Checksum error !!!

[wap3]

Hello

My grandad is getting an error message when he boots up windows, during the part where loads of information flashes on the screen.

I have no idea, cos I am no good with things like this. Does anyone know what this error message means and how to resolve it.


CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR DEFAULTS LOADED

PRESS F1 TO CONTINUE, DEL TO ENTER SETUP


:confused:

[mouse]

Your Grandad isn't an overclocker is he? We get these mesages all the time when things go pear shaped. Should be fixable. ;)

Try entering setup and saving settings, exit and you should reboot automatically, failing that...

Press and hold [insert] on boot, in theory this will load defaults, you may have to hammer it a bit or just hold. Failing that...

Do you know how to clear the cmos on his motherboard? Usually there's a jumper however it can also be done by taking the coin cell off and leaving a while for caps to drain.

[wap3]

Hey mouse,

LOL !! No i dont think he is an overclocker !!

When you say enter set-up do you mean the bios ?? Is that what it is referring to when it says "press del to enter set-up"

What is CMOS ?? Sorry not very good with technical hardware stuff.

How could this error have occurred in the first place ??

thanks for your help mouse

[mouse]

Setup = bios

The cmos memory must have become corrupt somehow, a checksum is used on boot to validate bios settings against those of a previous boot attempt. This memory can screw up if the battery needs replacing or if unworkable bios settings are used. Do you know how old the system/motherboard is?

[wap3]

Oh !!

I am not certain but the computer is no more than three years old I think.

If I enter the bios when the message appears and choose save, then exit. If it then works ok after rebooting then thats good.

But if not does it mean the memory board is buggered ??

[mouse]

The board's memory will probably be okay, there is however a coin battery that might need replacing; this provides the onboard nvram with juice while the PC is off. It should be held in place by a small arm and is probably located next to a chip with a hologram-ish sticker [the bios chip]. You can't miss it ;)

[wap3]

Ok great.

So lets get this in a nice list of what to do.

1. Enter bios and save settings, reboot and see what happens.
2. Failing that. Press and hold [insert] on boot
2. If this fails drain the cmos by moving the jumper or removing the coin battery for a while.
3. If this fails then get a new coin battery and try that.

That about what I should try mouse ??

:thumbsup:

[mouse]

Yep, Maplin would probably have appropriate coin cells if there's a local one.

[wap3]

Thanks mouse for helping and the really quick responses.

I will let you know how I get on when I go round.

:thumbsup: