- What is CMOS?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- When to replace the CMOS battery<\/strong><\/a>
- Incorrect date and time<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Driver malfunction or peripherals stop working<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- CMOS errors<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to replace the CMOS battery<\/strong><\/a>
- Remove and install the CMOS battery<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Reset the BIOS settings<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat is CMOS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before showing you how to replace the CMOS battery, you need to know what CMOS is and how it works. The CMOS (<\/em>c<\/em><\/strong>omplementary <\/em>m<\/em><\/strong>etal-<\/em>o<\/em><\/strong>xide <\/em>s<\/em><\/strong>emiconductor)<\/em>, also referred to as NVRAM (non-volatile RAM)<\/em>, RTC (real-time clock)<\/em> or CMOS RAM, contains all BIOS settings and system hardware configurations, as well as the system date and time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of this information is stored on a chip powered by a battery located on your motherboard. The battery supplies power to the chip even when your computer is turned off (albeit very small amounts)<\/em>, so it\u2019s kind of like a car battery. Motherboard manufacturers commonly use CR2032 batteries<\/a> for the CMOS. These batteries are widely used for various devices such as guitar tuners<\/a>, watches, toys, and car keyfobs.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nRETURN TO TOP<\/a> \u2191<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhen to replace the CMOS battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>Viruses and malware may sometimes mimic symptoms of a bad CMOS battery, so before opening your computer and replacing the battery, make sure to run deep <\/strong>virus and malware scans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending how much you use your computer and whether or not you have the power supply switch turned on or off when you shut your computer down, CMOS batteries can last from 3-10 years. However, just like any other consumable item, they need to be replaced at some point. Here are some common symptoms of a failing or dead CMOS battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- We highly recommend using high-quality brand name CR2032 batteries<\/a> as they are much more reliable and will last longer than their generic counterparts.<\/li>
- It\u2019s not necessary to get rechargeable batteries, as your computer will not recharge them while powered on.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIncorrect date and time<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorrect date and time is probably the most common symptom of a failing CMOS battery. The time and date displayed on your taskbar will typically be wildly different than the current time and date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More often than not, it will reset to the time the motherboard was built and tested in the factory. For example, if today was August 27th, 2020, and the time was 11:32 AM, but your computer shows that it’s January 13th, 2005, and the time is 12 AM, that typically means the CMOS battery is failing or completely dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It might not be as drastic as our example above, but if you notice your date and time are off quite a bit on the Windows taskbar, reboot your computer, enter the BIOS and check the date and time there. If the time is off in the BIOS, update the date and time. The next time you turn on the computer, go back into the BIOS. If the date and time have reset again, this means you most likely have a failing or dead CMOS battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Creation](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/09\/Creation-Station-BIOS-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nNavigating the Creation Station v6 BIOS<\/a>\n\n\n\nLearn how to navigate the Creation Station BIOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn More \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDrivers malfunction or peripherals stop working<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it rarely happens, a failing CMOS battery can cause external devices connected via USB to start acting erratically even after reinstalling the hardware drivers. Issues like this are particularly true with computer peripherals like printers, keyboards, and mice.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/09\/Windows-Driver-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about how to update drivers on a PC<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"USB](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2013\/08\/USB-chipset-driver-update-featured-image@0.5x-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about how to update your PC’s USB 3.0 chipset drivers<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCMOS errors<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the last (and probably the easiest) <\/em>ways you can tell the CMOS battery needs to be replaced is if you receive one of these following errors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- CMOS Read Error<\/strong><\/li>
- CMOS checksum error<\/strong><\/li>
- CMOS Battery Failure<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you see one of those errors, leave your computer on for about a day, then reboot it. If the error goes away, that means the battery only lost some charge. This is especially true if you haven\u2019t powered the computer on in quite some time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember the car battery analogy from earlier? Well, just like a car battery, CMOS batteries slowly drain naturally. If left powered off too long, the battery won\u2019t hold enough charge. Sometimes, that \u201cjump-start\u201d can be all that\u2019s needed, but will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nRETURN TO TOP<\/a> \u2191<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to replace a CMOS battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Changing a CMOS battery is a pretty simple process. The battery is held in with a small metal retainer clip, so you\u2019ll need something such as a pencil or paperclip to push it lightly, so the battery pops out. Follow these steps to replace the CMOS battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take safety precautions beforehand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- Before replacing the battery, make sure that all external devices are disconnected, and that the computer is turned completely off (including the power switch) <\/em>and unplugged. <\/li>
- Let the computer sit for a few minutes to fully discharge, and be sure to ground yourself before touching the motherboard. If not, you may short out a circuit that can cause permanent damage to the computer.<\/li>
- If you do not <\/strong>feel comfortable performing this, please take it to a qualified professional.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTIP: <\/strong>These instructions apply to any Windows PC, but each motherboard BIOS is different. Please refer to your motherboard manufacturer\u2019s manual for navigation instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRemove and install the CMOS battery<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- Locate the thumbscrews on the back of the case, and loosen them. The thumb screws are spring loaded, so they won\u2019t come out all the way.
- CS400\u2019s and CS450\u2019s will have one thumbscrew, while the CS250 will have two.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Remove the small Phillips head screws located on each side of the panel. Once they\u2019re removed, slide the panel off.<\/li>
- Find the CMOS battery, which is located on the right side of the motherboard. It will look like a quarter.
- Take note of the orientation of the battery facing up (+ or -)<\/em>. On Creation Stations, the direction of the battery has the +<\/strong> (positive)<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>side facing up.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Use something small like a pencil, pen, or paperclip and carefully push the retainer clip to free the battery.<\/li>
- Wait approximately five minutes, then install the new battery in the same orientation that the previous battery was facing.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"CMOS](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/08\/Location-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLocation of the CMOS battery. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReset the BIOS settings<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the CMOS battery has been replaced on the Creation Station, you\u2019ll then need to reset the computer\u2019s BIOS settings. To do so, you\u2019ll need to reload the Creation Station BIOS settings profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- To get into the BIOS, press the Del <\/strong>key or F2 <\/strong>key repeatedly as soon as you turn the computer on. This will take you to the main screen.<\/li>
- Press the F7 <\/strong>key to switch to Advanced Mode<\/em>. <\/li>
- Navigate to Tool<\/strong>, then select Overclocking Profile<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Select CS4XXv6 <\/strong>from the Profile 1 status <\/em>dropdown.<\/li>
- Once the Profile has been loaded, exit out of the BIOS.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"BIOS](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/09\/BIOS-Tools-menu.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLoad the Creation Station BIOS settings within the Tool menu. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRelated content<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/05\/Reseat-RAM-hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about how to reseat RAM stick<\/a>s<\/a> on a Creation Station<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n - Press the F7 <\/strong>key to switch to Advanced Mode<\/em>. <\/li>
- Take note of the orientation of the battery facing up (+ or -)<\/em>. On Creation Stations, the direction of the battery has the +<\/strong> (positive)<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>side facing up.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- CMOS checksum error<\/strong><\/li>
- It\u2019s not necessary to get rechargeable batteries, as your computer will not recharge them while powered on.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Reset the BIOS settings<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Driver malfunction or peripherals stop working<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- When to replace the CMOS battery<\/strong><\/a>
![\"Thunderbolt](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/12\/Thunderbolt-Featured-image-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/06\/Windows-10-installation-featured-image-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/10\/Windows-Backup-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n