When your motherboard does not save settings it may be time to replace the CMOS battery

Your motherboard may forget the time and date or the onboard device settings at some point in time. A Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) is used on the computer's motherboard to save the system settings (time and date, on-board devices, etc.). It uses an on-board battery to keep it powered when the system is turned off. The standard replacement is a CR2032 lithium battery.

A generic CR2032 lithium cell

Common indicators that the CMOS battery needs to be replaced

• You start your computer and almost immediately get a message similar to this: System settings have changed. Press F1 to resume, F2 to Setup.
• You run your computer 24/7, only restarting for maintenance. You notice that the on-board clock is running slow and not keeping the correct time.

Replacing the CMOS battery

1. With the system turned off, unplug the power cord.
2. Open the computer case.
3. Locate the CMOS battery.
   
4. Press the battery release lever, and the battery will pop up.
   
   
5. Replace with a new battery.
6. Close the computer case and plug in the power cord.