Change CMOS battery

You need to copy the settings in setup as they will return to default when you remove the battery. You may be able to print these using the Print Scrn(Screen) button. After you replace the battery you will need to re-enter the settings. The battery should have a number on it, you should be able to find one at any computer or electronics store.

Fred,
I assume you're talking about the Windows clock. You don't mention what version you're running but troubleshooting this problem is pretty much the same with all versions (XP being the exception) of Windows that the average home computer user is likely to have. Does the clock update itself to the correct time when the computer is restarted or cold booted? This is important because if it does then your CMOS battery is OK. The operating system clock synchronizes itself with the BIOS clock every time it starts running. I could post a lot more things to check but this Dell KB article pretty much covers everything.

I have a 1999 computer and got a notice that the battery is low and the comp. won't work. I want to replace the battery but when I removed the tower case cover, I have no idea what the motherboard looks like or where the battery is located on it. Any help would be appreciated. Frank

SYS Computer 0001 Jr. Mid Case, TX Pro Motherboard P166 MMX CPU,
Heatsink, 2:x 16 EDO RAM, 4.3 Gig Hard Drive, 1.44 Floppy, Win. 95, OSR2 Full Operating System,
CD ROM AT API CD ROM DRIVE 24 X CD ROM, Wavetable Sound Card Harmony 133.6 K Rockwell ACF VFM Modem 33.6 Modem, 2MG 3-D TV PCI VIDEO CARD. 5 Pin, 104 Key
Window's 95 Keyboard, 2or3 Button Serial Mouse, AC 6 outlet w/modem surge, Sound Image Jr. QX-

Frank,
I answered this question for you yesterday. The motherboard is the big green circuit board that all your expansion cards, memory, storage devices, power supply, etc. are plugged into. If you don't see the CMOS [CR2032] battery after a visual inspection then you may need to move some cables out of the way as one may be covering it up. On most motherboards I've seen the battery is near the bottom right corner (closest to the front of the chassis).

Sorry I am so much trouble! I just don't know what I am looking for. I don't know if it is round, square, plugs in or screws in or if it has a cap over it.