cmos settings

[SCOTS_FLLIC]

When I boot up my computer the following message appears:

CMOS settings wrong
CMOS Date/time not set
Press F2 to run SETUP

The date and time go back to 12am, 1 January 2002, however, I just F3 and escape and the computer boots up as normal.

Does any1 know how to fix this?

Thanks in advance.

[fo3nix]

How long has it been doing it for? Sounds like you may need to change your motherboard battery (it's a fairly common button battery type, normally).

[SCOTS_FLLIC]

Thanks for the quick response fo3nix. Its been on and off for a couple of months now.

Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it back to the shop? (as its PC World i'm a bit reluctant lol)

[Kinetic]

Most likely motherboard battery yep, you can change this yourself easily just open the case and look for a small watch type battery on the motherboard (large flat circuit board all others are attached to). Replace this with a new one. Bingo!

[SCOTS_FLLIC]

Is your computer affected if you don't replace it?

[TeeGee]

You may well have trouble logging on to some sites "Hey, this guy doesn't know what day it is!!" Also you will only get the BIOS default values loaded each time so you can't personalise things like caps-lock, passwords and so on.
The motherboard designers put the battery there for a reason, so use it.