T23 CMOS Battery

[Summer Deep]

I've been trying to restore a 'spares and repairs' T23 to good usable condition. So far the dvd drive has been renewed and I've installed an internal hard drive and operating system, which was not without problems. But progress has stalled with repeated failed attempts to replace the dead CMOS battery.

Firstly, could anyone please tell me whether the red or the black wire should be on the left? I've assumed the latter, as that's how I recall it being positioned when removing the old one, but I'm far from certain.

Secondly, how to get it to plug in? The restricted working area in the battery compartment has made this impossible so far: I've tried holding the tiny white connector with tweezers, but they just slip off the hard, shiny plastic. If I try to insert it when attached to the black plastic 'cradle' (or whatever it's called) I can't see where I'm putting the connector, as the cradle assembly obscures the view. Plus, securing the connector to the cradle is an incredibly fiddly and difficult business, and I'm sure I'll only be able to attempt it a few times before the very thin, fragile wires get damaged. Whoever designed this setup clearly didn't think through the implications for future owners!

I know there've been one or two other threads on this subject, but I've read them and am not much the wiser.

I've noted that the BIOS seems to retain its clock settings after the operating system is shut down, provided that the laptop is on on mains power and that it's not disconnected, but this is hardly any kind of 'solution'.

[kfzhu1229]

I've been trying to restore a 'spares and repairs' T23 to good usable condition. So far the dvd drive has been renewed and I've installed an internal hard drive and operating system, which was not without problems. But progress has stalled with repeated failed attempts to replace the dead CMOS battery.

Firstly, could anyone please tell me whether the red or the black wire should be on the left? I've assumed the latter, as that's how I recall it being positioned when removing the old one, but I'm far from certain.

Secondly, how to get it to plug in? The restricted working area in the battery compartment has made this impossible so far: I've tried holding the tiny white connector with tweezers, but they just slip off the hard, shiny plastic. If I try to insert it when attached to the black plastic 'cradle' (or whatever it's called) I can't see where I'm putting the connector, as the cradle assembly obscures the view. Plus, securing the connector to the cradle is an incredibly fiddly and difficult business, and I'm sure I'll only be able to attempt it a few times before the very thin, fragile wires get damaged. Whoever designed this setup clearly didn't think through the implications for future owners!

I know there've been one or two other threads on this subject, but I've read them and am not much the wiser.

I've noted that the BIOS seems to retain its clock settings after the operating system is shut down, provided that the laptop is on on mains power and that it's not disconnected, but this is hardly any kind of 'solution'.

You make sure the connector is right against the plastic tray, and use the little arm of the plastic tray to force the connector in, if it is the right orientation. I will double check the orientation of my T23 CMOS battery to give you a better visualisation.
Worst comes to worst you can always disassemble the palmrest to connect the battery with a much better view.
While this solution isn't the most ideal one, it is still far better than some other home computers that I have seen, which has the tiny cells soldered onto the motherboard.

[tfflivemb2]

With the laptop upside down, the black wire is facing the back, and the red to the front. I believe when I tried replacing one before, i had a thin flat tip screw driver that I placed BETWEEN the two wires, to steer it into place. I just removed the main battery on one of mine, but honestly, I didn't want to remove the CMOS to test it so that I don't have to reset things.

[Summer Deep]

Well, after another exasperating half an hour or so of trying, and a good deal of cursing, I've finally got this thing plugged in and working!

Many thanks to tfflivemb2 for confirming the arrangement of the wires, and to kfzhu1229 for providing reassurance that this could be made to work by persevering with using the mounting tray.

Seriously though, it's a very tricky operation indeed to get the wires and connector properly mounted on that structure, and you really need sharper eyesight and steadier hands than I have. Maybe I should lay off the Chenin Blanc....

[RealBlackStuff]

Maybe I should lay off the Chenin Blanc....

Try these (IMHO much, MUCH better) white wines instead: Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer (all from the Alsace).
I've lived for 25 years next door to the Alsace, and it's absolutely amazing what this area can produce!
(not to forget the great wine festivals they have every year in Eguisheim, Gueberschwir, Turckheim, etc.).
But don't go for the cheap ones that you can buy from the likes of Tesco or Asda!
Maybe take a trip over and stock up on French wine/booze before Brexit jacks up the prices?

[acz]

I just have to second the motion regarding wine from Alsace, I daresay I have liked every one that I have tried!