On Wednesday, March 16, 2011 00:01:44 ew wrote:
> Intel MacBooks don't technically have a BIOS, but to reset the System
> Management Controller (SMC), is a similar procedure.  Holding down the
> power button for 5sec, with no main battery, or charger present.
> 
> I found a cool tool/app called Kill CMOS which clears all the volatile
> CMOS info.  Some laptops have a soldered on CMOS battery, making
> clearing difficult if no jumper is listed.

Yes that makes sense.  There's also likely some similar utilities for Compaq 
machines which store the BIOS on the hard disk rather than on an embedded chip 
on the motherboard.  [I never did like that design decision, personally.]

> I have had some odd behavior in the past, from BIOS's.  After having a
> laptop apart for over a week, )waiting on parts) a mysterious BIOS
> password appeared after reassembly.  I also had a Toshiba laptop with a
> reported bug.  After plugging an iPod the system would freeze.  A hard
> power off would result in no boot, requiring the CMOS to be cleared.
> Toshiba had an updated BIOS to fix the issue. I can't imagine working
> on computers without Google "in my pocket".

Hmm.  Out of curiosity, why have you found it necessary to have internet "in 
your pocket?" when working on computers?  I can understand needing /internet/ 
-- sure.  Information, disassembly instructions, drivers, Live CD downloads, 
etc.  But usually when I work on a computer, there's another computer nearby 
that has internet.  I can understand /wanting/ it in your pocket for the 
convenience, but I'm having a difficulty understanding /needing/ it.

This probably has something to do with me not being a "smart phone" user, and 
frankly not missing it at all.  Am I missing something?

  -- Chris

--

Chris Knadle
[email protected]
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