Motherboard BIOS Problem

[Toppack]

Hello,
I recently acquired a Motherboard with a problem.
(the mobo is a MSI 890fxa-gd70)
 The Clock/calendar does not operate and changes made in the BIOS will not save.
 I replaced the battery, reset BIOS and tested battery socket and determined that battery-voltage is getting to BIOS chip.
 I can not find any bad solder connections at IC.
 The Mobo jumper is in proper location.
It's an intermittent problem, with about 1 out of 10 bootups loading BIOS normally,
 I was wondering if you knew of anything else that could cause this problem?
Thanks,

[patio]

See if you can locate a replacement EEPROM for it...it's probably soldered in...
Also try another CMOS battery...had 1 off the shelf DOA last month...and i almost wrote the board off as bad.

[Toppack]

Thanks for the reply.
As I said, I have already replaced the battery
and I have located a replacement BIOS chip that I could order,
but I was hopeing to find an easier fix suggestion, than replacing the chip,   
since that may not be the intermittent cause of the problem.

Those small soldered chips are very difficult to replace without damaging something. 

[Raptor]

Diagnose your BIOS ROM with PC Check: http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/pccheck.html

[patio]

As I said, I have already replaced the battery

Which is why i suggested this: 

Also try another CMOS battery...had 1 off the shelf DOA last month...and i almost wrote the board off as bad.

[Toppack]

Diagnose your BIOS ROM with PC Check: http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/pccheck.html

Thanks, but It appears that this and all other diagnostic programs do Not test the 'Save' ability of the BIOS. 
(which is where the problem is)
Most only determine if the IC is there and collect the type/version data about it.

[Raptor]

Thanks, but It appears that this and all other diagnostic programs do Not test the 'Save' ability of the BIOS. 
(which is where the problem is)
Most only determine if the IC is there and collect the type/version data about it.

My version of PC Check checks the ROM for defects if I recall properly. I haven't used it in a while.

[Toppack]

Also try another CMOS battery...had 1 off the shelf DOA last month...and i almost wrote the board off as bad.

All 3 batteries I tried read 3.0 to 3.2 volts, under load in socket.

[Toppack]

My version of PC Check checks the ROM for defects if I recall properly. I haven't used it in a while.

Is there a trial-version that can be downloaded, so I can 'check it out' ?
That appears to be Very Expensive software! 

[Raptor]

Is there a trial-version that can be downloaded, so I can 'check it out' ?

I don't think they do trials. I think that if you are creative, you can find the software and "trial" it. 

[Toppack]

I don't think they do trials. I think that if you are creative, you can find the software and "trial" it. 

I think I'll have to Keep looking for Another solution.