Do I need to replace CMOS battery on 21.5" iMac?

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Level 1

12 points

Do I need to replace CMOS battery on 21.5" iMac?

I have recently tried to install OSX but I get the message that it is damaged. I Googled this and it turns out I need to adjust my system time

I thought this might be because of malware or seeing as it was Jan 1 2020 I thought it might be like the millennium bug

However I now find out there is a small battery somewhere inside that might need replacing. I bought this iMac in 2012. So is it likely that I need to replace this battery?

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.13

Posted on Jan 2, 2020 12:16 AM

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Answer 1

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,502 points

Jan 2, 2020 2:53 AM in response to Doug5t

The battery is on the back side of the logic board and requires complete disassembly of the iMac.

Try resetting the SMC How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

and NVRAM Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Doug5t Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 2, 2020 7:27 PM in response to den.thed

I got around it by resetting the date in Terminal but weird thing is I had to make it 2019 for it to work. Nevertheless now the install is done, the clock and date are correct. I don't know how important the CMOS battery is but I might have to replace it one day

In Terminal I typed "date 010103002019" which is Month-Day-Time-year

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