BATCHECK Version 0.0
CMOS Battery Checker
Freeware from Kirk Lawrence


Many non-technically-inclined computer owners aren't aware that their AT-class
computer's CMOS has a battery, which will eventually go bad and have to be
replaced (every 3 to 5 years, on average).

When an AT-class machine (286, 386, 486, Pentium, etc.) begins to experience
problems, such as failing to recognize its drives, one of the first things
one should suspect is a bad CMOS battery.

The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is a 64 or 128 byte RAM
memory module that is a part of the system clock chip.  It's used in AT-
class machines to store certain information that the computer needs to know.

The CMOS RAM is volatile.  In other words, it must have power applied to it
continuously in order to retain its information.  That power is supplied by
a small battery.  When the battery gets very weak or dies completely, the
computer "loses its mind" and starts exhibiting many strange symptoms.

Unfortunately, there's no easy way for a non-technical computer user to do
a full-fledged check of the CMOS battery.  Such a check requires removing
the machine's case, finding the battery inside the computer (not always an
easy task), then using a volt/ohm meter to test the battery's voltage.  This
procedure is often beyond the abilities of the normal home computer user.

But the next-best thing is to use BATCHECK.  While BATCHECK can't diagnose
the actual =condition= of the CMOS battery (NO software program can do that),
BATCHECK determines whether or not the CMOS is getting the necessary power it
requires from the battery.  This "pass/fail" test is a useful diagnostic tool
because it either confirms, or rules out, the CMOS battery as a potential
source of trouble.  BATCHECK reports what it finds by displaying a self-
explanatory message on the screen.

Since a bad CMOS battery can often prevent a computer from recognizing, or
booting from, its hard disk, a system-formatted floppy disk should always
be kept on hand for emergency "boot-up" purposes.  It's suggested that
BATCHECK.CMD be copied to this emergency boot disk, so that it's readily
available when needed.  To run the program from the CP/M-86 prompt, just type

   BATCHECK

...and then press the ENTER key.

NOTE: If executed on a PC- or XT-class machine, BATCHECK will display an
error message on the screen, then immediately exit.  8086/8088-based com-
puters don't have a CMOS...so running BATCHECK on such a machine would be
a totally superfluous thing to do.

BATCHECK.CMD is free.  As is always the case with "freeware," there are no
guarantees whatsoever.  If you use the program, you do entirely at your own
risk and peril.  Your use of BATCHECK.CMD shall be prima facie evidence under
law that you understand and agree to these terms and conditions.