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Resolved Question

Cmos Battery - Windows Won't Load

Nov 13, 2014 6:29AM PST

I have an HP Compaq dc7800p small form factor desktop pc. Anytime it turned on, it gave me the error about the time not being set and that the battery may need to be changed. I changed the battery to the same exact kind that was in before, same standard 3v battery. It won't load windows past the "windows loading" screen. At first, I thought this was just a bios setting, but for some reason, when the old battery is in the pc, it boots up windows. It just wont load windows with any other battery in it. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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ajk62089 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Just a thought
Nov 16, 2014 10:20PM PST

You didn't mention whether or not you set the clock to current date and time. That can sometimes be an issue. As well, many BIOS have a failsafe mode and you might try that. It could be that Windows cannot configure some piece of hardware it thinks it hasn't seen. Worst case I've had to do to resurrect an old machine was to re-flash the BIOS to the same or newer version. It would be a last ditch attempt, however.

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Update
Nov 21, 2014 11:08PM PST

Well, I ended up ordering a new set of batteries and volt meter. Tested it all out, booted windows this time, but it is still giving me the error that the battery may be bad. I updated the time and date with the server each time and corrected it all before rebooting to test. I may have to fix the bios like you(Steven Haninger) mentioned. My concern is that one of our employees has been cutting off power to the pcs with a switch rather than shutting them down properly. I don't know if that could cause something like this or not, but they were freshly ordered pcs so I wouldn't expect this to happen within a month or so. Thank you all for the replies! I greatly appreciate it.

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Solved
Nov 21, 2014 11:38PM PST

I ended up updating my bios and its keeping the correct time. Thanks again everyone!

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Good to hear and thanks for the report
Nov 22, 2014 11:27PM PST

I have only seen a re-flash of the BIOS work on a rare occasion. I had one MB that, no matter what I did, would never get past the BIOS claiming some error. The battery was changed even though it was well within tolerance and it still wouldn't work. It was an older board and already had the most current BIOS but I flashed it again and the problem went away. Stuff happens and there's not always a logical explanation.

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Answer
Link to service manual
Nov 13, 2014 6:51AM PST
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Cmos Battery - Windows Won't Load
Nov 14, 2014 12:35AM PST

I did have the + up so I at least had that correct lol. I did use two batteries from working pcs, one was the same exact model. I can't find my volt meter but may pick one up later.

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Also in supplied manual was a note about
Nov 14, 2014 12:44AM PST

Resetting the cmos values but the fact the batteries were used and no measurement made means they are suspect. Many PCs work with low or old batteries so that fact doesn't add any value.
Bob

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Answer
Answer
Nov 30, 2014 2:10PM PST

Change the CMOS battery of your PC