Solved Preserving unused PC

[Computer0304]

Hello members of SevenForums. I have stopped using my old PC, actually it's been a few months since I did, but I decided to keep it in case there is any data I ever want to get off of it. Is there anything I need to do to keep it from naturally deteriorating or is all I have to do is just put it in a cardboard box and just keep it in a safe place until needed? Will I have to turn it on once in a while in case something is wrong to check? Or would that be a waste of the PC's life and I should just leave it until I really need it? Also, the only thing you have to do to change the voltage is push the switch on the PSU over to 230, right?

 

[RogerR]

Just saving the hard drive would take up a lot less space. You could also backup any data you might need into the cloud somewhere - say a free Dropbox account - where it would be considerably more accessible than in a box on a shelf somewhere. Otherwise, its like any other electric tool; it will just lie there until you turn it on.

 

[strollin]

If the data on that computer is important then you would be far better off making multiple backups and storing them in separate places then you would be by keeping the computer stored.

Even if packed carefully and stored in a cool, dry place, some of the components (mainly capacitors) will deteriorate over time and could eventually fail.

 

[Computer0304]

Well, everything really important has been backed up, I'm just going to keep it just in case though. I will turn it on again by next January but not just yet. I just don't have the time to turn it on until January. Also, I'm just the type of person that likes to keep old things. Also, can someone answer my question about switching the voltage for the PSU?

 

[whs]

The CMOS battery will eventually die. They usually have a lifetime of appr. 7 years.

 

[spencer1]

Just saving the hard drive would take up a lot less space. You could also backup any data you might need into the cloud somewhere - say a free Dropbox account - where it would be considerably more accessible than in a box on a shelf somewhere. Otherwise, its like any other electric tool; it will just lie there until you turn it on.

Yes. I know folks who save their old HDDs, and use a docking station in case they need to get something off of them. Cheaper and easier than putting each one of them in an enclosure.

 

[Ranger4]

Well, everything really important has been backed up, I'm just going to keep it just in case though. I will turn it on again by next January but not just yet. I just don't have the time to turn it on until January. Also, I'm just the type of person that likes to keep old things. Also, can someone answer my question about switching the voltage for the PSU?

If the voltage you need to switch it too is between 220 & 240 volts then resetting the input voltage for the PSU to 230 volts should be all you need to do.

 

[Computer0304]

The CMOS battery will eventually die. They usually have a lifetime of appr. 7 years.

What happens when the CMOS battery dies? Are there any warnings of it happening? And also isn't the CMOS battery recharged when the PC is on? Or is that only for the older NiCad batteries? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Well, everything really important has been backed up, I'm just going to keep it just in case though. I will turn it on again by next January but not just yet. I just don't have the time to turn it on until January. Also, I'm just the type of person that likes to keep old things. Also, can someone answer my question about switching the voltage for the PSU?

If the voltage you need to switch it too is between 220 & 240 volts then resetting the input voltage for the PSU to 230 volts should be all you need to do.

You mean just push the voltage switch over to 230 on the PSU, right?

 

[strollin]

If/when the CMOS battery dies, you run the risk of it leaking and corroding the motherboard. There are no warnings. No, the CMOS battery is NOT charged when the PC is on.

There is no need to switch the voltage switch, leave it in the same position as you would have it in when operating it.

 

[Computer0304]

If/when the CMOS battery dies, you run the risk of it leaking and corroding the motherboard. There are no warnings. No, the CMOS battery is NOT charged when the PC is on.

There is no need to switch the voltage switch, leave it in the same position as you would have it in when operating it.

The reason I need to switch the voltage is because Korea's voltage is 220, while in America, it is 120V. Also, I thought that button cells don't leak, do they? How do I know if it has ran out? Do I get a message on startup? I won't take it out yet though since I will turn it on late December or January.

 

[whs]

If you store the PC for several years, I recommend to take the CMOS battery out. Put it back when you want to use it. That is not required if you store it only for a couple of months.

 

[S2Nice]

I'd suggest you refresh the drive before putting it away for a long time. And make a backup image of the drive, stored on another machine. There are utilities freely available for both.
I'd also second the suggestion that you remove the CMOS battery before storing. If it leaks, it will wreak havoc on your mobo that may make it useless.

I'm assuming you're going to the Republic of Korea, otherwise known in the US as South Korea. As for the voltage switch, yes you just move it to 230 and get a cord or adapter that fits the outlets in the Republic of Korea. If you're going north of the DMZ, you have more problems, as there is a mix of 110v & 220v residential service, delivered at either 50Hz or 60Hz.

As for symptoms of a failing CMOS battery, you may see something as benign as unexpected changes to the system clock/date or loss of stored BIOS settings, or more severe, like corrupted BIOS/Firmware causing an unrecoverable failure of the motherboard, or the aforementioned corrosive effects of a leaky battery. Your best bet really is to remove it, toss it, and buy a fresh one when you're ready to use the system again.

 

[RogerR]

As for symptoms of a failing CMOS battery, you may see something as benign as unexpected changes to the system clock/date or loss of stored BIOS settings, or more severe, like corrupted BIOS/Firmware causing an unrecoverable failure of the motherboard, or the aforementioned corrosive effects of a leaky battery. Your best bet really is to remove it, toss it, and buy a fresh one when you're ready to use the system again.

Just to point out that this scenario is a worst-case multi-year scenario - NOT between now and January. I can't remember ever needing to replace a CMOS battery, typically because the machine became functionally obsolete before that happened. Hard drives, motherboard capacitors etc have shorter average lifespans than the simple coin battery.
For long term data storage, digital media is fraught with risk. Software and hardware both become outmoded very quickly.

 

[Computer0304]

I'd suggest you refresh the drive before putting it away for a long time. And make a backup image of the drive, stored on another machine. There are utilities freely available for both.
I'd also second the suggestion that you remove the CMOS battery before storing. If it leaks, it will wreak havoc on your mobo that may make it useless.

I'm assuming you're going to the Republic of Korea, otherwise known in the US as South Korea. As for the voltage switch, yes you just move it to 230 and get a cord or adapter that fits the outlets in the Republic of Korea. If you're going north of the DMZ, you have more problems, as there is a mix of 110v & 220v residential service, delivered at either 50Hz or 60Hz.

As for symptoms of a failing CMOS battery, you may see something as benign as unexpected changes to the system clock/date or loss of stored BIOS settings, or more severe, like corrupted BIOS/Firmware causing an unrecoverable failure of the motherboard, or the aforementioned corrosive effects of a leaky battery. Your best bet really is to remove it, toss it, and buy a fresh one when you're ready to use the system again.

I'm in South Korea, not North Korea. If I was in North Korea, I would not even be able to access the forum. But no hard feelings. I already have cords ready.

@S2Nice, whs, RogerR: I will remove the CMOS battery after using it in January. After I remove the CMOS battery, wouldn't my BIOS settings get reset and the clock stops functioning?

 

[essenbe]

Yes, it would reset bios and the clock,. I guess it's like everything else, there is a trade off. It is much easier to reset bios and the time than the risk of replacing the motherboard.

I have a couple of older computers. I turn them on once a week, do the Windows updates and update the AV, look around to make sure it is operating OK, and turn it off. It really doesn't take much time and if anything is wrong, I can find it and fix it before it becomes a serious problem.

 

[Computer0304]

Yes, it would reset bios and the clock,. I guess it's like everything else, there is a trade off. It is much easier to reset bios and the time than the risk of replacing the motherboard.

I have a couple of older computers. I turn them on once a week, do the Windows updates and update the AV, look around to make sure it is operating OK, and turn it off. It really doesn't take much time and if anything is wrong, I can find it and fix it before it becomes a serious problem.

Well, then I guess I should do something similar to what you do, just turn it on every month to check on it. Do you remove the CMOS battery when not using your old computers? Or do you just leave it in since you turn it on every week anyway?
@whs: I will try to turn it on every month so I guess I should just keep the battery in there?
@Everyone: All I have to do to switch the voltage is push the switch to 230, right? I'm sorry if someone already answered this question somewhere in this thread, the answer just isn't clear.

 

[essenbe]

I don't remove the CMOS battery, because I am sure I would know if the battery was going. My bios settings wold be wrong, the date and time would be wrong, most likely. If you pay attention, it is usually obvious when the CMOS starts getting to weak to hold it's settings.

 

[Computer0304]

Ok, so I will turn it on every month starting January.

 

[Layback Bear]

Computer0304 you are making this way to complicated.

If you plan on starting the computer every month with a good battery and system should still work properly.

If you remove and reinstall the battery the bios should go to default and you will need to reset the time and date in bios. When in Windows 7 after boot check the date so you can get proper updates.
If by chance you have special setting in the bois you have change make a note so you can set them back that way.

If you leave the battery in and it is in good shape and stays charged just plug the computer in and boot it.

That's it.

 

[RoasterMen]

If/when the CMOS battery dies, you run the risk of it leaking and corroding the motherboard. There are no warnings. No, the CMOS battery is NOT charged when the PC is on.

There is no need to switch the voltage switch, leave it in the same position as you would have it in when operating it.

The reason I need to switch the voltage is because Korea's voltage is 220, while in America, it is 120V. Also, I thought that button cells don't leak, do they? How do I know if it has ran out? Do I get a message on startup? I won't take it out yet though since I will turn it on late December or January.

We have same Voltage. Philippines also requires 220V