MSI motherboard CMOS battery obsolescence: Difference between revisions

← Older edit Newer edit →

VisualWikitext

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Cleanup}}
 ==Background==
-Recent [[MSI]] motherboards have moved on from easily accessible clip-mount holders for their CMOS batteries. Instead, MSI has begun shipping board designs where the CMOS battery is hidden behind the {{Wplink|voltage regulator module}} (VRM) heatsink assembly<ref>[[:File:CSWiki MSIZ890Assembled Labeled.png]]</ref><ref>[[:File:CSWiki-MainboardBatteryMSI.png]]</ref>, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=benjy124302a4 |date=2022-04-15 |title=MSI Pro B660M-A CMOS battery location? |url=https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302095843/https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global English Forum}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-29 |title=Where is the location of CMOS battery on this motherboard? |url=https://www.msi.com/faq/9918 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global}}</ref>  This substantially complicates servicing/repair of devices that are assembled using mainboards that have this layout.  For more than 40 years CMOS batteries have been standard CR2032<ref name=":2" /> batteries that are available, cheaply, at any store, and mounted in an accessible location.  This new board design means testing the battery now necessitates a full device disassembly, and replacing it requires a specific replacement part, with a specific plug interface, or the type of equipment that only a professional repair shop would have.  This pointlessly adds more consumer cost and increases the likelihood of an entirely functional devices being disposed of due to the failure of a simple standardized battery.
+Recent [[MSI]] motherboards have moved on from easily accessible clip-mount holders for their CMOS batteries. Instead, MSI has begun shipping board designs where the CMOS battery is hidden behind the {{Wplink|voltage regulator module}} (VRM) heatsink assembly<ref name=":3">[[:File:CSWiki MSIZ890Assembled Labeled.png]]</ref><ref>[[:File:CSWiki-MainboardBatteryMSI.png]]</ref>, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=benjy124302a4 |date=2022-04-15 |title=MSI Pro B660M-A CMOS battery location? |url=https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302095843/https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global English Forum}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-29 |title=Where is the location of CMOS battery on this motherboard? |url=https://www.msi.com/faq/9918 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global}}</ref>  This substantially complicates servicing/repair of devices that are assembled using mainboards that have this layout.  For more than 40 years CMOS batteries have been standard CR2032<ref name=":2" /> batteries that are available, cheaply, at any store, and mounted in an accessible location.  This new board design means testing the battery now necessitates a full device disassembly, and replacing it requires a specific replacement part, with a specific plug interface, or the type of equipment that only a professional repair shop would have.  This pointlessly adds more consumer cost and increases the likelihood of an entirely functional devices being disposed of due to the failure of a simple standardized battery.
 ==CMOS Battery Obsolescence & Misleading Language in User Manuals==
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 [[File:CSWiki-MainboardBatteryMSI.png|alt=CMOS Battery Location|397x397px|thumb|MSI Z890 Edge TI Wifi Mainboard with VRM heatsink removed and CMOS battery highlighted]]
 *Obtain a new standard CR2032 battery.  Alternatively, replacement CR2032 for MSI Laptops that ship with the lead are available from third party vendors.  The connectors from these products appear to match the MSI mainboard plug<ref>{{Cite web |others=Archive didn't preserve the image, Use the Live Link if you need to see the picture. |title=MSI Laptop Cell Discussion Thread |url=https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/cmos-battery-replacement.391638/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260304092350/https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/cmos-battery-replacement.391638/ |archive-date=2026-03-04 |website=MSI Forums}}</ref>, though this is unconfirmed.  If you have obtained one of these and the connector fits, you will not need a tack welder or shrink wrap in the steps below.
-*Un-mount your mainboard from your computer case and look for several screws on the reverse side of the board opposing the VRM assembly.  Removing these allows you to remove the VRM heatsink.
+*Un-mount your mainboard from your computer case and look for several screws on the reverse side of the board opposing the VRM assembly<ref name=":3" />.  Removing these allows you to remove the VRM heatsink.
 *Be mindful of the exposed thermal pads, and keep them clean while performing this process.  Cover exposed pads with plastic wrap if your work environment is not clean.
 *If your model contains an RGB lighting assembly on the VRM heatsink watch for the cable that is attached to the mainboard to enable this.  Carefully unplug that cable if present.