CMOS setting,will not retain date and time

[worgeordie]

I bought a new barebones Aopen D7000 ,fitted,Memory,CPU,and SSD ,

took it to local store and he installed Wn 7, i also gave him the disc that

came with the PC ,and was called drivers and utilities,he did not use that

as he said it was not easy ?, and installed his own .

When I boot the PC it fails, so I have to go into the BIOS settings and enter

the date and time,click AVANCED and change settings to AHCI,then everything

boots ok, ,the first thing i did was fit new battery,but that did not fix it.

I looked on Aopen web page for this model, and they have 2 new BIOS settings

1 for 2011, and 1 for 2013, the default setting on the one i have always reverts

to 2010, so what i would really like to know if I (well not me,could brick it),flashed

(is that the right term),a newer BIOS, say the 2013 one, would that fix this problem ?

or is there an other way if that would not work? Apart from this little problem the

PC works great ,mostly streaming to Tv. leaving it plugged in is not an option as

i shut everything off a night time before going to bed.

Any help would be most appreciated,

regards Worgeordie

[RichCor]

Is the PROM jumper, used to clear CMOS setting, in the correct position (ie: in the normal position, not connected on the CLEAR pins)

edit: What's the model # again, the AOpen site doesn't have anything for D7000

Edited April 16, 2014 by RichCor

[Chicog]

Have you checked the CMOS battery? It might be new to you but it could have left the factory a year ago.

Scratch that, I see you already bought a new one.

Did the utilities disk contain any diagnostic software?

Edited April 16, 2014 by Chicog

[Crossy]

Check the CMOS clear jumper as noted above, is there a 'remove before use' tag under the battery?

[longball53098]

I guess in the OP I am not clear about where this PC came from. You bought this barebones PC and then took to a local tech to install the software? Or the tech is the guy selling the PC also? Not clear for me. Any way, the tech that was loading the software did not see this problem during the software loading? I would think that the PC had to be re-booted several times in the loading process for Win 7 and the drivers. He never mentioned this? Sounds like a jumper issue as stated

[JSixpack]

If the above isn't helpful then do flash the BIOS. Nothing to lose.

[worgeordie]

I guess in the OP I am not clear about where this PC came from. You bought this barebones PC and then took to a local tech to install the software? Or the tech is the guy selling the PC also? Not clear for me. Any way, the tech that was loading the software did not see this problem during the software loading? I would think that the PC had to be re-booted several times in the loading process for Win 7 and the drivers. He never mentioned this? Sounds like a jumper issue as stated

AS long as leave it plugged in it will reboot no problem,unplug it and reverts to default date and time,

Sorry the model is a Aopen DE 70000

What I would really like to know if flashing with an up to date BIOS will fix ?

thanks regards Worgeordie

[Dork]

I guess in the OP I am not clear about where this PC came from. You bought this barebones PC and then took to a local tech to install the software? Or the tech is the guy selling the PC also? Not clear for me. Any way, the tech that was loading the software did not see this problem during the software loading? I would think that the PC had to be re-booted several times in the loading process for Win 7 and the drivers. He never mentioned this? Sounds like a jumper issue as stated

AS long as leave it plugged in it will reboot no problem,unplug it and reverts to default date and time,

Sorry the model is a Aopen DE 70000

What I would really like to know if flashing with an up to date BIOS will fix ?

thanks regards Worgeordie

Then it's something to do with the battery. Either the replacement battery is a dud too or perhaps the connection between the battery and the mainboard is faulty.

In any case, if an updated bios exists, there is a reason and you should flash it. I haven't seen anything bricked that way for years.

[Dork]

Many years ago I was in the watch business and often had those button cell batteries going bad in my sample collection.

A quick and dirty test is to "taste" them. Put it on your tongue and if there is no taste it's dead, if it has a metallic taste there is still some current left.

Not very scientific, I know. But as a quick test it works.

[RichCor]

I guess in the OP I am not clear about where this PC came from. You bought this barebones PC and then took to a local tech to install the software? Or the tech is the guy selling the PC also? Not clear for me. Any way, the tech that was loading the software did not see this problem during the software loading? I would think that the PC had to be re-booted several times in the loading process for Win 7 and the drivers. He never mentioned this? Sounds like a jumper issue as stated

AS long as leave it plugged in it will reboot no problem,unplug it and reverts to default date and time,

Sorry the model is a Aopen DE 70000

[...]

• If you have a Digital Multi-Meter, check the voltage on the battery. Also check to see it the battery is the correct number (The most widely used battery model is the CR2032)
• Bad battery holder, poor contacts? -- as previously mentioned.
• Short on the Motherboard? Does the case use metal standoffs, rather than plastic, to support the motherboard?
• Bad CMOS circuit prematurely draining the battery?

Can you please verify that the "CLEAR CMOS" Jumper is in the correct (normal, not Clearing) position on the motherboard?

I can't find anything listed like a Aopen D7000 or DE70000. Can you provide a link? Aopen motherboard model numbers usually are writting like this::: //sample// AOpen i945GMm-HL IBJ-485 SOCKET 478A INTEL MOTHERBOARD //sample// :::

Edited April 17, 2014 by RichCor

[wolf5370]

If it goes after unplugging, but not on a full reboot, then it must be the CMOS battery - either the cell itself or the port. I bought a dud one here last time I replaced the one in my main desktop, so a possibility. You can get them from 7-11 for pennies so get another one and try it. Also try taking it out, rubbing it with a dry cloth and putting it back - sometimes the ports can be a bit finicky and need to click in properly to make a good contact, and sometimes finger grease can cause issue with connection too. All easy and fast stuff to try.

[worgeordie]

I guess in the OP I am not clear about where this PC came from. You bought this barebones PC and then took to a local tech to install the software? Or the tech is the guy selling the PC also? Not clear for me. Any way, the tech that was loading the software did not see this problem during the software loading? I would think that the PC had to be re-booted several times in the loading process for Win 7 and the drivers. He never mentioned this? Sounds like a jumper issue as stated

AS long as leave it plugged in it will reboot no problem,unplug it and reverts to default date and time,

Sorry the model is a Aopen DE 70000

[...]

• If you have a Digital Multi-Meter, check the voltage on the battery. Also check to see it the battery is the correct number (The most widely used battery model is the CR2032)
• Bad battery holder, poor contacts? -- as previously mentioned.
• Short on the Motherboard? Does the case use metal standoffs, rather than plastic, to support the motherboard?
• Bad CMOS circuit prematurely draining the battery?

Can you please verify that the "CLEAR CMOS" Jumper is in the correct (normal, not Clearing) position on the motherboard?

I can't find anything listed like a Aopen D7000 or DE70000. Can you provide a link? Aopen motherboard model numbers usually are writting like this::: //sample// AOpen i945GMm-HL IBJ-485 SOCKET 478A INTEL MOTHERBOARD //sample// :::

I will look at the CLEAR CMOS jumper, the Aopen DE 7000 is not a mother board but sold as a barebones or fully set up.

The battery is 100% ok as shop tested it first, As I said everything else working great when i get it booted up, but just don't

want to keep going in the BIOS,

thanks for all the help, as the clear CMOS jumper seems to be the easiest fix I will try that first

regards worgeordie

[RichCor]

I guess in the OP I am not clear about where this PC came from. You bought this barebones PC and then took to a local tech to install the software? Or the tech is the guy selling the PC also? Not clear for me. Any way, the tech that was loading the software did not see this problem during the software loading? I would think that the PC had to be re-booted several times in the loading process for Win 7 and the drivers. He never mentioned this? Sounds like a jumper issue as stated

AS long as leave it plugged in it will reboot no problem,unplug it and reverts to default date and time,

Sorry the model is a Aopen DE 70000

[...]

• If you have a Digital Multi-Meter, check the voltage on the battery. Also check to see it the battery is the correct number (The most widely used battery model is the CR2032)
• Bad battery holder, poor contacts? -- as previously mentioned.
• Short on the Motherboard? Does the case use metal standoffs, rather than plastic, to support the motherboard?
• Bad CMOS circuit prematurely draining the battery?

Can you please verify that the "CLEAR CMOS" Jumper is in the correct (normal, not Clearing) position on the motherboard?

I can't find anything listed like a Aopen D7000 or DE70000. Can you provide a link? Aopen motherboard model numbers usually are writting like this::: //sample// AOpen i945GMm-HL IBJ-485 SOCKET 478A INTEL MOTHERBOARD //sample// :::

I will look at the CLEAR CMOS jumper, the Aopen DE 7000 is not a mother board but sold as a barebones or fully set up.

The battery is 100% ok as shop tested it first, As I said everything else working great when i get it booted up, but just don't

want to keep going in the BIOS,

thanks for all the help, as the clear CMOS jumper seems to be the easiest fix I will try that first

regards worgeordie

Worgeordie,

Question -- How much experience do you have working with the insides of a computer? If you're not the least a techie I can understand the response, or lack of one, so far to the excellent suggestions you've received. I am, though, baffled by your lack of response directly to those suggestions.

If you are not a techie I would suggest you take the entire unit back to the place of purchase and tell them about the BIOS/CMOS issue and that it is unacceptable. Either the unit needs to be quickly diagnosed and repaired, the motherboard swapped out, or the entire unit replaced.

If the unit was purchased online, I can see the dilemma of not wanting to endure the hassle -- but a motherboard with a resetting BIOS is a defect, it ISN'T NORMAL and shouldn't be accepted. I very much doubt a BIOS Flash would be able to fix it.

• The battery 'may' have been OK at the shop, but the motherboard may have drained it -- meaning any actual 'fix' will go unnoticed.

• The other possibility, as mentioned by wolf5370, "sometimes the ports [battery socket] can be a bit finicky and need to click in properly to make a good contact, and sometimes finger grease can cause issue with connection too. All easy and fast stuff to try."

• The CLEAR CMOS jumper in NORMAL Position

These are easy things to check.

Please, just remember to unplug the PC from the mains before opening up the case.

//sorry if this came off as a rant.

[wolf5370]

Worgeordie,

Question -- How much experience do you have working with the insides of a computer? If you're not the least a techie I can understand the response, or lack of one, so far to the excellent suggestions you've received. I am, though, baffled by your lack of response directly to those suggestions.

If you are not a techie I would suggest you take the entire unit back to the place of purchase and tell them about the BIOS/CMOS issue and that it is unacceptable. Either the unit needs to be quickly diagnosed and repaired, the motherboard swapped out, or the entire unit replaced.

If the unit was purchased online, I can see the dilemma of not wanting to endure the hassle -- but a motherboard with a resetting BIOS is a defect, it ISN'T NORMAL and shouldn't be accepted. I very much doubt a BIOS Flash would be able to fix it.

• The battery 'may' have been OK at the shop, but the motherboard may have drained it -- meaning any actual 'fix' will go unnoticed.

• The other possibility, as mentioned by wolf5370, "sometimes the ports [battery socket] can be a bit finicky and need to click in properly to make a good contact, and sometimes finger grease can cause issue with connection too. All easy and fast stuff to try."

• The CLEAR CMOS jumper in NORMAL Position

These are easy things to check.

Please, just remember to unplug the PC from the mains before opening up the case.

//sorry if this came off as a rant.

Good post - just want to add - ground yourself before touching anything inside the case (after unplugging it) - easiest way is simply to touch the metal case first (and do it of a table of tiled floor - not a carpet which may charge you up). Static electricity on your fingers can damage the circuit board.

[worgeordie]

I am no way a techie,but the suggestions for a possible fix, seem doable to me,

i have a diagram of the mother board,so will be able to find the CMOS jumper

pins,will also check the battery and connection,i have a earthing wristband so

should go without problems i hope.

thanks for all the recommendations, lads ,theres always someone to help you

on ThaiVisa,and thats a great thing.

regards Worgeordie