Re: CMOS Problem with ABIT KD7A MB

I still can't get it to boot. Power is definitely on. I took out the battery and it measured 3.02v. I'm pretty sure that's the new battery I bought about 8-10 weeks ago. I can't find the other one. I measured the MB powered up voltages as follows:
Orange: 3.38v (it was a bit tricky doing this)
Purple (blue?): no way to get at it except via the 20 pin socket
red: 5.5v
yellow: 12.05v

I think it's time to give up on this board. Fry's in Sacramento is having a sale on MBs this weekend, so this might be a good time to replace the 3-4 year old ABIT KD7A. I'd like to preserve my AMD Athlon XP (2000/2200?), but that's probably not possible. Maybe I can preserve the 256M, but probably not. So it looks like I'll get to reformat my HD, and re-install W2K, and all my apps.

W. Watson wrote:
I'm back. I can no longer boot up again.
I'll nevertheless check the voltages as described below with my DVM.

w_tom wrote:
On Jul 17, 1:35 pm, "W. Watson" <wolf_tra...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
BIOS setup shows 2.99v.

As Franc Zabkar noted, a useful procedure is to measure that battery
with a 3.5 digit multimeter. Even at 2.99 volts, a battery would not
create CMOS problems. Not only measure the new battery (to confirm it
is OK under load) while still attached to motherboard. Also measure
the old battery to learn if that was reason for failure.

Meanwhile, also measure voltages on one orange, purple, red, and
yellow wire from power supply to motherboard. Those voltages must
exceed 3.23, 4.87, and 11.7 volts. Also report those numbers here
since those numbers may contain information you don't realize.

Those four voltages should be taken both with computer powering up
AND with a full load of peripherals. Access all peripherals
simultaneously - multitasking. For example, download from the
internet while playing a movie from CD-Rom (so that video subsystem is
processing complex graphics), while doing searches on both hard drive
and floppy, while using the modem. What are those voltages when
everything is working simultaneously? Again, useful information.

Once we have exonerated the power supply system (yes, power supply
is only one system component), then move on to other suspects. The
power supply system having been removed from the 'unknown' category
and located in a 'definitively good' category. Even with a new
power supply, that system is currently still 'unknown'.

What did event (system) log report? Computers now see problems,
record them, and work around those problems. How would you know?
That useful history would be in system logs.




--
Wayne Watson (Nevada City, CA)

Web Page: <speckledwithStars.net>
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Major startup issue
    ... this problem I had downloaded a software application from the microsoft web ... checking my system that it may have tested a bios setting and disrupted the ... PC use different voltages). ... In a laptop, the external charger and the battery ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.general)
  • Re: Major startup issue
    ... I had a usb hub for over a year with no ... PC use different voltages). ... In a laptop, the external charger and the battery ... Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.general)
  • Re: Major startup issue
    ... It does act like a hardware problem. ... all computer circuits run on low voltage DC. ... PC use different voltages). ... In a laptop, the external charger and the battery ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.general)
  • Re: need general advice
    ... Please do take many pictures before you work on it, so that you can rebuild ... it would be very rare for a radio of that age not to have ... Batteries were often hooked in series to obtain the voltages and it was ... common for a battery box containing many battery packs to take care of the ...
    (rec.radio.amateur.boatanchors)
  • Re: 12SI alternator troublshooting: DOH: the ignominious denoument
    ... I would think your battery would be damaged with voltages that high. ... My old 67 Barracuda had a big, vac gauge on the dash marked with ranges for power and fuel economy. ... It was my favorite gauge of all time and gave me an awareness of the most efficient technique of using the accelerator pedal as well as engine problems. ...
    (rec.autos.tech)