to clear CMOS

I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.

"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.

Normally it is instantaneous on the powerup but every motherboard
manufacturer may be different so YMMV. Every time I have ever had to clear
the CMOS it was power off, change pin position, power up, power down after
about 1 second, change pin position, power up.

Thats only part of it,after unplugging,remove the battery,then move pins
from 1-2 to 2-3,move for .25 seconds or so,then back to 1-2 position,replace
battery,start pc,open BIOS & reset it,as it will have loaded all settings
to "As
it came from mfg".

"ML" wrote:

I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.

ML wrote:
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.

The procedure differs from product to product, and if someone quotes
a procedure here, without knowing the system, your system could be
damaged.

For what it is worth, on the machines I have he

1) Power off and unplug.
2) Move Clear CMOS jumper to the alternate position.
3) Wait ten seconds.
4) Move Clear CMOS jumper back to the original position.
5) Only apply power to the system, when the jumper is in the original position.

The reason for this procedure, and warning, has to do with
the bad design concept used on some, but not all, computers.

There are two power sources feeding the CMOS/RTC. There is
a source based on the ATX power supply +5VSB source. And
there is the CMOS battery, as the backup source. Some
CMOS clearing designs, short that power to ground. That
can burn or damage the dual diode (logical "OR") device,
that accepts power from either source. If +5VSB is
present, when the shorting jumper is used, one of the
diodes in the three pin package is damaged. And that
can have an impact on the BIOS being able to remember
settings later and so on. I've helped at least one
poster to repair that, by installing replacement
discrete diodes.

So that is the origin of all this "power off" business.

Some chipsets take a different approach, and provide a
proper logic signal for clearing CMOS. With that design,
you could manipulate the jumper at virtually any time,
without concern.

But in the interest of preventing accidents, the prudent
practice is to unplug the computer before doing the procedure.
There are many older computers, that have the bad design
present.

Not that many years ago, it wasn't uncommon for the
instructions in the user manual to be just plain
wrong. So some systems were damaged in the past, because
people actually read the instructions. An "insert sheet" in
PDF format, was provided on the manufacturer web site, or
in some cases, they did nothing to correct the situation.
In 2009, I would expect this is largely a thing of the
past.

So before doing anything, I would

1) Acquire a copy of the manual.
2) Google on the make and model, to see if "anybody got burned"
by following the instructions.

I usually try to clear CMOS the first time, by following
the instructions. If I start the computer later, and the
RTC clock did not get reset, I may repeat the procedure.
But this time, I might remove the CR2032 battery from its
socket for a minute, while the jumper is being used. But
rather than have that battery flopping around, for a first
attempt, I might just leave the battery in place. Removing
the battery, is for cases where the computer appears
to be "stubborn".

1) Power off and unplug.
1a) Remove CMOS battery.
2) Move Clear CMOS jumper to the alternate position.
3) Wait ten seconds.
4) Move Clear CMOS jumper back to the original position.
4a) Reinstall CMOS battery
5) Only apply power to the system, when the jumper is in the original position.

Paul

On Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:42:01 -0700, ML
wrote:

I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

You don't power up at all. The CMOS RAM has a battery input that
preserves the memory contents. When you clear CMOS RAM, you're just
grounding the battery input, which causes the memory contents to be
lost.


The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.

"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.

You also need to remove the cmos battery. Power down, unplug, remove the
battery, short the pins, count to 10, move the jumper back, put the battery
back, plug back in and reboot.

Often you cannot start a system at all with the CMOS CLEAR jumpers shorted.

HTH
-pk

"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and any
other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it takes
to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and any
other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are reset. I
found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS flash went bad.

SC Tom

"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and
any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are reset.
I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS flash went
bad.

SC Tom



OK.. ty.. do you know which settings are not reset?


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and
any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are reset.
I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS flash went
bad.

SC Tom



OK.. ty.. do you know which settings are not reset?


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Yes, I know a number of them that weren't reset, if not all.

SC Tom

"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and
any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are reset.
I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS flash went
bad.

SC Tom



I looked at the Asus manual for the M3N78-VM, a board which I recently built
into a new system. It states that moving the CMOS jumper should clear the
settings but, if it doesn't for some reason, the battery should be pulled
too. I have always found that the jumper alone does the job..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and
any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are reset.
I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS flash went
bad.

SC Tom



I looked at the Asus manual for the M3N78-VM, a board which I recently
built into a new system. It states that moving the CMOS jumper should
clear the settings but, if it doesn't for some reason, the battery should
be pulled too. I have always found that the jumper alone does the job..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Mine's the M2NPV-VM and it clearly states on page 1-20, step 2 to "Remove
the onboard battery." If you'd like to see for yourself, go he
http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/so...7_m2npv-vm.pdf

SC Tom

"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should I
power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and
any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are
reset. I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS
flash went bad.

SC Tom



I looked at the Asus manual for the M3N78-VM, a board which I recently
built into a new system. It states that moving the CMOS jumper should
clear the settings but, if it doesn't for some reason, the battery should
be pulled too. I have always found that the jumper alone does the job..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Mine's the M2NPV-VM and it clearly states on page 1-20, step 2 to "Remove
the onboard battery." If you'd like to see for yourself, go he
http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/so...7_m2npv-vm.pdf

SC Tom




I don't doubt that it does. Looks like Asus can't make up their minds.. :-)


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
.. .
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should
I power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time, and
any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states) in
order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are
reset. I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS
flash went bad.

SC Tom



I looked at the Asus manual for the M3N78-VM, a board which I recently
built into a new system. It states that moving the CMOS jumper should
clear the settings but, if it doesn't for some reason, the battery
should be pulled too. I have always found that the jumper alone does the
job..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Mine's the M2NPV-VM and it clearly states on page 1-20, step 2 to "Remove
the onboard battery." If you'd like to see for yourself, go he
http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/so...7_m2npv-vm.pdf

SC Tom




I don't doubt that it does. Looks like Asus can't make up their minds..
:-)


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

My guess is that on the newer boards, the jumper bypasses the battery
completely (or more so than on the older boards) making it unnecessary to
pull the battery. Engineering, you know- "If it ain't broke, redesign it!"
I was looking at the board you have as an upgrade, but it only has one EIDE
channel, and unfortunately, I still have 3 EIDE devices that I'm not ready
to part with. I really don't NEED to upgrade (my AMD 64x2 Dual 4800+ is
plenty fast), but every once in a while I get that need for speed. Not
having a larger income kinda curbs that feeling, but it's still there :-)

SC Tom

"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
.. .
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"SC Tom" wrote in message
...

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote in message
...
"ML" wrote in message
...
I understand that I need to unplug the computer first when moving the
jumper
from the original pin position to pins 2,3.
Now that the jumper is in the 'clear CMOS' pins, for how long should
I power
up the computer before shutting down to replace the jumper to its
original
position?

The manual didn't state this clearly.
Thank you.


With the machine powered OFF, move the CMOS jumper to pins 2 and 3..

Now move the jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

Power up the machine, and go into BIOS to reset the date and time,
and any other settings which you personally prefer.

There is no need to remove the battery, or wait more than the time it
takes to move the jumper..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
On my Asus board, the battery MUST be removed (as the manual states)
in order to clear it. If I only move the jumper, not all settings are
reset. I found this out for a fact less than 2 weeks ago when a BIOS
flash went bad.

SC Tom



I looked at the Asus manual for the M3N78-VM, a board which I recently
built into a new system. It states that moving the CMOS jumper should
clear the settings but, if it doesn't for some reason, the battery
should be pulled too. I have always found that the jumper alone does
the job..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Mine's the M2NPV-VM and it clearly states on page 1-20, step 2 to
"Remove the onboard battery." If you'd like to see for yourself, go
he
http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/so...7_m2npv-vm.pdf

SC Tom




I don't doubt that it does. Looks like Asus can't make up their minds..
:-)


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

My guess is that on the newer boards, the jumper bypasses the battery
completely (or more so than on the older boards) making it unnecessary to
pull the battery. Engineering, you know- "If it ain't broke, redesign it!"
I was looking at the board you have as an upgrade, but it only has one
EIDE channel, and unfortunately, I still have 3 EIDE devices that I'm not
ready to part with. I really don't NEED to upgrade (my AMD 64x2 Dual 4800+
is plenty fast), but every once in a while I get that need for speed. Not
having a larger income kinda curbs that feeling, but it's still there :-)

SC Tom




It isn't my board and I built it for somebody else. My production machine is
a single core 939 running a 3500 +.. :-(

The M3N78VM is ok but I do not like the video port arrangement. The DVI port
is firmly fixed to the board, but the VGA port is soldered on behind it and
is prone to flexing. Fortunately, the clients monitor has DVI connection,
but it is definitely a negative feature.

--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/