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Problem with Cmos settings

G

ggarso

n00b
Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
9
I screwed up my original motherboard in my Compaq Preasrio 5006US. So I bought the exact compaq board used. I installed it but I have never had this problem before. There are the jumpers for resetting and normal Cmos operation. The Cmos jumper on normal operation I get no video signal and the computer wont shut down unless I unplug the power cord. Jumper on reset it boots i get video but it says cmos checksum invalid and then it just goes to the cursor blinking in the top left corner of the monitor. Any help would be greatly appreciated I have been messing with this thing off and on for 2 months. Ialready built a new nice P4 computer I just want this one for the kids. Do you think the motherboard is bad? I am lost here.
Thanks, Gary
 
ggarso said:
it says cmos checksum invalid
Click to expand...
This means that the BIOS is corrupted. I don't know if the BIOS on that MOBO can be flashed or if you have to replace the BIOS chip. You should be able to find the fix on Compaq's website.
 
a motherboard will tell you that CMOS checksum is invalid anytime you reset CMOS. It's becuase the data that's in the NVRAM get's lost including the checksum value. So when you turn the computer back on the checksum is a random value (most probably all zeros) and it won't match the computed checksum based on the NVRAM contents. A bad battery will do that. If you power down you lose the CMOS data and invalidate the checksum.

Ryan

PS. I'm not sure if ATX motherboards have this problem since they have a standy power source when plugged in to the wall. I don't know if it keeps the CMOS powere so that you'ren not using the battery. I've haven't run into a bad battery on an ATX motherbaord yet, only AT motherboards.
 
Standby power does in fact keep the bios going so to not use the battery, at least on the new boards. I popped my battery out and put it back in and it didn't reset, I had to unplug it and then pop it out to reset it.
 
oh well, was worth a shot I guess. there's still the possibility that the motherboard in the Compaq doesn't work that way.

Is this error showing up after every time you shut down, or only if you unplug and change things?


EDIT: did you by any chance go into BIOS setup and load default settings? Try that if you haven't. May get rid of your problem.
 
It has done this since I put the new MB in. I have replaced the battery and gone into the bios to reset defaults although I cant get it to change the boot order all it shows is the HDD. I dont understand why it is working with the cmos jumper on reset and not on normal.
Thanks for the replies, everything helps right now.
Gary
 
well seeing that you've been messing with it for over two months, I'd say you SOL on getting a refund or replacement unless the seller specifically mentioned an extended warranty. eBay tends to limit any recourse to 30 days after auction's end.
 
Have the same problem with my current brand new motherboard, I cant change any boot priorities, I have to reset cmos every time I turn on and it sucks. Since it is brand new I did call up ASUS and they told me it is a bad bios chip... they are in the process of sending me a new one, so hopefully I will have it by friday or saturday they said, I guess they are sending it in regular postal mail if they said saturday shipping. You might try and contact compaq or whoever the motherboard maker is and try to see if its possible to get a new bios chip.
 
that model is so old that I doubt HP would still carry parts for it. If they do you can be guaranteed that they'll be expensive. your best bet would be to just buy a cheap socket 370 board that has a DOA warrantee off of eBay and reinstall windows (i assumes it's XP). MS might let you activate it if you call and talk to them and tell them that your m/b went bad and HP doesn't carry any replacements. I didn't even have to do that. I replace the motherboard in my eMachines P4 with the current one I have now and it activated XP Home over the internet from the key on the COA sticker without a problem.
 
Thanks I will check on the Bios chip. ryan_975 is probably right it will be pricey and if thats the case I will just get another board definately DOA on it.
Thanks, alot guys.
 
you may have to check, but a lot of OEMs solder the bios chip to the mainboard. My sister has a compaq similar to yours except with a Celeron 600. I noticed hers was. If that's the case then you'd have to buy a whole new m/b. I remember eMachines (Gateway) wanted 197.00 for a replacement for my system. That motherboard was just an FIC-VG33. A similar board could be bought for $35. So I just used the $200 and bought an athlon 64 and Xpress 200 motherboard, but I digress. Point is that OEMs are cheap to buy, but expensive to maintain.

Ryan
 
You are correct I got home and checked and it is soldered, so I am done with this board. I really appreciate all the help!!
Thanks, Gary
 
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