How long does a CMOS battery last?

I’m not an expert, but I stayed at a Holiday . . . I’ve replaced a CMOS battery after five years. My option is something else is going on overclocking, beepin, video card. Time to take it to the computer doctor.

Probably not a dead cmos battery. It’s likely a ram issue. Three long beeps can mean that but not always. If you can tell us who made your motherboard bios we can tell you what the three beeps are indicating.

I think it’s Phoenix but i’m not sure. I’m worried that if i shut it down, it might not start again.

I had thought it was ram at first too… But the behaviour is too inconsistent. If memory was faulty, then it’d either never boot or would boot but cause operating system issues, wouldn’t it? The computer is currently running just fine… and will continue to work properly until i shut it off… and then it’ll go though the same drama.

Ram can cause all kinds of crazy random things to happen.
here is a list of beep codes. Phoenix does not appear to have any three single beep codes.

Without knowing for sure what bios you have we cannot help you. One other thing you can do is give us the manufacturer and model number of your motherboard.

According to that site:
3 long beeps for standard IBM = 3270 keyboard card, whatever that means.
3 beeps for AMI = memory problem of some kind.

I just rebooted to the bios and the copyright on it is American Megatrends but there is no other other branding on the bios.

I’m currently running Memtest86+.

3. 3 Beeps
Three beeps means there has been a base memory read/write test error. Replacing the RAM usually solves this AMI beep code.

Before you replace the RAM try just re-seating it.
Oxidation can cause poor connections between the RAM and the socket.

Remember to ground your hands (touch the case) before touching any parts inside the machine.
One by one, remove then re-install each of your RAM modules.
This is very easy to try, and if it works it works, problem solved.

@dabbler – I’ve done that. Works great!