How to Change the Battery in a Computer

A computer has a battery or special chip that retains computer (CMOS) settings and runs the computer clock even after the computer itself is turned off. If you have to reset the date and time on your computer every time you start it, you may need to replace your computer battery. This procedure applies to IBM-compatible computers that have a replaceable battery or a connector for a spare battery.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Laptop Computer Batteries

1. Record the current CMOS settings first. Turn on or restart your computer. As soon as the computer settings are displayed on the screen, press the Pause or Break key (upper-right corner of the keyboard) to freeze the computer display.

2. Press the Print Screen key to print the display, or write the settings on paper. Keep this information in case you lose your computer settings.

3. Turn off and unplug the computer. Remove the cover.

4. Record the type of battery that is currently installed, but do not remove it. Lithium or alkaline batteries are in holders attached to the motherboard. Built-in batteries are soldered onto the motherboard, but a connector should be available for a spare battery. Note the type of connector.

5. Purchase the replacement battery.

6. Remove the existing battery and replace it with the new battery in exactly the same configuration (same polarity, or + and - settings). Spare batteries with a connector generally fit one way only, but check the computer documentation.

7. Replace the computer cover, plug in the power cord, and start the computer.

8. Reset the computer date and time.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you are grounded (touch safe metal, such as the computer frame) before touching the computer components. Static electricity can build up in your body and be discharged on the computer components, causing permanent damage to them.
• If you lose the CMOS settings, open the computer setup screen (press the Del key or other key specified during computer startup) and enter the settings you recorded earlier.

[johnson123456]

on 1/18/2008 I found the tutorial pretty easy to follow. The steps are very detailed, but did not use a lot of technical words. The author should of listed the tools needed like screwdrivers, etc instead of just saying laptop computer battery in the “Things you’ll need” section. The author also said the battery type wrong since his tutorial is about replacing a CMOS battery, but in his “Things you’ll need” section he said , “laptop batteries” which is not the same as a CMOS battery. It list all the necessary steps in changing a battery on a computer’s motherboard. The title of the article is kind of unclear since it did not say CMOS battery in it. Step 5 is kind of unnecessary “Purchase the replacement battery” since most people already know that they should purchase a new battery when changing a CMOS battery. The tips about grounding yourself before changing the CMOS battery, and telling people to r

[johnson123456]

on 1/18/2008 I found the tutorial pretty easy to follow. The steps are very detailed, but did not use a lot of technical words. The author should of listed the tools needed like screwdrivers, etc instead of just saying laptop computer battery in the “Things you’ll need” section. The author also said the battery type wrong since his tutorial is about replacing a CMOS battery, but in his “Things you’ll need” section he said , “laptop batteries” which is not the same as a CMOS battery. It list all the necessary steps in changing a battery on a computer’s motherboard. The title of the article is kind of unclear since it did not say CMOS battery in it. Step 5 is kind of unnecessary “Purchase the replacement battery” since most people already know that they should purchase a new battery when changing a CMOS battery. The tips about grounding yourself before changing the CMOS battery, and telling people to r