Hi Greg,

On 16-Mar-04, Greg Mayman wrote to Roy J. Tellason:

 GM> Now here's a puzzler that you or one of our other correspondents
 GM> may be able to help with

 GM> I have been given an EPSON 386 computer, model EL3/33. The problem
 GM> with it is that the CMOS battery has died. But I can't find
 GM> anything that looks like a battery anywhere on board

Not unusual ai that vintage. I have a '386 that uses an exxternal
lithium battery.

 GM> I even opened the p/s to check for a battery inside, but no go
 GM> there too.

 GM> But there is a realtime clock module - "DALLAS DS1287 REAL TIME
 GM> 9026B3".

I have a Dallas DS12887 Real Time Clock listed in my RS catalogue. It
has an internal lithium cell, and some SRAM in a 24 pin package. So it
looks to be the right place. As to ability to use external power
source, you'll need to find data for your part (Dallas site?).

 GM> Does anyone recognize this part? Is it one of those clock modules
 GM> with the internal battery? If so is there anyway to bypass the
 GM> battery or hook in an external one

There _may_ be a header to connect an external battery on the MB. If
there is it will be 4 pins long (but may only have the outside two
pins).

 GM> I'd hate to scrap the computer, as it would be dandy as a second
 GM> (or third) unit for multitasking while my main one is busy

 GM> But as the m'board is VERY nonstandard, as are all the other
 GM> boards and the p/s, if it can't be repaired I'll grab the FDD and
 GM> HDD and scrap the rest

Not unusual for Epson stuff.

 GM> Written in haste, online, after being locked out of the BBS for
 GM> several days.

Good to have you back.

George

--- Terminate 5.00/Pro