posted on April 29, 2001 05:19:50 PM new
My computer is losing 15-20 minutes per day and I don't have a clue as to why. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a Presario, Pentium III, Win98.
posted on April 29, 2001 05:22:27 PM new
Hi there BonnieD,
It could be your CPU clock which is very cheap to fix - I've had this same trouble on my pc and this fixed it - I'd call Compaq first and see if it's covered under your warranty, if not, you can pick these up at any store like Wal-Mart or Radio Shack for less than $5.00.
posted on April 29, 2001 05:50:46 PM new
Move over for a computer technician!
Bonne, as to how easy and what to do with your computer in this situation depends upon the design of the computer's "Motherboard". That's the big green electrical circuit board sitting inside your computer that everything eventually attaches to.
Sara is correct that on some motherboards it is a simply a matter of changing a large watch battery. You need to open up your computer and have a tiny jeweler's phillips (crosspoint) screwdriver to remove usually one tiny screw that holds the flat, shinney battery in place. Take that battery down to Radio Shack or simular place and ask for the Camera version if there is one. You see, just like regular flashlight batteries, watch batteries comes in different strengths as well and the ones meant for Cameras last the longest and don't cost a whole lot more than the short-lived ones do.
The other problem is that there is also an internal battery inside of one of the chips on the motherboard known as the CMOS (see-moss). This chip always comes with an internal battery and it too can be depleted, which is what the outside watch battery is meant for: it keeps the inside battery going on longer.
It has been my experience that 50% of the time, changing the watch battery works just fine. The other 50% will require you to get the CMOS changed, and that part can cost up to about $100 (but usually about half when repair shops change them). And other designs can make other problems appear that I can't predict.
Here's what I suggest:
1) try to change the watch battery on the motherboard if there is one - most have one. It is very easy to find and to replace - that's the idea behind it. And its a cheap fix as well.
2) If that doesn't work, take it into someplace to have the CMOS changed if you are not trained to replace IC chips. The CMOS' used these days are not soldered to the motherboard but fit into a socket that is soldered to the board instead, which allows it to be changed easily. But unless you are carefull, you can twist a metal pin badly or give the chip a slight shock of static electricity and it will be all over.
Now, you might be tempted to just let things go. Don't. If it is the watch battery, your CMOS' internal battery will drain faster and your will not be able to use your computer. Likewise, if it is the CMOS internal battery going dead in the computer, your computer's days are numbered until you get it fixed.
posted on April 29, 2001 08:07:28 PM new
Borillar,
Thank you for your reply. I changed a battery (watch type) in a previous computer and it was a fairly simple process. I will try that first and if it does not take care of the problem, I will take it to the local service center.
