Video card or MB?

[ailiguan]

I am also having the same problem since yesterday. Also thinking that my video card is spoilt, I went to buy a new one. But then the problem still remained unsolved. I also thought that the culprit must be my motherboard.

Trying my luck, I replaced the CMOS battery with a new one, and voila my computer sprang to life again. I had been troubled by this since then: Can the problem really be the battery? It sounds so incredible, or is this just a temporary solution?

[Dias de verano]

How old is your motherboard?

[ailiguan]

Mine is reaching 3 years

[patio]

ailiguan it's best to start a new thread so it can recieve the proper attention.

[Dias de verano]

A battery can run down in 3 years

The Computerhope guide to CMOS says 10 years, but I saw this on another site...

These batteries are advertised to have a life span of five years.

While the life span of the battery might be five years under ideal circumstances, it's not advised to wait until the battery is dead to replace it. Remember that the battery is the only thing that keeps you from losing CMOS settings when you power down your PC.

If you do not replace the motherboard on PC for a long time, you should consider changing the battery every two or three years. Why change the battery so soon? The reason is simple - if you wait until the battery begins to die, your PC can forget its CMOS settings.

[macdad-]

ailiguan i have had this problem on my pc too. since i've had it ever since 2001 the intergrated video died as well as the CMOS battery so replace your CMOS battery.

[jester17]

I did but not with my computer. Good thought, I will see. Thanx!

Um.... Just throwing this out there but..... did you try another monitor?

[jester17]

Only 1 card was from E-Bay. The other one I bought new and have been using it for about a year now. Of course, right out of warranty.
 Question though. If it is just bad drivers how do I get it to boot to install the drivers?

[jester17]

about 1 year

How old is your motherboard?

[jester17]

This will sound really dumb but, does every computer have these batteries. I know a little about computers but that battery has never come up. I have no idea where to find it. Please help!! (>:

A battery can run down in 3 years

The Computerhope guide to CMOS says 10 years, but I saw this on another site...

These batteries are advertised to have a life span of five years.

While the life span of the battery might be five years under ideal circumstances, it's not advised to wait until the battery is dead to replace it. Remember that the battery is the only thing that keeps you from losing CMOS settings when you power down your PC.

If you do not replace the motherboard on PC for a long time, you should consider changing the battery every two or three years. Why change the battery so soon? The reason is simple - if you wait until the battery begins to die, your PC can forget its CMOS settings.

[Betaa]

Yes every computer does, it is located directly on the motherboard and is a little smaller than a quarter.

[Dias de verano]

For those who aren't American and may not know what a "quarter" is, here's a picture.

[jester17]

You are most helpfull, thanx!!!

For those who aren't American and may not know what a "quarter" is, here's a picture.

[jester17]

i changed out the cmos battery and that had no effect. i tried changing memory, another video card, another monitor and still nothing.any other thoughts

[Dias de verano]

any other thoughts

Motherboard RIP