need a battery for my old 486

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don

I ahve an old northgate 486 computer that still works even after 15 years of
on and off service, but I notice that if I don't start it up every few weeks
that I lose all of my CMOS settings and it never seems to keep the right
date and time even when running a few days in a row - I'm assuming it needs
a battery but I don't know where I would get one.... thanks for any advice -
( Northgate computers has since gone under )
 
don said:
I ahve an old northgate 486 computer that still works even after 15 years of
on and off service, but I notice that if I don't start it up every few weeks
that I lose all of my CMOS settings and it never seems to keep the right
date and time even when running a few days in a row - I'm assuming it needs
a battery but I don't know where I would get one.... thanks for any advice -
( Northgate computers has since gone under )
Click to expand...
Google is your friend.
 
I ahve an old northgate 486 computer that still works even after 15
years of on and off service, but I notice that if I don't start it up
every few weeks that I lose all of my CMOS settings and it never seems
to keep the right date and time even when running a few days in a row -
I'm assuming it needs a battery but I don't know where I would get
one.... thanks for any advice - ( Northgate computers has since gone
under )
Click to expand...

Radio Shack
 
I ahve an old northgate 486 computer that still works even after 15 years of
on and off service, but I notice that if I don't start it up every few weeks
that I lose all of my CMOS settings and it never seems to keep the right
date and time even when running a few days in a row - I'm assuming it needs
a battery but I don't know where I would get one.... thanks for any advice -
( Northgate computers has since gone under )
Click to expand...

I assume it's not using "coin" type lithium batteries, since they
would be easy to obtain and replace. If Radio Shack doesn't have an
equivalent replacement, you could make do with your own hand cobbled
equivalent. I've seen many replacements used with computers from
the 80286 to the P6 that used a 4AA or 4AAA battery holder velcroed
to the inside of the cabinet. Less frequently a 9v battery was
used, but that *might* be too high for some motherboards. The
voltage isn't very critical as long as it's reasonably close the
that of the old battery. My guess is that 4AA cells would work very
well and would last at least 5 years, maybe longer before needing to
be replaced, assuming that the Northgate lasts that much longer. I
remember that Northgate used to be renowned for having very good
keyboards. Is yours still working? :)
 
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