Hi got an old IBM Thinkpad 600x which works absolutely fine and the only problem i have is the CMOS battery is on it's last legs ! Usual thing "error" 163 reset time date etc. I have ordered a new battery, which is compatible with OEM,i.e: comes in a nifty little package with 2 cables attached and a little plug.

Now although familiar with "grown up" PC's like desktops I have never changes a CMOS batery on a laptop. My friend has filled me full of scare stories like " If you take the CMOS battery out you kill the BIOS and you neeed passwords to recover it" amongst others ! Is it true? If it is how do I do it without doing what he said? Must be a way Any info gratefully accepted. Thanks in advance. Brian

Brian Timmins, February 2008

You will not lose anything when you replace the CMOS battery except your bios password (if you ever had one).

Bruce, June 2008

I was wrong ,just checked the time and it was 10.40 by the time I had finished LOL even better. Cheers Brian

Brian Timmins, March 2008

Thanks for the advice guys. I ordered my CMOS battery yesterday at 14.37 and it was delivered at 9.45 this morning ! Not bad going. By 11.40 I had read your comments gathered the tools ,replced the battery and had a cup of tea. All works fine ,the CMOS batt was out and in again within seconds and I didn't even have to reset the on board clock to date and time. Thanks again. Brian

PS i will tell my friend to tell the guy down the pub he is wrong LOL ,Cheers.

Brian Timmins, March 2008

hi brian,

you best bet is to search online for a disassembly guide for a thinkpad that looks like yours. (fortunately the style hasn't changed much)

it will wipe the settings in your bios, true, but the default settings are generally sane.

password wise, you shouldn't have any trouble. your friend is just fear mongering.

i'd record all of the settings in your bios on paper, disassemble, swap the battery, and reassemble.

P Melse, March 2008

Your friend is talking rubbish. (He's not related to "The Man in the Pub" is he?)

If you go to www.lenovo.com and download a Hardware Maintenance Manual it will step you through the correct procedure for changing the the battery.

t, February 2008