Final answer:
A weak computer motherboard battery can lead to BIOS forgetfulness, incorrect system time, and lost settings, much like how car lights dim instead of shutting off immediately when the battery runs down. When such symptoms are noticed, replacing the small coin-cell battery on the motherboard should resolve the issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptom that indicates that the computer motherboard battery, which powers the BIOS system when the computer is off, is getting weak is similar to other battery-powered devices. As a battery depletes, its output voltage decreases, which can result in the BIOS forgetting settings, the date and time resetting, and potential issues with booting the computer. Just as car lights dim gradually instead of turning off immediately when a car battery runs down, a weakening motherboard battery can cause inconsistent computer behavior rather than an immediate failure.
For example, you might notice that the computer's clock is incorrect, or that settings you have configured in the BIOS interface are lost. These are common symptoms when the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) battery is failing. The battery is responsible for maintaining the power to the BIOS chip when the computer is turned off, storing settings such as system time and hardware configuration.
To maintain optimal computer function, it is recommended to replace the motherboard battery when these symptoms present themselves. The process is typically straightforward, involving replacing a small coin-cell battery on the motherboard.