Cmos display type wrong

alvinboobar · #1 August 27th, 2006, 09:17 PM

I cannot get onto my other computer. When I switch it on it checks the ram then it beeps 3 times and says "cmos display type wrong press f1 to run set up or f2 to load default values and continue" If I press f1 or f2 the same thing happens it says enter current password. I have never had a password on this computer. It isnt connected to the internet so I know its not a virus. It uses windows 98.

**Miz** · #2 August 27th, 2006, 10:50 PM

If this is not a laptop, shut it down, unplug the power cord from the back and open the case.

Look on the motherboard (the main circuit board everything is plugged into) for the battery. It looks like a large watch battery, about the size of a nickel or maybe a dime.

Once you find it, study it to figure out how to disengage the clip that holds it in. Don't force it and break it.

Once you have it unclipped, study it again so you'll know which side goes up when you put it back.

Leave the battery out for a while....sometimes 10 minutes works, sometimes it requires an hour or more...to drain the BIOS memory...and the password along with it.

Replace the battery, engage the clip, plug the computer in and start it up. You make get a checksum error but don't worry about. Just set the BIOS to default values and see if that sorts things out.

Do not try this on a laptop unless you are comfortable with disassembling laptops and/or you know for sure there are no anti-theft features present.

alvinboobar · #3 August 28th, 2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks for the reply, but is there no easier way than opening up the case. Im not very confident of doing this.

**Miz** · #4 August 28th, 2006, 07:55 PM

Since it sounds like the BIOS (Setup) has been passworded, the only other way is to find out who put the password in and get him or her to tell you what it is.

Jim Smith · #5 August 29th, 2006, 03:14 AM

Because you cannot boot the PC, you must open the case and do what Miz suggests, or, unlikely, find out the password, or, throw the PC away. Why not try opening the case? Can be difficult to open the case, be patient (not one of my virtues).

alvinboobar · #6 August 29th, 2006, 06:39 PM

Opened the case up and found the battery. Followed your instructions and everything worked ok. Thanks for your help.

**Miz** · #7 August 29th, 2006, 09:12 PM

You're welcome. Thank you for posting back with the update.