The Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor ,known as CMOS is an on-board battery semiconductor chip that stores information in the computer, it can also be referred to as (RTC) real time clock, CMOS RAM or (NVRAM) non-volatile RAM.
This small metallic object, helps to store information like, system hard ware settings and system time and date.
Cmos battery comes in different forms, some are soldered on the board, fix in a small round plastic case or comes with wire where it is fix into a small port in the board, whichever form you find them, they both perform the same functions.
How long does the cmos battery last.
The CMOS battery can last up to 10years which is it standard life, though this may vary depending on the environment the computer is and how it's been use.
When the CMOS battery fails, system hardware settings, date and time won't be saved if the system is turn off, it will automatically reset the system settings, date and time to factory settings.
Also read
Other signs of a faulty cmos battery
1.incorrect date and time settings
2. PC occasionally turns off or doesn't start
3.drivers stop working
4.Error while booting e.g CMOS check sum error
5. other hardware issues like computer not detecting mouse,keyboard or printer.
how to replace the cmos battery
The CMOS battery is located on the motherboard of your computer, some computer demands you take away all it parts before you can access it while some requires you take away the ram/wireless cover at the back of your computer to locate the CMOS battery .
The soldered CMOS is a difficult to remove as you will need a soldered iron to remove and place it back. To take out the one in a small round black plastic, use a screew driver to push the CMOS from the little gap in the plastic, it will pull off, take it out and replace with a new one. To remove the one with wire fix to a clip, all you have to do is pull it from the pin and get another CMOS battery with 3/2 face pin, depending on the one you take out.
Note that, your computer will automatically switch on itself when plug to a power adapter , if you take out the cmos battery.
