CMOS reset causing BIOS to reload default settings "due to BIOS update or checkum issue"

[Hanspuppa]

Hello Annyyu22, Thanks for the useful information. The issue is with the BIOS password, and not a Windows password.

SureFoot cannot change the BIOS settings due to a BIOS password.

[SureFoot]

Thank you.  I was unable to get back and try the previous recommendation until this afternoon.

-- I cleared both the CMOS PSW and CMOS Memory to no effect

-- Boot message still indicates BIOS changes to default settings

-- I'm able to make setting changes, but none are kept (appearance of BIOS resetting to default at each boot)

-- The only change noticed is that the BIOS did change from 5.12 to 5.13, but no settings can be changed.

You seem to have confirmed my earlier concern with sp43099, that in order to make changes to the BIOS, I might have to consider rolling back to Vista, make the BIOS changes, then roll back to Windows 7.  When considering all variables here, the natural assumption is that the BIOS defaulting behavior under Windows 7 was due to my clearing the BIOS to clear the password.  Since I do not recall when the BIOS started defaulting, it makes me wonder if the BIOS defaulting had something to do with the Windows 7 upgrade?  (i.e. Rolling back to Vista, changing the BIOS, and rolling back to Windows 7 could possibly yield the same results).

Thanks Annyyu22.  Hansuppa is correct. The issue is not associated with the OS password, but the hardware BIOS resetting itself at boot and using the default BIOS settings.

[Hanspuppa]

Hello SureFoot, Since this issue has so many post, I seem to be having trouble keeping up with what has been tried. Since you mentioned that the BIOS cannot be saved, has it been mentioned that the CMOS battery is weak and may not supply enough voltage to keep the BIOS settings? Other than using Windows to install the BIOS, as opposed to the earlier way when the BIOS was flashed from a floppy, Windows should have no effect on the BIOS at all. Windows does not get loaded until the BIOS POST requirements have been met, and then the BIOS turns control of the system over to Windows. I would consider replacing the CMOS battery at this point, unless you have already done this. I have had some of these coincell type batteries read 3.3 volts when not under a load, but when a load is applied, the voltage drops to the point they are no longer supporting the device for which they are installed for. A new battery resulted in the proper operation of the device.

[SureFoot]

Thank you, Hansuppa,

Response to the suggestion that the CMOS batter is weak: 

It is hard for me to believe that the CMOS battery is weak.  I've seen CMOS batteries go completely dead in the past and have had to replace or rechage them on older machines left powered down for a period of time.  This machine remains in use daily (though not by me),  and does not exhibit what you would expect from a low or dead CMOS battery. 

Response to the OS load and BIOS

What you describe is exactly what makes this odd.  When looking at this from a purely hardware perspective the OS load should not have any bearing on the BIOS load.  Yet, running sp43099 is required after the OS starts.  It does say that it was written for Vista and not Windows 7, issues the error mentioned previously.  Despite that, the BIOS says it is 5.13 now, but continues to reset to default settings at each boot.  (No changes can be made and kept due to the reset at boot).

From a hardware perspective, loading BIOS updates from floppy had fewer dependencies to consider.  But, that is no longer the case for newer machines which no longer include floppy drives.  Even if sp43099 were moved to a flash drive, the BIOS would have to be changed to boot from a flash drive.  It could never happen because the BIOS resets to default at boot and not see the USB flash drive with sp43099 on it.

Everything at least appears to be running great for this machine and it is exhibiting no other problems.  I also may have never noticed the problem had I not been asked to make changes required changing a BIOS setting.  It was only then that I noticed that the BIOS was resetting to the default.  And, in hindsight, because you would not normally think to check for this, it may be possible that it was resetting to default settings before I cleared the CMOS the first time.  (Which, I know doesn't seem to make logical sense.  I'm just saying it's possible, and I didn't realize until I started paying closer attention to the boot sequence).

Thank you very much again.

Sorry about the length of this discussion thread.

- Surefoot

[Hanspuppa]

Hello SureFoot, I understand your frustration, I've been there. Just to be sure the passsword was cleared from the BIOS, the procedure is a little different than the CMOS reset.

Here is the information for the Password clearing.

To erase the BIOS password follow these steps:

1.Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2.Locate the jumper labeled CLEAR_PWD.

3.Move the jumper CLEAR_PW to pins 2-3.

4.Plug in the power cord and turn ON the computer.

5.Hold down the F10 key during the startup process and enter BIOS setup to change or clear the password.

6.After changing or clearing the BIOS passwords, remember to reset the jumper to pins 1-2.

Notice the line 3, and then line 4, and then line 5. It appears the jumper pin needs to be left connected to pins 2-3, and then per line 4, plug the power cord in and boot the system, enter the BIOS and clear the password. Save these changes and shut the system down. Then move the jumpers back to their original pins.

This procedure is different from th CMOS reset, and took me by surprise when I read it for about the 5th time before it sunk in on my dead head.

You may have followed this procedure, but just wanted to let you know in case you have not.

[SureFoot · Accepted solution]

Hanspuppa,

I started to pull the CMOS battery to check it on a voltage meter when, under stronger light, I finally realized that the jumper pin settings are reversed for the CLEAR PWD and CLEAR CMOS blocks.  The pins are arranged 123 for CLEAR PWD and 321 for CLEAR CMOS.  The first image of the instructions (below) is the baseline setting for jumpering pins 12 on both CMOS and CMOS_PWD.  I missed the pin numbering sequence on the CMOS CLEAR and thought they were in the same order as the CLEAR_PWD block.  (i.e. The CMOS could not be reset because pins 23 were jumpered when they were believed to be 12).    I wanted to add a suggestion for others who may run into this.  Perhaps any confusion could be avoided with text to explain this, as well as a third image (copy of the first) showing the return to the baseline configuration.  The root cause of confusion over this wsa not being able to read all pin numbers and incorrectly believing the two blocks would have the pins arranged in similar sequence when they are not.

See Attention to Detail !!!  Click to expand CMOS Clear or CMOS_PWD Clear.

My apologies to everyone who looked into this. 

The two nearly adjacent jumper blocks have an inverted pin order.  After clearing (resetting) they should be reset as shown below.  I may have remaining questions on the BIOS update under Win7.

[Hanspuppa]

Hello SureFoot, Glad to hear you got it sorted. This procedure is a little confusing. It caught me off guard as well. I had to read the instructions several times before a light went off in my head.

Thanks for the update. The Windows 7 BIOS update should go well for you.