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Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery

Introduction

Is the CMOS battery in your HP IQ506 dead (or need to quickly diagnose a motherboard or BIOS setting problem) this guide will show you how to quickly replace the battery without completely disassembling the system.

Note: While this method eliminates the need to disassemble the system, this procedure is slightly more difficult. If you are unsure this will work for you, disassemble the system to avoid dropping the battery behind the EMI shield. THIS METHOD IS AT LEAST GOING TO HAVE INTERMEDIATE DIFFICULTY.

Caution: ESD-safe tweezers are highly recommended for this procedure. If you do not use these and touch a component of the motherboard it may cause significant damage.

If you drop the CMOS battery, follow this guide to remove it from the system: IQ500 Series full disassembly. Read this before attempting this battery replacement method so you can decide which method you want to use.

What you need

  1. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Change note: step 1, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Change note: step 1, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Essential Electronics Toolkit
    $29.95
    Buy

    • Due to the EET missing several components present in the Pro Tech Go and only being $20 cheaper, the EET has been removed. The EET will work for this guide as-is, but if you are shopping for a new toolkit to complete this guide, the Pro Tech Go (new or refurbished, refurbished is ~$32 cheaper), or Pro Tech ($79 new/~$59.95 refurb) is the current recommended toolkit for this guide.

    • If you are interested in a refurbished kit stock levels change frequently but can be found here.

    Edit

  2. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Unplug the power cord: step 2, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Unplug the power cord: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Shut the computer down and unplug the power adapter.

    Edit

  3. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Lock the stand: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Lock the system stand before starting. Hold the stand up, while pushing the locking tab towards the side that locked side.

    Edit

  4. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the RAM door screw: step 4, image 1 of 3 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the RAM door screw: step 4, image 2 of 3 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the RAM door screw: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the screw on the RAM door. Once you remove the screw, unclip the door.

    Edit

  5. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the RAM: step 5, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the RAM: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Unclip the RAM from the RAM slots in the machine. If possible, put the RAM in a ESD safe area.

    Edit

  7. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Legacy iFixit driver ONLY - how to access the screws on the top: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • THIS STEP ONLY APPLIES FOR LEGACY iFixit 54-BIT DRIVER KIT USERS.

    • When usjng the legacy driver handle, the top hinge screws can be difficult to get to. If you have the legacy 54-bit iFixit driver kit, lock the stand upright and slide it under the stand from the rear to access the top screws. This should be less of an issue with a standalone driver or modern driver kits like the 64-bit/Manta kit.

    Edit

  8. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the stand: step 7, image 1 of 3 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the stand: step 7, image 2 of 3 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Remove the stand: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Some people may find it easier to remove the top screws from the stand first. These screws can be difficult to remove.

    • Remove the stand from the system. Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to loosen the 4 screws.

    Edit

  9. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Removing the battery: Part 1: step 8, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Removing the battery: Part 1: step 8, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • This is when the method used in this guide starts to get advanced. DO NOT CONTINUE unless you know how to disassemble the system should the battery fall in the system! IMPORTANT: Make sure you use blunt-ended tweezers.

    • Unclip the top of the battery using your fingernails. You do not need to use tweezers yet.

    Edit

  10. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Removing the battery: Part 2: step 9, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Removing the battery: Part 2: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • With the battery unclipped, use the tweezers to grab the battery. Pull the battery out while keeping a firm grip to avoid dropping it.

    Edit

  11. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Optional: Identify when the battery was replaced: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Example: If you replaced the battery in May of 2016, you would write 5/16 on the battery. If you wanted to use the full D/M/Y, this should go on the chassis with the abridged date on the battery using a label maker.

    • Put a note on the RAM door out of sight or write when the battery was replaced on the new battery.

    Edit

  12. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Replacing the battery: Part 1: step 11, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Replacing the battery: Part 1: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Make sure you do not drop the battery in the machine!

    • Open the new battery, and grab it with the tweezers. Do not grab too much so it will drop, but get enough you can keep a good grip on it.

    Edit

  13. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Replacing the battery: Part 2: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • With the battery in the tweezers, slowly slide the battery in the clip. Once you have it in, put one finger on the battery while removing the tweezers.

    Edit

  14. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Replacing the battery: Part 3: step 13, image 1 of 2 Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Replacing the battery: Part 3: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • With the battery in the clip, push down on the battery to lock it in the system.

    Edit

  15. Shortcut method - HP Touchsmart IQ506 CMOS Battery, Legacy iFixit driver ONLY - how to access the screws on the top: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • (Legacy iFixit driver only): The top hinge screws can be difficult to get to. If you have the classic iFixit screwdriver handle, lock the stand upright and slide it under the stand from the rear to access the top screws. This should not be needed with the 64-bit Manta driver or EET handle. Remove the bottom screws as normal.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, replace the stand, RAM and RAM door. You will also have to reconfigure the BIOS. The machine will resort to checksum defaults since the battery was removed.

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1 Guide Comment

I’d put a piece of sticky tape on the top of the battery to keep it under control.

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