Desktop Critical Battery error

[kk2187]

I have a Dell PC at work. I was using it as normal, and the monitor went to sleep and a few seconds later, the tower turned off. After a mini heart attack, I turned it back on and there was a critical battery error telling me to plug the computer in. It did a little countdown and everything resumed as it was before this happened. I guess it hibernated..

What the heck was that about?

 

[GURPS]

strange message for a desktop PC.

do you have a Uninterruptable power supply under your desk

 

[Idunno]

It has been years since I tore into a desktop, so I may be way off base here... there used to be a nickle sized battery on the motherboard that would keep the date and time current when the computer was shut down. Maybe your computer is telling you that it is in need of replacement?

 

[kk2187]

strange message for a desktop PC.

do you have a Uninterruptable power supply under your desk

That would be the backup battery, correct? If so, yes I have one. I'm not sure how old it is but I know it hasn't been used much at all. Would this have been the b/u battery dying and then the computer just being powered through the outlet the battery is plugged into?

I'm not sure if the time/date battery would cause the whole computer to turn off. But I don't know much about it :shrug:

 

[Chris0nllyn]

That would be the backup battery, correct? If so, yes I have one. I'm not sure how old it is but I know it hasn't been used much at all. Would this have been the b/u battery dying and then the computer just being powered through the outlet the battery is plugged into?

I'm not sure if the time/date battery would cause the whole computer to turn off. But I don't know much about it :shrug:

No, it's the CMOS battery.

The only thing that does is keep date/time and BIOS settings.