Technical Reference Guide
Compaq Deskpro Personal Computers
 
Third Edition - April 2001
4-23
4.6 REAL-TIME CLOCK AND CONFIGURATION MEMORY
The Real-time clock (RTC) and configuration memory (also referred to as “CMOS”) functions are
provided by the 82801 ICH2 component and is MC146818-compatible. As shown in the following
figure, the 82801 ICH2 component provides 256 bytes of battery-backed RAM divided into two
128-byte configuration memory areas. The RTC uses the first 14 bytes (00-0Dh) of the standard
memory area. All locations of the standard memory area (00-7Fh) can be directly accessed using
conventional OUT and IN assembly language instructions through I/O ports 70h/71h, although the
suggested method is to use the INT15 AX=E823h BIOS call.
Figure 4-10. Configuration Memory Map
A lithium 3-VDC battery is used for maintaining the RTC and configuration memory while the
system is powered down. During system operation a wire-Ored circuit allows the RTC and
configuration memory to draw power from the power supply. The battery is located in a battery
holder on the system board and has a life expectancy of four to eight years. When the battery has
expired it is replaced with a Renata CR2032 or equivalent 3-VDC lithium battery.
4.6.1 CLEARING CMOS
The contents of configuration memory (including the Power-On Password) can be cleared by the
following procedure:
1. Turn off the unit.
2. Disconnect the AC power cord from the outlet and/or system unit.
3. Remove the chassis hood (cover) and insure that no LEDs on the system board are
illuminated.
4. Press and release the CMOS clear button on the system board.
5. Replace the chassis hood (cover).
6. Reconnect the AC power cord to the outlet and/or system unit.
7. Turn the unit on.
To clear only the Power-On Password refer to section 4.7.1.1.
RTC Area 
(14 bytes) 
Standard Config. 
Memory Area 
(114 bytes) 
Extended Config. 
Memory Area 
(128 bytes) 
00h
0Dh 
0Eh 
80h 
FFh 
7Fh 
Seconds (Timer) 
Minutes (Timer)
Seconds (Alarm)
Hours (Alarm) 
Hours (Timer) 
Minutes (Alarm) 
Day of Week
Date of Month
Month 
Year 
Register A 
Register B 
Register C 
Register D 
00h 
0Bh 
01h 
02h 
03h 
04h 
05h 
06h 
07h 
08h 
09h 
0Ah 
0Dh 
0Ch 
82801