Constant bios error

A Google search for "CMOS Checksum Error" produced numerous links and suggestions including the following more than once:

If you had recently updated your BIOS of the computer, the CMOS values could have been reset. Enter the CMOS setup and re-enter all the appropriate values

Even if you haven't updated your BIOS, it would be a good idea to make sure all values are set correctly. Other than this, other suggestions were to remove all plug in cards and see if the system will boot (and if it does, reinstall the cards one at time and restart the system to see if it will boot up ok (and if yes) and then another card. At a minimum I would recomment you physically remove and re-insert every plug in card as well as the sticks of RAM in your system.

BIOS BIOS baby!!!

Upgrade your BIOS to the most recent ones and lots of problems solved

You posted -

"Called Dell tech support MANY times. They have replace everything. The motherboard twice, they have replace the memory, the video cards. The last time the tech that came to replace the parts, turned on my computer to make sure it was working. He missed the set up menu so he restarted the computer and the bios error came up."

Are you saying the check sum error showed up after the last parts replacement by the Dell tech and was NOT the initial reason for the motherboard, memory and other component changes?

And what parts did he replace prior to restarting the system and the check sum error showing up?

Forgot to ask you his question. Now that the computer is up and running. I am experiencing a wierd problem with my monitor. I'd like to hear your thoughts.

When I turn on the computer, I turn on the monitor as well (ironically dell 19"). It displays the dell screen with bios info, it displays the Xp screen loading, but when it is suppose to display the last screen (where you select the profile you want) it goes to sllep mode? Like when you leave the computer on for a long time, after the screen saver, it goes black. And you wake it up with a touch of a key or move the mouse. Well the only way I can get a picture, is to disconnect the monitor from the computer and plug it back in. Then it works fine. The monitor has VGA, there is an DVI connector I plug the wire into, then into the 8800gt. Is my monitor bad? the connector? or the video card?

This was the second time, the same tech came to replace parts. The 1st time I was getting the floppy fail, cmos checksum error. Dell replaced the mother board and 2 hard drives. Subsequently, the bios error would appear about 2-3 weeks. I would go into the bios and disable the floppy, re enable the hard drives for my raid 1 (mirrored). (I should have just calle for another replacement board.) Computer would work fine for a week, and then bios error again. Again, go into bios and change the default settings to what i need. Eventually, the going into bios would not work. Thus calling Dell tech support (joke) numerous times. Over and over they would just tell me to reload XP, until I told them I wasn't wasting my time reloading. The error would be back. So the latest tech support call, they sent/replaced the motherboard (again), sent 4 new sticks of  memory (4gbs),  replace two 8800gt video cards (running SLI).

Ok, the day of replacement. The tech replaces all the parts. I decided to go raid 1. Now I need to reload Xp on the C drive. I went to put in disk. We mished the F12 promt. so we had to shutdown & restart the computer. As soon as he hit the power button, the imfamous fan noise that doesn't go away. I knew I had that bios error already. So just 5-10 minutes after evrything was replaced. The bios error returned.

I borowed a laptop (a dell laptop, such irony)from a buddy and looked up possible reasons. The support web site says Cmos Check sum error =  mother board failure or the RTC battery needs replacement. So what I did this weekend, I had my buddy re install evrything Xp, all the drivers from Nvidia's website (as much as i could, they have the laest drivers from Sept). We use to experience a lot of blue screen errors will loading the drivers. But it seems like the new driver on the site fixed a lot of problems. But it was smooth loading all the way through. I also replace the RTC battery on the motherboard. And so far no bios error.

Thanks for you help and suggestions. If you want me to let you know when the computer dies again, let me know. But hopefully, it won't come to that. Dell support gave me such a headache, and the solution might be as simple as a little watch battery. It seems Dell will hire anyone. Good luck and thanks again!

From your description it appears the monitor functions while in the default VGA mode but won't once XP begins loading drivers and application settings during boot up. Have to ask - did you install the driver for your monitor model on your last resinstall of XP? Aside from this, I'd suggest you disable all power saving functions via Control Panel | Power Options. Make sure you have Home/Office selected for power schemes, then select "Never" in the three settings boxes and see if this helps.  

Have the video card and drivers been replaced?