MSI Motherboard CMOS Battery Obsolescence: Difference between revisions
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{{Cleanup}} | {{Cleanup}} | ||
{{IncidentCargo|Company=MSI|Status=Ongoing|Product=Motherboards|ArticleType=Incident|StartDate=2022}} | {{IncidentCargo|Company=MSI|Status=Ongoing|Product=Motherboards|ArticleType=Incident|StartDate=2022}} | ||
Recent [[MSI]] motherboards have moved on from easily accessible clip-mount holders for their CMOS batteries. Instead hiding the battery behind the {{Wplink|voltage regulator module}} (VRM) heatsink assembly, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=benjy124302a4 |date=2022-04-15 |title=MSI Pro B660M-A CMOS battery location? |url=https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web. | Recent [[MSI]] motherboards have moved on from easily accessible clip-mount holders for their CMOS batteries. Instead hiding the battery behind the {{Wplink|voltage regulator module}} (VRM) heatsink assembly, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=benjy124302a4 |date=2022-04-15 |title=MSI Pro B660M-A CMOS battery location? |url=https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302095843/https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global English Forum}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-29 |title=Where is the location of CMOS battery on this motherboard? |url=https://www.msi.com/faq/9918 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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MSI Mainboard CMOS CR2032 batteries are no longer contained within a standard easily accessible clip-mount holder. Instead the CMOS battery is hidden beneath the VRM heatsink assembly, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Some of the lower-end tier models of MSI motherboard still have a clip-mount, but it is blocked by heatsinks (that are not part of the VRM assembly). All current models (2025-2026) of motherboard have a line of text in the user manual that states the following: | MSI Mainboard CMOS CR2032 batteries are no longer contained within a standard easily accessible clip-mount holder. Instead the CMOS battery is hidden beneath the VRM heatsink assembly, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Some of the lower-end tier models of MSI motherboard still have a clip-mount, but it is blocked by heatsinks (that are not part of the VRM assembly). All current models (2025-2026) of motherboard have a line of text in the user manual that states the following: | ||
<code>● This product contains an irreplaceable battery.</code><ref>{{Cite web |title=MEGZ890GODLIKE_English.pdf |url=https://download-2.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/mb/MEGZ890GODLIKE_English.pdf#page=104 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web. | <code>● This product contains an irreplaceable battery.</code><ref>{{Cite web |title=MEGZ890GODLIKE_English.pdf |url=https://download-2.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/mb/MEGZ890GODLIKE_English.pdf#page=104 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302100807/https://download-2.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/mb/MEGZ890GODLIKE_English.pdf#page=104 |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global}}</ref> | ||
This is False. The battery is a standard CR2032 battery. It is not rechargeable, or unique, and is replaceable, with some extended effort. | This is False. The battery is a standard CR2032 battery. It is not rechargeable, or unique, and is replaceable, with some extended effort. | ||
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While the battery remains a standard CR2032 coin battery, and the mounting mechanism is not completely inaccessible, due to this misleading language in the manual and obfuscated location of the battery, it is a blatant attempt to make the mainboard obsolete when the battery dies. Replacement requires service from an experienced technician, leading to more device turnover. For 40 years of mainboard design, replacing a CMOS battery has required locating the battery on the face of the mainboard, pressing a clearly marked tab and removing the old battery out of the standardized component clip slot, and putting a replacement one in its place. There is no reason to have changed this. | While the battery remains a standard CR2032 coin battery, and the mounting mechanism is not completely inaccessible, due to this misleading language in the manual and obfuscated location of the battery, it is a blatant attempt to make the mainboard obsolete when the battery dies. Replacement requires service from an experienced technician, leading to more device turnover. For 40 years of mainboard design, replacing a CMOS battery has required locating the battery on the face of the mainboard, pressing a clearly marked tab and removing the old battery out of the standardized component clip slot, and putting a replacement one in its place. There is no reason to have changed this. | ||
The operating temperature of a CR coin cell is typically -30°C to 85°C, it's recommended to consult the manufacturer should the temperature exceeds 70°C<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=CR2032 CR Coin-type Lithium Battery |url=https://energy.panasonic.com/dam/master/pdf/en/datasheet/lithium/CR2032_Datasheet_EN_240701.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web. | The operating temperature of a CR coin cell is typically -30°C to 85°C, it's recommended to consult the manufacturer should the temperature exceeds 70°C<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=CR2032 CR Coin-type Lithium Battery |url=https://energy.panasonic.com/dam/master/pdf/en/datasheet/lithium/CR2032_Datasheet_EN_240701.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302101209/https://energy.panasonic.com/dam/master/pdf/en/datasheet/lithium/CR2032_Datasheet_EN_240701.pdf |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=Panasonic Energy}}</ref>. VRMs typically run at higher temperatures typically around 80°C to 90°C, with safe operating temperature exceeding 100°C<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/jayyywhattt |date=2022-01-07 |title=Motherboard, vrm temperatures |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/overclocking/comments/ry9cdc/motherboard_vrm_temperatures/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302101503/https://old.reddit.com/r/overclocking/comments/ry9cdc/motherboard_vrm_temperatures/ |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>. Mounting the CMOS battery at or very close to the VRM heatsink can reduce the battery life. | ||
===MSI's response=== | ===MSI's response=== | ||