[SOLVED] BIOS getting reset every time I start my computer

mohitdaksh · 09-04-2010, 09:39 AM

Hello, I am back with a new problem

When I start my computer sometimes I get an error that my floppy drive isn't working and the boot process is halted. So I disabled the floppy disk seek. But Once in a while (sometimes almost every time I start) the BIOS settings are reset and I have to disable floppy disk seek and reorder boot device list again. I have checked the battery and it's fine. What else can be the problem?

Thanks

14moose · 09-04-2010, 10:05 AM

Hi -

It definitely sounds like the battery. Perhaps try a different battery (even if the old one "seems" OK)?

Q: What is the motherboard type/model? How old is it?

Q: Have you tried booting to DOS from the floppy? Does the same thing happen?

mohitdaksh · 09-04-2010, 10:26 AM

I'll try a new battery.
The motherboard is ASUS P4B-M.
I'll try booting DOS from floppy if it works.

One more thing I just got a new hard disk and a problem that appeared first to me that was related to my previous hard disk appeared again. The computer shows filesystem error during start up and direct me to the repair filesystem mode. Performing fsck got it to start for this time but I think the problem is with something else.. First I thought it was just a crappy hard disk because the old one was really old.

ronlau9 · 09-04-2010, 11:45 AM

You state you're battery is OK
You got a new hard disk .
Did you run a RAM (memory) check ?

mlangdn · 09-04-2010, 12:08 PM

I had a similar problem once - the floppy was bad. Sometimes it was ok, most of the time not. I replaced the floppy drive.

mohitdaksh · 09-04-2010, 12:29 PM

Yes I had run memory check and replaced a faulty RAM earlier. I don't know why all of a sudden everything has gone bad.

Quote:

I had a similar problem once - the floppy was bad. Sometimes it was ok, most of the time not. I replaced the floppy drive.

Do I still have to change my floppy drive even if I don't need to use it?

crosstalk · 09-04-2010, 12:58 PM

In my understanding, you can just unplug the ribbon cable that goes to the floppy drive. Personally, I wouldn't even remove it -- it's easier to just unplug it just to test if that fixes the problem.

There's a possibility the BIOS needs a floppy drive, but I doubt that. It'd be obvious if that was the case.

I hope this helps.

Drakeo · 09-04-2010, 02:05 PM

If bios always resets after a cold boot there is two reasons one the bios clock battery is dead. two on some mother boards have a bios clock jumper that is set to reset bios.

those are what cause bios to reset on purpose. after that it could be a loose ram chip or a loose pci device.

ronlau9 · 09-04-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohitdaksh

Do I still have to change my floppy drive even if I don't need to use it?

Check you're BIOS on my Asus I can just put the floppy search at off
So it did try to find a floppy .
And that is good because I do not own a floppy drive.

mohitdaksh · 09-04-2010, 11:34 PM

I tested the RAM with memtest and it is also fine.. I'll try to get a new battery in a day or two and report the status back..

Thanks all for your support!!!

mohitdaksh · 09-04-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

If bios always resets after a cold boot there is two reasons one the bios clock battery is dead. two on some mother boards have a bios clock jumper that is set to reset bios.

I checked the battery and it read 3.12 volts. Can there still be a chance that something is wrong with it?

ronlau9 · 09-06-2010, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohitdaksh

I checked the battery and it read 3.12 volts. Can there still be a chance that something is wrong with it?

How do you check it ?
With a voltmeter than yes it can .
You should use a battery checker , you will find a battery check on a good voltmeter or as a standalone checker .

14moose · 09-06-2010, 02:38 AM

True fact

:

Quote:

http://forums.computershopper.com/showthread.php?t=409

Measuring battery voltage is very seldom a good indication of the condition of the battery itself.

More good advice:

Quote:

Battery voltage must really be measured "under load" before you can say whether or not it will hold it's voltage. To do this would require that the voltage be measured while in the circuit and under normal conditions, which can be risky for an unskilled person. You must also know where in the circuitry to make the measurement and you must use a very high impedance voltmeter.

The first indication of a battery problem is usually shown in the RTC (real time clock). This is because the RTC usually takes a bit more power than the CMOS RAM (and the fact that most CMOS RAM's can be maintained by a latent charge). If you notice major time errors between turn on/off's, then this is a good indication of battery failure. Remember that the RTC is powered by the main power supply after turn-on and that this time accuracy is maintained after turn-off by the CMOS battery.

The batteries should stay alive for at least 3 to 6 years (mine is over 6 year old now and still working).

And still more good advice:

Quote:

Other things to check for are loose or tarnished battery connectors. If they are not loose, clean them using a simple pencil eraser (no harsh abrasives please).

I guess the one other thing that could (should) be checked, it to be sure that you have the latest version of the BIOS drivers.

H_TeXMeX_H · 09-06-2010, 04:57 AM

Replace the CMOS battery, then report back if it still happens.

mohitdaksh · 09-06-2010, 08:53 AM

I just haven't got time to go and buy a new battery.. I will go in a day or two and update everyone... Thanks again.. You guys are great!!!