Computer starts intermittently, date and time reset when it does boot

[brettric]

Hi, I have an issue I can use some assistance with... I know this is lengthy, but just trying to provide all information...

A couple days ago, I shut my computer (~ 3 year old Sony Vaio VGN-AW125J, Windows XP SP2) down and soon after tried to restart. The power light flashed a couple times then went dark. No fan or anything else started up.

I left the (main) battery in, but unplugged, and retried it the next day. It started fine... However the date/time were reset to Dec 31, 2007.

Once powered up, I experienced no issues with random restarts or shutting down.

I closed the top today (standby), went to open it back up, and it wouldn't start again (same indication as before).

I let it sit for a while and retried starting, once again it started up and once again the date/time had to be reset...

I believe the issue has something to do with the CMOS battery, once it gathers enough of a static charge with the power off, it is able to support a powering up.

Does this train of thought make sense? Are there any other potential issues that may be causing this?  I do not think that it is the motherboard since it has restarted after a period of rest.

I am hesitant to try to restart to see if the BIOS time is reset as well, I am assuming it is...

Thank you for your thoughts,
Brett

[Computer_Commando]

Yes, it's the CMOS battery.  Resetting of date after power off is a clear indication.  CMOS battery is what keeps the clock going.
All desktops use CR-2032 as do many laptops.  Most newer laptops have an access port for this battery.

Your computer:  http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=VGNAW125J&LOC=3
Your manual:  http://www.docs.sony.com/release/VGNAW100series.pdf

I scanned all 220 pgs, useless!!

If this one is anything like yours, big job!!!
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/how-take-apart-sony-vaio-vgn-sz-series-laptop/


More Info:
CMOS battery is a special, which is likely why it failed in 3 years.
http://microdream.co.uk/sony-vaio-vgn-aw-series-cmos-battery.html
Sony Vaio VGN-AW Series CMOS Battery

[brettric]

Thank you Computer Commando! Will let you know how it goes...

[Computer_Commando]

I do not like these Sony Vaio Laptops.  Very little is easily user serviceable.  At least once a week, someone comes here with a problem similar to yours, on some, removing the hard drive, entails dissassembly of the laptop.  Reminds me of some cars where you had to pull the engine to change a spark plug.

[lectrocrew]

Reminds me of some cars where you had to pull the engine to change a spark plug.

I agree. I've been turning wrenches for almost 40 years and would love to see a national holiday where all mechanics get to take out their frustration toward the engineers that design this stuff.

And after reading the info in your link I can see computer engineers are no more forgiving for the service tech than automotive engineers! 
 Good luck brettric 

[brettric]

I agree. I've been turning wrenches for almost 40 years and would love to see a national holiday where all mechanics get to take out their frustration toward the engineers that design this stuff.

And after reading the info in your link I can see computer engineers are no more forgiving for the service tech than automotive engineers! 
 Good luck brettric 

Funny that you posted this, I am an electrical engineer and used to work for Honda as a development/test engineer...  I can tell you though, in new model test/development, we fought these issues with the designers all the time.

My focus (and current job) is in Power (generation, transmission) though, not so much CompE, so I do appreciate the help! 

[Computer_Commando]

This shows the bottom of your computer:  http://www.docs.sony.com/release/994660200_VGNAWseries_HDD_CRU.pdf
This model is similar:  http://www.insidemylaptop.com/disassemble-sony-vaio-vgn-fw170j-series-laptop/
Here's the battery:


Why use a proprietary battery when they can use this:

Some models have an access door on the bottom (should be all models).

BTW, I was a controls engineer, from computers to switchgear, design, fab, test, troubleshoot, repair.