Answers to Computer Technical Questions Problems

Bios/CMOS Problems

Deleting Startup (Bios) Password

If you have a motherboard jumper to reset the CMOS use it. If not, turn off the computer and pull out the CMOS battery. Restart the computer with the battery out and the CMOS should reset itself. Turn off the computer and replace the battery (you might want to wait a few hours so the battery drains its charge), restart and change your bios settings.


CMOS checksum error - defaults loaded, CMOS battery failed

Your problem is you have a dead/unconnected CMOS battery. Open your case and look for a flat round battery the size of a nickel. That is your CMOS battery which stores your settings. With the system off, remove the battery and make sure the battery and all contacts are clean. Reinstall and see if it works, otherwise replace it. One of the things the CMOS controls is booting from floppy disk. Another is your hard drive settings. You must solve your battery problems, so that you can change your CMOS settings when your system is performing the RAM test, by pressing the Delete key.

Added new DRAM into an older computer and it beeps at start-up and says "CMOS Memory Mismatch Error"

Make sure you have the correct kind of memory (EDO or non-EDO). Some older computers also required parity DRAMs. DRAM memory is installed in SIMM pairs of equal capacity known as a bank. You cannot mix DRAMs of unequal capacity in the same bank. Nor can you insert DRAMs one at a time - they have to be inserted in pairs of two. The reason you are experiencing the beeping is your RAM cannot pass the start-up memory check. Make sure all DRAMs are correctly and firmly seated. It would help if you had the motherboard or system manual which would explain DRAM banks and their capacity.

Buying and Installing DRAM

Buy DRAM from someone you can return it to. Bulk DRAM is unbranded and is the poorest quality. The main thing you have to worry about when installing new DRAM, is shorting out the DRAM or the motherboard with static electricity. To make sure you don't short anything, leave the computer plugged into the wall with all the power off and touch the metal chassis of the computer.The only other advice, the DRAM chips face in the same direction and should not be forced in.

Black Screen - Dead Motherboard?

Some thoughts and questions.Do you have power to the motherboard? Power supply fan and CPU fan running? If you have no power, you may be shorting your motherboard to your case. Check and recheck that the motherboard is correctly seated and does not contact the case.Did you try the 450 MHz CPU in your friend's board?Have you tried reseating your video card a couple of times? (It took me about four attempts to get my AGP TNT card to seat correctly. No, I didn't know that was the problem. My screen was black also on my ABIT BX6. So I just kept fiddling with the AGP card.)

Motherboard Replaced 3 times

Well obviously your system is functioning abnormally. Whether the cause of the problem is the motherboard, case, peripherals, or the people installing it, is difficult to tell. Motherboards usually do not fail 3 or 4 times in a row. Probably, a decent motherboard fails 10 in 1000 at the most.So your motherboard is probably being shorted when installed, or you have some serious power problems in your house, or one of your components is shorting the rest of the system. If you have the motherboard replaced, have them burn it in for a couple of days with your components installed. If there are no problems at the shop, I suggest you buy an UPS for your home.