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Help! Computer booting to BIOS (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

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My Mother's computer is suddenly acting up.

Upon booting, it goes directly into the BIOS and
stops.

I have to go and hit F10 to save ficticious changes
and then it boots into XP.

Any reason why the computer is suddenly doing this
and anything I can do to prevent it?

Thanks in advance for the assistance
 

Christ Reynolds

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try resetting the battery inside. you may need the manual, but it should reset the bios to factory specs.

also might want to download hiren's bootcd and the ultimate bootcd and scan for viruses. both CDs are invaluable. if it will boot to a cd, scan for viruses. if not, try resetting the battery.

CJ
 

Ronald Epstein

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Let me ask you....

Could it be the batterty is dead?

The computer is at least 5 years old and
has never had the battery replaced.

I noticed the time and date in the BIOS were
screwed up.

If you think it is the battery, what type does
it take? I have a spare CR2032 but not certain
that is the type.

Thanks
 

Aaron Gould

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I agree; it sounds suspiciously like a near-dead battery. A life of five years is a bit short, but I've seen them go in that time before.

In my experience, motherboard batteries are usually model CR2032 or CR2025 (The difference being charge capacity).

Most batteries have the model number engraved on the visible (upward facing) side, so looking directly at it should give you that information.
 

Patrick Sun

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Another thing that can stall the POST is having a USB external hard drive connected to the PC.
 

Mike_J_Potter

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Also check to make sure all the drives are working in the PC. I have seen bios related issues like that when a drive fails. But my money would be on the bios battery.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Guys,

Thanks for all the help.

Actually, it seems it was the battery.

It makes sense. Computer is 5 years old and
that battery has never been replaced.

I replaced it and all seems to be working well.
 

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