Welcome to Just Ask Matt! - The IT industry’s answer to the help column, only slightly more medicated. Today, Sam writes:

I am losing my mind and I need help. Matt, every time I start my computer, I keep getting ‘checksum error’ during the computer’s startup. What the heck does this mean? And why can’t they just tell me in plain English? If you can answer this, I will be forever in your debt. Thanks.

Well Sam, if I were to guess, I would wager that your CMOS battery is going south. In other words, there is a small clock battery set on your motherboard inside your computer. What you need to do is to replace it. Now here comes the moment of truth. If you have a computer that is so old that the battery gave way on you, this is always an opportunity for a new motherboard.

That being said, more than likely you just want to get that thing replaced and get back to computing. Now while more often than not it is easy enough to remove the battery, be aware that not only will you need to find a PC shop that carries your size, but on really old motherboards the battery is actually soldered on there. My advice, if it is soldered on there, then just buy a new board (in some cases you may end up just buying a new PC if it is a brand name PC like Compaq or HP). You’ll be glad you did! Good luck!

Do you have an IT-related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the
comments may be, drop me a line, and you too can “Just Ask Matt!”