How to clear the CMOS

[boskis]

1 day without accum and cmos battery - no effect

 

[Jack the Newbie]

Please start your own topic and describe your actual problem.  Please do not write any more replies in this thread. Thank you.

 

[jabvasquez]

Whenever i turn on my MSI notebook cr420 the boot process doesn't continue and there appear a message that goes like this, " recommended repair" but nothing happens...so what i am doing is press the F1 upon boot-up and the boot-up process works normally. How can i fix this problem or what is/are possible cause/s of this...Youe help will be highly appreciated...Godd Day and God Bless!


joseph

 

[Stu]

jabvasquez,

Please read the >>Posting Guide<< and then start your own new topic in the correct area of the forum, describing your problem in detail, then we can assist you.

 

[alexi9307]

Does this procedure reset the BIOS password? I have a MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 and I forgot my BIOS password. If this doesn't work, is there any way to reset it? Thanks!

 

[zefie]

On my Z77A-G45 (Ivy Bridge), I've found that to get a full CMOS reset (clear time and date) a special combination of both methods are required. I've tested a few times and found the following to work 100% of the time:

Please read each step carefully, same as the original post. As with the original post, I, nor this forum can be held responsible if you damage your system.
However, I have tested this 5 times on my MSI Z77A-G45 (each time, I'd set the time to something random so that I knew the time was being reset).
Do not skip any steps!

Step 1:
Disconnect the main AC power by either shutting off the power switch on the back of your power supply or simply pulling out the power cable.

Step2:
With Power supply switched OFF or Disconnected, press power as if you were going to power up the board.
For my specific board and case, it will wait about 2-5 seconds then try to turn on, lighting up the power LED. This LED then slowly fades off.
Wait at least 20 seconds after pressing power before proceeding to step 3.

Step3:
Remove the CMOS battery

Step 4:
This part is a little tricky, as you will need a jumper, possibly from another device.
MSI does not provide any with the Z77A-G45, as they are not required for everyday usage, and JBAT1 is only 2 pins, which are to be unbridged during normal usage.

Bridge JBAT1 by placing the jumper on the 2 pins.

Step 5:
While the jumper is on JBAT1, press and hold the clear CMOS button on the back of the I/O panel for 10 seconds
(I've found 10 seconds to be the most reliable. 3 seconds only reset the date and time once out of 3 tests, where 10 seconds worked 5 times out of 5).

Step 6:
After 10 seconds, release the button, and remove the jumper from JBAT1. Do not forget this!

Step 7:
Replace CMOS Battery

Step 8:
Switch on or plug power supply back in, and start up your system. You will get the "Press F1 to enter setup", and your time should be set to 00:00.

Summary:
On my MSI Z77A-G45, I've found I had to use both JBAT1 and the reset button to get a full clear.

Notes:
This wipes all the settings, and the date & time, but does not seem to wipe the "Overclocking Profiles".

Also, regarding step 4, you may be thinking that you can just short JBAT1 with anything conductive (such as a small flat head screwdriver). Technically you could do step 4 without a jumper.
However, I would not recommend this because it may be difficult to short the pins AND hold the reset button simultaneously. Your hand may slip in the process, and could damage the board.

 

[HU16E]

A number of procedure changes in the past ten years since this sticky was first posted. I always remove the PSU power cord, discharge the system, remove the battery, then clear CMOS using the button at the I/O plate. Some use the 'jumper' method, but I never have.

Date and time needing a reset is assurance the CMOS has been 'fully' cleared.

 

[TerminusAvid]

Thanks SVET, zefie, and Froggy Gremlin for posting this information! As an avid computer geek with an MS in engineering you would think this process was very simple and easy to do but after reading through this thread I realized that I've never actually properly cleared the CMOS on my Z77A-GD65 (despite two BIOS updates)! Of course after each flash I assumed I was clearing the CMOS (physically unplugged my PSU, pushed on-board PWR button to fully release energy from components, waited at least 30s, and pushed the I/O backpanel Clear CMOS button [but only for approx 2s]). Although I assumed I was clearing the CMOS (because I followed the owners manual not to mention the basic process I've always used for clearing the CMOS on motherboards) my clock/date was never reset - although all my BIOS settings went to default!
Unfortunately I've got an SLI setup currently that is watercooled so removing the battery and shorting the JBAT1 pins is all but impossible without removing my cards which will be a massive PITA! In anycase thanks guys for posting this information, at the very least I now know what I need to do!

 

[notarat]

Nothing personal to those who took the time and effort to write much of these how-to's, but some of them could really stand to be updated or re-written with an eye towards wording them in a way that non-computer-literate people can understand.

Since I basically do this for a living, I'd be happy to take this task and run with it. If this is agreeable, some admin type can shoot me a PM and I can get started on it this weekend.

 

[Ericson.sw]

No way to boot. Screen is black, no signal , no bip on the motherboard, no Bios?

LED DEBUG F2

 

[Svet]

@erick.simple.08@gmail.com

if you have some issue, open new topic in proper section
describe the issue and also list full detailed system specifications, see >>Posting Guide<<

 

[jringo8769g]

Well i have a x320 how do i go about clearing the cmos on that one...any help will be so appreciated...God Bless John

 

[Svet]

Well i have a x320 how do i go about clearing the cmos on that one...any help will be so appreciated...God Bless John

this do not apply for notebooks
you no need to clear cmos if you have a notebook

 

[jringo8769g]

well maybe this is the better question....when i try and start this laptop up...it does not recognize the hard drive and i was told resetting the bios should fix it....any help will be so appreciated...God Bless John

 

[Svet]

well maybe this is the better question....when i try and start this laptop up...it does not recognize the hard drive and i was told resetting the bios should fix it....any help will be so appreciated...God Bless John

open new own topic in notebook section if you need help with your notebook

 

[debynory]

In my MSI A88XM-E45 there isn't jumper, it's normal? To clear CMOS I have to remove for 4-5 minutes the battery..

 

[Svet]

In my MSI A88XM-E45 there isn't jumper, it's normal? To clear CMOS I have to remove for 4-5 minutes the battery..

there is a jumper near to the battery, called JBAT1

 

[philrazo]

The instructions are from 2009, are these instructions still applicable w/ the newer motherboards?

 

[Nichrome]

Usually yes. However refer to the actual manual available online on product site, or inside your motherboard box.

 

[Becketo]

Zefie's 8 step Clear CMOS worked perfectly.  My motherboard is Z77 MPOWER Military Class.  Now Bios switches A/B are working perfectly.
Bravo my friend your a life saver.