Re: grub menu oddity


Richard wrote:
> iforone wrote:
>
> >
> > Richard wrote:
> >>
> >> In the process of sorting this out I did the following experiments:
> >>
> >> a.) I tried selecting several menu items - sometimes different items,
> >> sometimes repeating the same item. All selections failed at the menu root
> >> command (until the manual root command was executed). This means a root
> >> command was executed multiple times via the menu, and failed every time.
> >>
> >
> >> When I first encountered this behavior, it took several reboots for me to
> >> discover the BIOS had changed the drive ordering (and thus the grub drive
> >> numbers were reversed). After I corrected the drive numbering problem, I
> >> rebooted from the grub prompt several times (with no configuration
> >> changes) but the grub menu continued to fail. When I finally discovered I
> >> needed to execute the root command manually, the menu failure (before a
> >> manual root command) seemed to persist for several more reboots (the
> >> reboots had no reseting of the BIOS configuration data), and then went
> >> away spontaneously. However, now it just happens on the first boot after
> >> the configuration data has been changed, and returns to normal behavior
> >> thereafter.
> >
> > this behavior is definitely indicative of a spent CMOS battery - the
> > coin shaped lithium-ion battery is responsible for holding the
> > "settings" that are stored in the south bridge (where the CMOS/RTC
> > NVRAM resides) The actual BIOS ROM chip (the part that can be
> > flashed/iFlash) is usually ~256K on the 440BX Mobos and ONLY stores the
> > default BIOS code and Menu items responsible for screen viewing and
> > editing...but NOT for storing the saved setting changes. the CMOS
> > battery is responsible for that.
> >
> > The system's PSU is responsible for a 'trickle' charge to keep the CMOS
> > battery lasting as long as it does (specifically the 5VSB leg [5 volt
> > standby]). They usually last form 3-5yrs depending..and i'd imagine
> > that if one uses a Power strip and entirely cuts the power during
> > system shutdown, by also turning OFF the power strip switch, so no
> > volts can pass through for 'trickle' - then i'd assume the battery will
> > fail much faster.
> >
> > BTW - do you notice the system not keeping Time (Date/Time) between
> > reboots ?
> >
>
> No, seems to keep time okay. This machine is always plugged in, even when
> powered off.

FWIW - a new CMOS battery is only $3-5 at your local Shaque du Radio
(RadioShack)

.

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