CMOS RTC Fail (dell- 5beeps)

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Raotrux

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Hello,
I just bought a new case so I decided to switch all my part over. Before this everything was working fine but now Im getting 5 beeps (which for dell indiciates cmos battery issue). Ive replaced the battery (cr2032) yet I still get the same error. Ive contacted dell support and they said its probably the motherboard if replacing the battery didnt work.

My hope is that someone here might know more and possibly get this fixed for me.

Dell XPS 8700-1251
Motherboard- OKWVT8
CPU- i7-4770k
RAM- 8gb

i have more parts but these are the only things plugged in so not bothering with the other stuff unless someone thinks its neccesary.

Any help would be apprecciated!
 
Solution
clutchc
Take the board out of the case and set it on an insulated, static-free surface. Then connected just what you need to boot to the POST screen or BIOS... CPU/cooler, memory, monitor, KB, and PSU. Start the system by momentarily shorting the two pins that the case's power button wires would connect to. If the issue is still present, the rep is probably right.

If all is good, look in the case and check to see that you didn't inadvertently add a stand-off that isn't used. It may have been shorting out the bottom of the board.
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clutchc

clutchc

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Take the board out of the case and set it on an insulated, static-free surface. Then connected just what you need to boot to the POST screen or BIOS... CPU/cooler, memory, monitor, KB, and PSU. Start the system by momentarily shorting the two pins that the case's power button wires would connect to. If the issue is still present, the rep is probably right.

If all is good, look in the case and check to see that you didn't inadvertently add a stand-off that isn't used. It may have been shorting out the bottom of the board.
 
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Solution
clutchc

clutchc

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Odd that the board worked before you removed it, and now it doesn't. Only thing that comes to mind is that you accidentally zapped it with ESD (static build up). If you weren't working on a static free surface and didn't wear a wrist strap, it's possible.

Do you have a link to the beep code for that BIOS? Are you sure 5 beeps is the CMOS battery?
 
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Raotrux

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http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm#06
http://www.bioscentral.com/postcodes/dellbios.htm

The first link was what I was basing the beep codes off of. The second one gives a different error though, maybe Im wrong then? My mobo is just default XPS 8700 and from what I can tell is just a plain dell mobo.

Something new, the mobo used to just give the 5 beeps and stop, now it actually does the 5 beeps, pauses and does it again repeatedly. Doubt it means much but putting it here just in case.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Yeah, you may be interpreting the beep code wrong. The beep code is based on the board's BIOS. I'm not sure about OEMs like Dell, but if you can tell me the BIOS manufacturer, we can track down the correct beep code for sure. I hope.

On the other hand, if this is your PC, it pretty much confirms the 5 beep code being the RTC. Hence, the CMOS battery message. If that is indeed it, it may be a corrupted BIOS. Have you tried resetting the BIOS with the jumper?
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN129632/EN
 
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Raotrux

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I used the jumper last night, wheher I did it correctly, im not sure. I put the battery back in and now the computer is working.. still dont have the graphics card back in but so far so good.. Will post an update in a bit.
 
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Raotrux

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Well, posting from the computer. Everything seems to be working normally now. Hopefully everything stays working...

Not sure what fixed it, my guess is the jumper didn't apply until after the battery was removed/reinstalled?

Anyways, thanks for the help clutchc. Good luck to anyone who stumbles upon this thread in the future.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Yes, using the CMOS reset jumper will only do a COMPLETE BIOS reset to factory default if the battery is removed. Good luck.
The usual procedure is to shut down, turn off the PSU, remove the coin battery, jumper the proper pins for ~5secs, then replace the battery, turn on the PSU, boot to BIOS and make any changes that you may have had before. Like setting your SATA mode to ACHI or IDE, however it was before. The clock/date will have to be reset as well...
 
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