Tecra checksum error

[MLV]

will the Toshiba Tecra (500cs) work without a keyboard or is that where I'm getting a checksum error?? Thanks in advance... Marty

[johnnyis42]

where are you getting the checksum error, at POST?

[MLV]

yes it is at post .. befor it actaually even looks at the bios I would say... it seems that It may be a bat cmos battery or something ... I did install an external keyboard but I still get that bad checksum msg. Don't know what a checksum might be ???

[EvilRick]

You usually see that when the CMOS battery is going bad. Does it say to hit a certain key to go into setup?

[MLV]

yes it wants me to push f1 but I aint gonna till I know why ... Been down that "just push the button rt." before and it was a bad experience.... I do Have a very good digital volt-meter so I could chk. the cmos batt. May make a good start ... unless i get peeved and just push the darn button !!!! Must appoligize for the attrocious type job on the last post.... in a hurry ya know, had a customer. Later and thanks alot for the help... now what voltage do ya think ea. of those little round batt. thingys is?? Later.. Marty

Duh I feel dumb now!!! adjusted my bi-focals and find that the voltage is right on the pack!!! By the way they are 2.2 volts per round thingy!.. Anyway thanks cause the batt. is poor showing 6.3 instead of 7.2 volts!! Now should I or shouldn't I "just push the Button"? will it automatically simply load defaults? or be very confused ?

[EvilRick]

I think you're confusing the battery pack with the CMOS battery. The CMOS battery is inside the laptop somewhere. It will look like a calculator battery.

The CMOS battery keeps the BIOS settings when it's not plugged in or powered by the laptop battery pack. If the CMOS battery is getting weak or removed, you will get the "Checksum" error and the BIOS will resort to it's defauts anyway. By pushing the 'F1' key, it wants you to go in and make any changes.

For now, you can still use the laptop, but your system date will always be wrong every time it boots up. You could bypass this by always leaving it plugged in. To fix it, you'll need to open the laptop and replace the CMOS (calculator) batter.

[MLV]

I appreciate it Rick... Yes I was (am) inside the batt looks like a bunch of camera batteries lined up and shrink wrapped?? .... and I'm gonna push the button now!!!

Well the (non) Problem is solved "Push the F1 button and get on w/ it" works just fine By the way there are two battery "packages" in there maybe one for cmos and one for??? in my mac's they would probably be called PRAM batt.'s but don't matter gonna replace 'em and be happy... Thank you very much... gonna go get my beauty rest now... Marty