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Offline franksolich

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computer problem
« on: May 12, 2012, 08:50:47 AM »
This morning, I had some, uh, problems when the computer didn't do something I wanted it to do.

This was the first time anything has gone awry with this computer, which I've had for some years now.

Never a problem until now.

I finally yanked the plug and restarted it (it wouldn't shut off).

I got the black screen--not the blue screen--with the white print, saying "battery system voltage is low."

Okay, what'll I do now?

Can this wait until Monday until I go to the big city?
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Offline Zeus

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2012, 09:20:52 AM »
Sounds like your BIOS battery needs to be replaced.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2012, 09:25:32 AM »
Quote from: Zeus on May 12, 2012, 09:20:52 AM
Sounds like your BIOS battery needs to be replaced.

Are there different sorts of batteries inside the black box, or just one all-purpose one?
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2012, 09:28:20 AM »
I'm assuming it, or they, look like round hearing-aid batteries.

I replaced one once in another computer, years ago.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2012, 09:30:36 AM »
Also, my usual computer place is closed on Saturdays.

Is a computer battery anything that can be purchased any place that sells computer supplies, even Wal-Mart and such?
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Offline Zeus

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2012, 09:35:38 AM »
Quote from: franksolich on May 12, 2012, 09:30:36 AM
Also, my usual computer place is closed on Saturdays.

Is a computer battery anything that can be purchased any place that sells computer supplies, even Wal-Mart and such?

It looks like a giant watch battery. I doubt Walmart has them but a computer place should,they should be able to print out instructions for replacement for your particular computer also.

Replacing The Mother Board battery
« Last Edit: May 12, 2012, 09:40:52 AM by Zeus »
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2012, 10:22:34 AM »
Okay, I printed off the pages and pages of instructions at the link you gave me.

I hope to God it's a lithium battery, as that looks the easiest to replace (I haven't checked the innards of the black box yet).
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2012, 10:33:15 AM »
Okay, to get the right battery, I need to know the specifications of the black box.

There's something that analyzes and describes one's computer (gigabytage and all that); both Thor and chris_ have given it out before. 

Or can I get by merely by taking the old battery in and asking for a new one of the same?

You're not dealing with a computer genius here, by the way.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2012, 11:05:35 AM »
Take the old battery out and bring it to the store with you.  Last time I checked, Walgreens still sold them.
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Offline marv

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2012, 11:09:45 AM »
Quote from: franksolich on May 12, 2012, 10:33:15 AM
Okay, to get the right battery, I need to know the specifications of the black box.

There's something that analyzes and describes one's computer (gigabytage and all that); both Thor and chris_ have given it out before. 

Or can I get by merely by taking the old battery in and asking for a new one of the same? Yes

You're not dealing with a computer genius here, by the way.
Caution! Play it safe and don't use a metalic screwdriver. Look around for a simlarily shaped instrument made of plastic or nylon, and ridgid enough to pry the old battery out.

Secondly, remember the orientation of the old battery. It's not nice to fool Mother Board by replacing the old battery with a new one and reversing the polarity.

Finally, get ready to (probably) redo your BIOS. And that can be a PITA!

I replaced my MB battery a couple of months ago. Mine old one was a lithium CR2032 about ten years old.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2012, 11:29:00 AM »
You should be able to remove it with your fingers.  Don't use anything metal.
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Offline Zeus

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2012, 11:34:25 AM »
Quote from: franksolich on May 12, 2012, 10:33:15 AM
Okay, to get the right battery, I need to know the specifications of the black box.

There's something that analyzes and describes one's computer (gigabytage and all that); both Thor and chris_ have given it out before. 

Or can I get by merely by taking the old battery in and asking for a new one of the same?

You're not dealing with a computer genius here, by the way.

No Computer Guru either.

Like Chris says you should be able to remove the battery with your fingers.

Older systems you may have to go through some steps to reset your Bios but newer systems do it for you with minimal operator input.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #12 on: May 12, 2012, 01:22:26 PM »
Okay, it was a lithium battery, and I took it with me.

I got a Duracell replacement, same number, although it says "Duracell Medical" in it; 3V, just as the old one, DL2032, CR2032, just as the old battery.

I installed it, and after cleaning the interior of the machine, turned it on.

It seems to work fine, but Microsoft did a whole lot of funny things with the screen, such as now only my recycle and firefox shortcut icons show.  Also, the clock is off.

What'll I do now?
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2012, 01:25:14 PM »
Also, all my personal files seem to have, uh, disappeared.

They were in a "New Folder" in the C drive.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2012, 01:30:40 PM »
My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > Restore Defaults.

I'm not sure what else is going on with your computer.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #15 on: May 12, 2012, 01:40:16 PM »
I'm not seeing "restore defaults" at that.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2012, 01:41:09 PM »
Oops, okay, now I do.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2012, 01:43:28 PM »
It doesn't "apply".
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Offline Chris_

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #18 on: May 12, 2012, 01:45:40 PM »
Have you rebooted a second time (stupid question).
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #19 on: May 12, 2012, 01:49:01 PM »
Yeah, I did, and this time the black screen with the white print did NOT show, which it's not supposed to.

Since the black screen didn't show, I assumed all was okay, but by the time it opened up, it was as if I was starting out brand-new, nothing (short-cuts whatnot) on it.  The personal files had disappeared, and it hadn't "saved" conservativecave as a bookmark when I re-opened it (I had of course the first time bookmarked this place).
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #20 on: May 12, 2012, 01:51:45 PM »
Among related phenomenons, while Windows was opening, it showed two messages in little tan boxes.

The first said something like "Windows cannot load local profiles because of insufficient security or corrupted local profiles."

The second said something like "Windows cannot find the local profiles."
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Offline Chris_

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #21 on: May 12, 2012, 01:53:38 PM »
Oh, okay.  That is another problem entirely and shouldn't be related to the battery change.  Your user profile is corrupt which is why you're not seeing any of your personal items. 

On Windows XP, it could be related to low disk space.  How does yours look?
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #22 on: May 12, 2012, 01:55:03 PM »
Quote from: chris_ on May 12, 2012, 01:53:38 PM
Oh, okay.  That is another problem entirely and shouldn't be related to the battery change.  Your user profile is corrupt which is why you're not seeing any of your personal items. 

But I was seeing them just before I opened up the black box and took out the battery.

This morning, while asking about batteries.

The local profiles worked fine then.

Damn, I got thousands of scans of family photographs on it too.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #23 on: May 12, 2012, 01:59:19 PM »
Your photos and documents should still be on the hard drive... your user profile has been changed so you won't be able to see them.  Do not, under any circumstances, reformat that drive or reinstall Windows without making a backup. 

Do this: Run > CMD (enter)

Has your computer name changed?
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Offline franksolich

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Re: computer problem
« Reply #24 on: May 12, 2012, 02:01:36 PM »
Quote from: chris_ on May 12, 2012, 01:59:19 PM
Your photos and documents should still be on the hard drive... your user profile has been changed so you won't be able to see them.  Do not, under any circumstances, reformat that drive or reinstall Windows without making a backup. 

Do this: Run > CMD (enter)

Has your computer name changed?

I ain't touching nuthin', and no, my computer name hasn't changed that I know of.

How to I get to this "Run" stuff?  I assume that's on a black screen with white print.
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