Before Windows load I'm getting the 'System battery voltage is low' message.

[Enthusiast]

I asked my brother about this. He is talking about going into the 'bios' (or something) to somehow preserve my settings.

What can I do? I have been getting this message for about a week now.

Thanks.

[Turbineguy]

1. There are people around here that know more about this than I, but

I have had a similar experience. The motherboard has a battery that maintains bios settings when your computer is off. In laptops the battery seems to be soldered in, but in a desktop it can easily be replaced. I believe the bios will revert to its "birth settings" when the computer is switched off without a working battery. So any updates would have to be done over.

Is your computer 3 or more years old? The batteries are usually good for a number of years. Of course if the computer is turned off for a long time the battery could be depleted.

[Enthusiast]

2. Thanks, Turbineguy. This PC could be old. I bought it used on E-bay and I've had it two years.

[steve2470]

3. if you replace the CMOS battery, be very careful

I'm guessing that's the problem. These batteries are held in by a clip or a bracket and they can break easily, so be very careful.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000239.htm

video tutorial here:

[Enthusiast]

5. Thanks, Steve.

[Enthusiast]

7. If I lost my updates would microsoft force me to change from Windows 7 to Windows 10,

if I redid the updates? Thanks.

[gvstn]

9. Your software stays the same.

The battery has nothing to do with Windows. All it does is keep track of date and time and maybe some hardware configurations, to save a few seconds on startup. After changing the battery, you may have to check the time/date stamp in the lower right of Win7 and make sure it is correct. If not then use the option to change settings and then go to the Internet tab to sync with internet time. Then you are all set.

[gvstn]

4. Cr2032 is the standard battery type.

As described in that video. To tell the truth, I've found that the ones you get at the dollar store are perfectly fine when compared to the $5 you'll pay for a Duracell or Energizer. My Dollar Tree sells two Sylvania c2032 for $1. It would be $10 for 2 Duracells and it takes a long time to drain even the cheapest battery.

[Enthusiast]

6. Thanks. It seems I have one of the Cr2032 that was included with my neck vibrator thingie.

This operates a vibrator-stimulator for my injured neck vertebrae. So I'm all fixed up with a new battery. This one is a Rayovac new in package.

[gvstn]

8. My current computer has a battery that is hard to dislodge.

Just like the kid in the video. Make sure you remove the power cord before changing the battery. I've had to resort to using the little filing tool found on most nail clippers to press the clip to release the battery, you don't want to do that with the power on.

The whole procedure is really not hard. I've done it a thousand times. It is just that some clips holding the battery in place are not as easy to use as others.

Good luck! It really is a simple procedure like changing a light bulb.

[Enthusiast]

10. Thanks for all your help, gvstn!