Where's Waldo (CMOS battery)?

[Jobu]

Any ideas on where the CMOS Battery might be located on this board? I have a dead PC, Fans spin continually but no boot-up, video or mouse/keyboard power. In the process of replacing the RAM in case that is the issue. Also want to replace the CMOS battery but can’t find it.

Can’t see any markings telling me the model number of the board and the specs I find online seem to list everything but the board model.

System Details:

CybertronPC

Rhodium GTX1050 (Blue)

[Pyro]

The CMOS battery is located under in-between the PCIe slots, you will need to remove the GPU to get at it.

[ATTACH type=“full”]10529[/ATTACH]

Remember to replace it with a quality battery.

[Rustys]

Can’t see any markings telling me the model number of the board and the specs I find online seem to list everything but the board model.

Just below the graphics card is the information that you needed.

[Jobu]

Thanks to both of you, found it but not before first mistakenly reading GPU as CPU. Now at least I know the procedures to get at that. While removing the heat sink over the CPU I noticed there was not a lot of thermal paste between the two. It was mostly just a chalky outline of what might have been thermal paste. Is this something I should think about adding between the two?

[Rustys]

Now that you have removed it you will have to remove the old paste and replace with new.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/how-to-apply-thermal-paste.html#:~:text=Make%20sure%20that%20the%20CPU, let%20it%20dry%20before%20continuing.

[Pyro]

If you removed the CPU cooler you must replace the thermal paste.

You have compromised the seal between the two by introducing air gaps/bubbles between the heatsinks.

Paste will dry out over time, I have never found this to be an issue unless you are experiencing higher than usual temperatures.

At this point it is not a good idea to turn the computer on, heat can and will damage electronic components.

Any quality thermal paste will work, I like Noctua’s NT-H2, but Thermal Grizzly, or Arctic would work as well.

To clean/reapply thermal paste:

Wipe the old thermal paste with something non-conductive and lint free (Coffee filters are a favorite, but paper towels work as well if you’re careful).

If necessary, use Isopropyl Alcohol -People use 70% but it is good to use 90% or higher- to clean off any stubborn residual paste. (Ensure it has had time to dry before reinstalling the cooler or adding thermal paste).

Once the heatsink of the CPU Cooler and the CPU Lid are clean, apply a small pea sized drop of thermal paste to the CPU and reseat the cooler.

Reinstall the cooler as per Manufacturer’s recommendations

[Jobu]

Well noticed about the thermal paste. I will run out to the store after work to pick some up. Thanks for the instructions on cleaning and application.

[Pyro]

Just note that the computer should be fully unplugged before touching anything on the inside of it, keeping yourself safe is step #1.

Come back to us with any questions, it’s better to ask a question and learn than to guess and cause damage, we’re here to help.

[phillpower2]

Not heard back from you Jobu, do you still require assistance or is the issue now resolved, an update would be appreciated.

[Jobu]

The new stick of RAM was delayed in getting to me. It arrived over the weekend so I hope to get to installing the new RAM, cleaning the CPU and Heat sink and applying the new thermal paste today or tomorrow. Depends on how much work/life gets in the way.

[Rustys]

You will need to create a thread should you have any issues with the new hardware the original questions has been answered.