 |
|
| Video and Audio], Broadcasting and podcasting Real Time Media On The Net | |
|
[description], Story, any other text you want to use. Your Computer Can't Keep Time by: Stephen Bucaro
A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate; for example, the date and time, the amount of memory installed, the number of drives and their configuration, and so on. In the early days of computers, either the user typed in this information each time the computer started, or it was set using DIP switches and jumpers. Today, computers store this information in a CMOS chip that uses a small battery to retain the information when the computer is shut off. CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) is type of chip that consumes very little power; therefore, while the computer is turned off, the battery discharges very slowly. But the battery will totally discharge if you leave your computer turned off for a year or so. Even if you turn your computer on every day, the battery is designed to last only a couple of years. Occasionally a battery will fail prematurely. Today's plug-and-play computers can detect most of the necessary settings, but if your CMOS battery is dead, your computer will not be able to retain the date and time. The computer will also lose any custom settings, for example, the boot sequence. If you set a password in CMOS, you may be locked out of the computer. If the CMOS battery does fail, you might receive the message "System Configuration Lost" when you start the computer. It would be wise to record all the CMOS settings as a precaution. To record the CMOS settings, watch for an on-screen prompt when you first start your computer. The prompt tells you to press a key, usually the Del or F2, to enter CMOS. To enter the CMOS configuration utility, you have to press the indicated key while the message is on the screen. After the CMOS configuration screen appears, follow the instructions provided to page through all the screens and record all the settings. If your computer loses its time setting overnight, the CMOS battery may not be holding a charge. The CMOS battery is located inside the case on the motherboard. Changing the battery is usually a job for a computer technician. In fact, a layman might not even be able to find the battery. If you want to locate the CMOS battery in your computer, be aware that a static discharge from your hands can damage components inside the case. After taking proper precautions, open the case and look on the motherboard for a battery. If you have a diagram of your motherboard, locate the battery on the diagram first. Different motherboards use different types of batteries. The battery may be shaped like a barrel or a coin. Some motherboards use a component that resembles a chip which contains the CMOS and the battery (made by DALLAS or Benchmarq). Batteries come in different voltages, so make sure you get an exact replacement. Sometimes the battery is mounted in a holder. Sometimes it is soldered to the motherboard. De-soldering and re-soldering a battery is usually a job for a computer technician. An inexperienced solderer can cause a lot of damage. If you want to try to do it yourself, first practice on an obsolete circuit board. You may change your mind. If the CMOS battery has failed because it's too old, this might be an opportunity to upgrade your motherboard. When upgrading a motherboard, the most important considerations are to make sure the new motherboard is the correct form factor for your case, and that the new motherboard has the correct bus connector slots for your expansion boards. Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.
internet
The links will take you to web sites we judge have been created by experts in the field of internet, and that will become obvious to you also as soon as you arrive at the sites. However we know that everyone is different in their internet requirements and suggest if you don't find what you are looking for at the above sites, visit Yahoo which is arguably the best search engine on the net, and then perform a search on internet. We might mention that yahoo is by no means your only search engine option when you are looking for internet information, other search engines are google alta vista, hotbot, msn, etc which should all produce good internet results. Real Time Media On The Net Index
|
Main Menu News for 23-Apr-26 Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Source: BBC News - Home Links Links Links |
Copyright © 2005. Name of Site here. Last Updated: Thursday, 23-Apr-2026 00:02:42 MDT.