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Dimension 8300 - boot-up and clock battery problems?
My desktop Dimension 8300, running Windows XP Home SP3, Bios A07, is now 5 years old.
After switching on I get the Dell Screen which then goes black, followed by 2 audible "squeaks" and then the system freezes. However, if I wipe my hand sideways right to left across the keyboard the loading process continues and completes successfully 9 times out of 10, except that the clock date & time always need resetting. I understand that this could mean that the internal button battery needs replacing, but I can't access the F2 facility at switch-on in order to get the system setup settings which I will need to input after I replace the battery. Is there any other way of finding the setup info before I remove the battery?
Are the system freezing, keyboard workaround and the clock/battery symptoms all part of the same issue? Also, despite using the proper closedown procedure at the end of each session, the next time I turn on the power at the wall socket, the PC powers up without me pressing the button at the front of the tower.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, or is it time for a new machine?
Regards,
olnewby
Davet50
14.4K Posts
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May 31st, 2009 08:00
Replace your system battery. It is a CR2032 Coin cell battery that you can pick up almost anywhere that sells watch batteries.
Instructions for replacing it is HERE
<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
olnewby
4 Posts
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June 12th, 2009 14:00
Thanks, Dave, but if you read my post the problem is:
...... I can't access the F2 facility at switch-on in order to get the system setup settings which I will need to input after I replace the battery. Is there any other way of finding the setup info before I remove the battery?
Any ideas?
Cheers, olnewby
Mary G
4 Operator
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20.1K Posts
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June 12th, 2009 14:00
The only reason to look at the settings beforehand is to know what changes you made to the defaults so you can recreate them. Go ahead and replace the battery and then check the bios for any incorrect settings. There probably won't be any. Look at it this way--it might be something bigger than a $2 battery. Normally, the cmos battery would not cause all of the strange symptoms you describe. The time and date loss is the usual symptom. You might be right about time for a new computer. Your manual has the settings. Check it out online at Support--HERE.
<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>