Motherboard Battery Not Charging

[myrdos]

I've set up a friend with a dual-boot Ubuntu system, which he's used for a few months now. However, he started getting error messages about low voltage from the system battery when booting up. (This is a desktop computer) He replaced the battery, but the problem remained. He also reports that the computer turns on as soon as it's plugged in, and not when he pushes the power button.

However, when he booted into Windows for a while, the error message disappeared. Could it be that there's some bug in Ubuntu that's preventing the battery from charging? Or is this strictly a hardware problem?

[D-cat]

When you say "system battery," are you referring to a CMOS battery (which keeps all the settings for the clock and booting) or like a laptop battery?

If this is a laptop, it's not uncommon for Linux to use a bit more juice than Windows; that's just a function of (lack of) manufacturer support. Linux should not be preventing a battery from charging though; if the computer's plugged in, that battery should be charging.

If however the problem is a CMOS battery, these are rarely rechargable any more (too much trouble with corrosion back in the 90's), most of the time it's a Lithum button cell or sometimes a cased stack which plugs into the board. A dead CMOS battery will cause things like forgetting the last power state.

[sarlacii]

Hello... D-cat's right, those CR2032 (3V Lithium) BIOS backup batteries are not rechargeable. They last for years simply because the current drawn from them is minute... but they do eventually die, and need to be replaced.
Check that the clips are not dirty/corroded. Humidity, dust and different metals can play havoc with continuity. PC should still boot, but BIOS will be unable to store new settings. Summary: you need to get the new battery in and working. Sorry.

[myrdos]

I'm talking about the CMOS battery here. The thing is, he DID put a new battery in, but it didn't help. I'll ask him about the humidity or dust.

Thanks guys.