...meant by CMOS checksum error and how would this...

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Answer by etherore
Submitted on 3/20/2004
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I have where I can't shut down my computer? Last night I evidently shut down my computer and had to restart it ten times to get it to come up to the Windows XP start screen. Four of the ten tries, I had an orange light and the DVD light, one of them I had no lights, four were all the lights and the tenth one obviously came on. When XP started to load, I saw an error message: CMOS Checksum Error default loaded. I pressed F1 to continue and Windows loaded fine. When I reached my desktop, I also got a message that it found a new piece of hardware, a multimedia controller which it then "installed." Nothing new had been installed on the computer. I can hear that my chipset fan isn't running quite right. It had stopped and I got it turning but I'm planning on replacing it. Could the chipset fan not working have caused this problem? I've seen batteries mentioned but this computer is under 2 years old so I am not sure if that makes sense. Thanks.

Answer by xenohobbit
Submitted on 10/25/2004
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I have the same problem CMOS checksum error - Defaults loaded. I had a working system with 3 PCI cards installed, and working. I then needed to install a 4th PCI card (TV Tuner). The card did not fit, so I dremmeled the case so that the card could be angled in to fit into the bottom PCI slot. But during this process, I decided that I wanted my other 3 cards to be in different slots (for wiring reasons). I moved the three cards to new slots, and I dremmeled the case, added the card, and checked all the cables, and plugged in the 4 fans that previously were unplugged. When I tried to boot, I got the CHECKSUM ERROR, and the F1/Del option. I chose F1, and my OS loaded, but between each process (i.e. the Preparing Network Connections, The CTRL ALT DEL to enter the password) it took and unusually long time to complete. I think that I may have caused the CHECKSUM error by moving all the cards around, so I took all cards out except one so that the system would not have so much "work" to do to load. My OS will not load the enter password screen. It just hangs on the blue background (only thing visible is a blue background-no dialog boxes). I will try tho F6 the BIOS. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, that would be great.

Answer by Indy
Submitted on 7/7/2005
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Yes ive had the same problem before, except when i got to the bios screen everything took really long to load it took 10 minutes to detect the master ide, it took like 15 minutes just to get into the bios options. it happened after i installed an extra harddrive which worked fine at first but then a day later it didnt show up in windows anymore so i restarted the computer. and thats when the problems began, so naturally i removed the secondary harddrive which did not help. after a day of ripping my hair and calling the manufacturer and about to flash the bios, which i didnt wanna do. I said let me put the jumper on the master harddrive back where it was before i installed the secondary harddrive and that totally fixed it.

Answer by JediComputers
Submitted on 4/8/2006
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I don't know about you, but problems with tigerdirect.com seem to be my problem. If your computer reads these errors and you just made it from parts, the seller may have sold you junk on purpose or accident. I am creating a new system at the moment and had the seller try to jack me around and try to take my money without giving me parts, then I was given at least a bad CPU. The seller also tried to recharge my card again in an unauthorised fashion. When I had it replaced I finally got it to boot once to a checksum error and then not boot up after that. I think it is a problem with bad parts on my part that were sold to me in an attempt to rip me off. If others have this problem with tigerdirect.com please let me know. I wish to file a class action lawsuit.

Answer by Jason
Submitted on 9/14/2006
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Hey fellas. Unfortunately im here to samy the same thing but i think mine is a bit more severe. I boot up my computer. I see the video card confirmation and info , then i see the Lanparty nf4 logo. From there i can either go into the bios or it will take me to another bllack screen the gives me confirmations on my HD'sand drives installed. At the bottem of that screen i get a CMOS Checksum error. Now after doing some research and talking to people CMOS checksum error just has to do with something minor inferering with the CMOS such as , a wrong date in the motherboard. If i press F1 to continue i can boot windows from CD and i can go all the way through the installation until i ahve to reboot my computer. From that point on i have to reset the jumper on my CMOS. I have to continueously reset this jumper every single time i want the computer to restart. Forinstance. If i go into the bios. and set a setting and save. Then exit. As everyone elses computer does teh same the computer restarts to load those settings but mine cant save those settings because i have to reset the jumper. Same thing goes if i try to install windows. I get to the restart point then i have to reset the jumper and windows installation cancels. Please if someone can help me this would be a dream come true. I contacted DFI and a tech told me that DFI lanparty boards arent exactly stable with 4 sticks of ram. I forgot to say above that i have 4 sticks of 256mb dual channel ram. I hope this can be solved. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Answer by GIINOZ
Submitted on 9/29/2006
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Hi for the 80 wire cables, they like their 40 older version IDE cables have sometimes a crimping problem when manufactured and any of the IDC connectors that plug into the MB, HDD, CD/DVD (Readers or burners.) may be detected by the MB BIOS but not windows or not at all. Two solutions are 1. buy new cable. 2.Recrimp IDC connector by using a pressing device (Vice, some form of press, please note that if using a vice or press care must be taken not to squash the connector. If the cable has the strain relief on it (IE the cable folds back over the connector, or the center connector has one then buy a new cable.) You could use a leg of a chair and slowly work from one side to the other using your body weight to press the connector, must be done on hard flat floor ensuring connector does not roll over. If you muck up you will stilll have to by a cable. If new cable fails take back to place of purchase and get new one.

Answer by ANTHONY
Submitted on 12/12/2006
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Please read. I recently got a CMOS checksum error too. Before I ever got this error, one of my IDEs did not work. The strange thang is that my computer will run windows and all the sudden there is no signal to the monitor but the cpu fans and everything else has power and its functional. My cpu temperature is always too Hot and I have tested my cpu chip to see if its back but its not the cpu chip because it wasn't getting on on my other mobo. Let me tell you that I have the latest Bios and I am VIRUS free. I am not sure what is causing all these problems, but I hope these problems are coming from one thing. I will replace the mobo battery soon, but I am not sure if that is going to solve the probel. Any suggestions plz email me at L9AR@yahoo.com THANK YOU.

Answer by James
Submitted on 2/18/2007
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I had the same problems as everyone else, symptoms including - Multiple resets to get system to boot - and even then if you could get it to boot it would go into blue screen of death saying something about ACPI failure. Bios checksum would check bad upon post (especially if you take out all the RAM chips and try to boot it) Only a cold boot would bring the computer on (screen and post) ie - turning off the switch on the back of power supply and then let it sit for a bit, and turn it back on. These are all symptoms of a bad power supply. I robbed one from an older ATX case I had in the garage and put in my current computer - fixed everything, and now my computer is running fine. If you have a spare power supply available make SURE its ATX compatible (the easy way is to look at the connector from the supply that connects directly to the motherboard - if it is the same type of connector it's compatible. (or go to a store like fry's electronics or bestbuy and ask for an ATX power supply) Hope that helps - happy computing. :)

Answer by RoadRunner
Submitted on 3/8/2007
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If your PC is randomly rebooting whilst trying to start Windows XP, or if you are getting the ''found new hardware'' balloon even when you haven't added any new hardware, I suggest your Windows installation has gone bad. This has happened to me recently. The only real fix is to format the relevant HDD or partition of the HDD containing your Windows installation and then re-install XP. This ought to work. As for the CMOS checksum errors a lot of you are reporting it will more than likely be a dead or nearly dead CMOS battery. Replace it. Flashing the BIOS wont do any good till you have changed the battery as it will forget your new BIOS as soon as you power down. Any questions feel free to email barrycollinsbam@ukonline.co.uk

Answer by JoeShmoe
Submitted on 6/19/2007
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I have had this problem occur on MANY computers, all the info here is correct. 1: Battery is leading culprit 2: Bad CMOS info can cause it (fixed by a BIOS upgrade.) 3: Wrong temp setting. But another thing that can cause this is a failing motherboard, I suggest looking at the capacitors seeing if ANY of them are bulging, or leaking fluid. They have a X on the top, and they should not be crowned, normally when new, they are sunken in, or flat, if they have raised upward a great deal where this X has widened, then its a good sign the capacitor is swelling and beginning to fail. This can lead to issues with the motherboards power supply and cause a CMOS Checksum failure to occur. I recommend doing a line power test and see if indeed the capacitor is bad or not. What it amounts to if both the easy options fail to solve the problem, then let a pro take a look I never recommend a novice to do any sort of volt tests themselves. A tech will also have a program that can give a reading on the CMOS and other components intrusively such as EuroSoft. I consider Checksum to be the most least understood error because alot of little things can cause this to happen. Age really has little to do with it, Ive built computers that have given a checksum error off the get go, so just cause your new, dont think that the problem is simple, bad parts are more common then we like to admit.

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Question by Christine
Submitted on 12/2/2003
Related FAQ: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Part 1/5
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What is meant by CMOS checksum error and how would this situation be handled?

Answer by itelllc
Submitted on 1/1/2004
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You probably need to replace your internal battery (looks like a big watch battery) Write down all your BIOS settings, replace the battery, then boot up and set your BIOS settings to where they were.

Answer by freddy
Submitted on 1/13/2004
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I just had the CMOS checksum error while starting the computer, so I pressed F1 and continued. I just don't think it's the battery, because the computer is 2-3 months old, and all parts were new. I also have another problem, which is that it tells me at start up that the IDE 80 connector cable isn't installed, or something like that, which prevents one of my hard drives to be found by windows.

Answer by G-Man
Submitted on 1/13/2004
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I just built a new PC and am having the same prob. Did change the battery and still doing the same thing. I can also F1 to boot up but I have to clear my CMOS jumpers every time. I am thinking my processor might be bad. I am stumped. HELP!

Answer by Mark
Submitted on 1/13/2004
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Put the blue end of the IDE cable on to the bleu port of your mainboard. It makes a differents witch side of the cable is pluged in.

Answer by JAUX
Submitted on 1/22/2004
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Have you upgraded the BIOS? This could be your fix read on. After upgrading the BIOS on a motherboard, the new BIOS will likely take up more bytes of ROM than the replaced BIOS. The difference in the BIOS image file byte count is detected by the system as a checksum error. CMOS checksum errors require that you enter Setup, check and save your settings, and exit Setup a second time.

Answer by thecobra
Submitted on 1/29/2004
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i am having the same problem; however, when i try to save and exit from bios, the computer exits bios but does not seem to reboot. ie. monitor loses signal, fans and everything running, but i don't get the familiar startup beep. i work with computers for a living and have checked out the jumpers, flashed the bios and loaded the updated version, checked and rechecked the other various connections. and yes, the internal speaker is hooked up... anybody out there know a fix?

Answer by Tech Noob
Submitted on 1/30/2004
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I get the same error CMOS checksum error, but my computer restarts every 20 or so seconds after boot up. Any thoughts on why?

Answer by pigwidgeon
Submitted on 1/30/2004
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i get the same prob, it might be the battery, but chances are, it's the board goin out. after a while, ur pc's won't start at all and u'll have to change ur board. happened to me bout 5 times already

Answer by cybertai
Submitted on 2/1/2004
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Hi.. i'amhaving the same problem.. i get the IDE 80 connector cable isn't installed and checksome error .. what's happening and what's the fix ?

Answer by matthewcorgan
Submitted on 2/1/2004
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if your running windows xp the rebooting is a common problem... there's a glich in the auto reboot so if you have a temp monitor set to turn off when your cpu reaches a certain temp set that temp to a higher setting

Answer by cybertai
Submitted on 2/2/2004
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hi, i went into bios and choose the load-Fail default.. and all the errors are gone.. i suspect that cmos error caused all those messages... but now all is working fine

Answer by fger
Submitted on 2/11/2004
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The checksum error is product of the battery state low or some bad configuration. I recommend this: 1�_ disconnect all expansions card an ide cables. then try to boot normally. If don�t show the checksum error, the motherboard is ok and the problem is in some of the expansion card or ide cables. 2� if after the first step the problem persist, then i recommend to upgrade the bios. Sorry about my English, but my natural language are Spanish. For any question, email-me

Answer by thecobra
Submitted on 2/13/2004
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.... see above and after you do #1, you should try connecting everything one thing at a time, load failsafe defaults, check the cmos battery (if it's a new board it more than likely isn't part of the problem), look at the bios chip for scratches, reset the cmos (which will create the checksum error until you reload failsafe defaults in bios). if this doesn't do the trick, feel free to email me mailto:collins.garrett@shaw.af.mil

Answer by Lizzrd
Submitted on 2/29/2004
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I too am having the same problems with the checksum error and the 80 wire cable thing. I have been building PC's for the last 7 years and have never run into this problem. This is a new mobo and the PC will not boot! I have tried different processors, memory, batteries, etc... The best it will do is post - only when IT wants to - after several resets! HELP!

Answer by Spider210
Submitted on 3/5/2004
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Quoted By G-man "I just built a new PC and am having the same prob. Did change the battery and still doing the same thing. I can also F1 to boot up but I have to clear my CMOS jumpers every time." I also have to clear CMOS everytime I either hit f1 or I goto the bios setup and then either save or exit as I just reboot and it stays blank. Not sure what the problem could be, I contacted the manufacture as I just built this pc and are un able to use it

Answer by The Viper
Submitted on 3/6/2004
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HI ,, i have the same problem ,,,also the keyboard doesn'twork properly i tried everything , and when i want 2 update the BIOS the computer freezes,,,,,,,

Answer by thecobra
Submitted on 3/9/2004
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for "The Viper" and "Spider210" it looks like you guys need a new motherboard. check my above posts to see if any of that helps before you get the mobo replaced...

Answer by The 36th Venom
Submitted on 3/26/2004
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Hi, i got the same problem, when i boot, i always got a "CMOS checksum error" and press F1... If i go in the BIOS, when i save, the PC don't reboot and i got to clear the BIOS... I see on the web that is a VIRUS that is called "CMOS checksum error generator" !!! The solution is to "backup" your winXP to a day where your PC worked fine, search for "cmos.asm" on your hard drives and delete it... I don't test it yet, but if it can help one of you all... bye.

Answer by jushkun
Submitted on 3/27/2004
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i am having the same problem; however, when i try to save and exit from BIOS, the computer exits bios but does not seem to reboot. ie. monitor loses signal, fans and everything running, but i don't get the familiar startup beep. the internal speaker is hooked up... then i restarted the system this time i got the message < CMOS Checksum Error - loaded default > press F1 ...... Etc. this time my keyboard dose not work i changed the keyboard but still had the same error then i tried to use the keyboard by the USB port but it dose not work. i could not go to the Bios setup.if any body got answer please inform me by email < jushkun@msn.com >

Answer by Ben
Submitted on 3/29/2004
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I have been getting CMOS checksum errors with several IBM MPROs i have, they are old donated equipment that came without batteries. I replaced the batteries and it seemed to fix the problem. However a couple of days latter some were still getting cmos errors, and had crazy date and times in the bios. I changed the dates and shutdown the computer, left it alone for a couple of minutes and started it up again. It seemed to be working properly, but I have a feeling this is only a temporary solution. My guess is the board is bad any thoughts?

Answer by nabeel
Submitted on 4/8/2004
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Hi! I have seen many times this error CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR..i found this solution actually this error comes from a processor so u have to fix yr processor frequency on the motherboard if u have a old motherboard ..if u have a new motherboard like Pentium 4, Pentium 3 then u check a processor frequency on the CMOS Setup..sorry my English its not good..if u have any ways question so u can contact to me on my email ID.. nabmos@hotmail.com THANKS

Answer by didi
Submitted on 4/11/2004
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i would like to know my computer writes cmos checksum error i tried changing the batteri that did not help help me please

Answer by tat
Submitted on 4/14/2004
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It seems you all are able to press F1 to enter the setup or some other keys to continue. My problem is -- NO RESPONSE was given when i encountered the same problem and tried to press some buttons to do something. I will try to replace the battery but what if it still doesn't work?

Answer by mdc
Submitted on 4/18/2004
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I am having the exact same problem with not being able to save any settings in the CMOS, then rebooting only to find nothing at all. I can clear the CMOS, then press F2 in my case to "load default settings" and it will boot fine. Any attempt to set or change anything in the CMOS and save and exit requires a subsequent CMOS clearing. I've never seen anything like this either. Some data: AMI BIOS, upgraded to most recent verson (I flashed it with mfg. newest ROM code), PC Chips MB, Socket 462/Athlon XP. Any ideas? I'm contacting the supplier to find out what I can.

Answer by merlin
Submitted on 5/20/2004
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im having the same problem, checksum error press f1 or del for bios etc. One in every 40 times it might make it to windows. how do upgrade the bios???

Answer by John
Submitted on 5/21/2004
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i'm having the same problem, checksum eror -load default , CPU have been changed... I don't know this problem and I don't change the CPU. CMOS is old software, isn't it ????

Answer by acid_burnn
Submitted on 5/24/2004
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A checksum error can be displayed when a new piece of hardware is installed and it is either incompatible with the motherboard or it is malfunctioning. I had the same problem after i installed a new stick of memory and it also made my computer restart every few minutes. It restarts because the memory was broken so every time the computer needed more RAM it would go to that new stick and once it hit the bad part of the stick it restarts. I replaced the memory and the checksum error went away and the computer only restarts when i tell it to. :)

Answer by msiu
Submitted on 6/17/2004
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I have the same problem like Jushkun, cmos checksum error, default loaded, hit f1 or del to enter setup. but when I hit those keys nothing happened. keyboard does not response at all, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer by glitch177k
Submitted on 6/25/2004
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I was having similar issues where I would boot up and before I could even see the screen my PC would turn off. At one point I briefly saw a "checksum" error and that's how I got here. I fixed the issue by switching the fan around. Turns out I had the fan on backwards and it wasn't making a good connection to the processor so it was overheating REALLY fast.

Answer by Martin
Submitted on 7/8/2004
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Hi i had the same problem. CMOS Checksum error default loaded. If I changed some settings in BIOS i was forced to clear CMOS. I solved the problem by choosing load optimized settings in the BIOS. If you haven't tried that, try it! Good luck!

Answer by ANNEX
Submitted on 7/13/2004
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A checksum is computed as an error detecting code to protect the BIOS settings stored in the CMOS memory.Maybe the most common cause of checksum error in CMOS is a battery that is losing power,viruses can also affect CMOS settings and motherboard problems can also affect the stored values.

Answer by daas
Submitted on 8/8/2004
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hi.. i m gettin the same'cmoschecksum error - defoults loaded' but i cant use the keyboard, i cant press del for bios or f1 to continue..i changed the battery but no use...any solution anybody knows???

Answer by kajaak
Submitted on 9/5/2004
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check this maybe ??http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326687

Answer by ELmAc
Submitted on 9/10/2004
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Just take out the lithium battery & then put it back in . In most cases this works as the CMOS loses all its memory , setting everything back to default .