Computer crashes once battery reaches certain percentage and message about CMOS checksum is invalid.

[chloe881]

Some background to my laptop: I replaced the battery with an IT store (not HP) who used a battery that should supposedly last for at least 2 years (I was told) but it has been less than a year already.

I am unsure if this is the root of the issue however, but when my laptop crashes it typically does not switch on again until I charge it and if it is kept plugged in, it will not crash. I have noticed a pattern from when this first started occurring (about a week or two ago), and it first started crashing when the percentage was at about 50/40% but more recently it has deteriorated and began crashing at 60% and sometimes even 70%.

I have updated all software and run some checks which all seemingly passed. The battery check seemed to have failed but is this just due to it not being the original HP battery? 

Should I go to an IT store and request for a battery replacement (despite it already being replaced less than a year ago) or is this an issue that I can solve myself?

Any help would be appreciated!

[Sneha_01]

Hi @chloe881 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you’re dealing with a battery issue combined with a potential CMOS checksum error. Here's how to approach solving the issue:

1. CMOS Checksum Invalid Error

The CMOS checksum error usually points to a problem with the BIOS settings or the CMOS battery (a small coin-cell battery on the motherboard that powers the BIOS when the laptop is turned off). This error suggests that the BIOS settings have become corrupted, often due to power loss or a failing CMOS battery. Here’s how to address this:

Steps to Fix CMOS Checksum Error:

• Reset the BIOS Settings:
  • Turn off your laptop.
  • Power it on and immediately press the BIOS key . That will be F10
  • In the BIOS setup, look for an option to Restore Defaults or Reset to Default Settings and confirm. This will clear any corrupted settings in the BIOS.
  • Exit the BIOS and allow the system to boot normally.
• Replace the CMOS Battery:
  • If the issue persists, it could be a sign that the CMOS battery needs replacing. This is a small coin-shaped battery located on the motherboard. Replacing it can help restore BIOS functionality and clear the checksum error.
  • If you're comfortable with disassembling your laptop, you can check the CMOS battery, or you can take it to an IT service to have the battery replaced.

2. Battery and Charging Issue

Given that you recently replaced your battery with a third-party (non-HP) battery, the problem could stem from that battery, especially if it is not providing stable power. Here’s how you can investigate further:

Check the Battery Health:

• Battery Report: Run a battery report to check the health of your battery. You can do this on Windows by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and typing the following:powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:\battery_report.html"
  
  • This will generate a detailed battery health report that you can open in your web browser.
  • Look for the design capacity vs. full charge capacity to see if the battery is still holding a charge properly.
• Battery Calibration: Sometimes, the system’s power management may not accurately read the battery's charge. Try calibrating your battery:
  1. Fully charge your laptop to 100%.
  2. Let it discharge completely to 0%.
  3. Recharge it back to 100% in one go without interruption.

I hope this helps.

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