A user reports that their workstation is experiencing sudden reboots and the system clock frequently resets to an incorrect time. Swapping out which of the following components is the FIRST and most relevant step in the troubleshooting process?
Ensure the GPU is properly seated and that it is receiving adequate power.
Apply fresh thermal paste and reseat the CPU cooler.
Check and correct the RAM type and configuration settings in the BIOS/UEFI.
Reinstall the operating system to fix any corrupt files.
Replace the power supply unit (PSU) with one of higher wattage.
The symptoms described suggest an issue that may relate to the computer maintaining its settings and proper functionality. A system's clock is powered by a small battery on the motherboard—the CMOS battery. If this battery fails, it can lead to the loss of BIOS/UEFI settings, including the system clock, and can cause boot issues and unexpected reboots. While corrupt operating system files could potentially cause reboots, they would not affect the system clock. Similarly, CPU overheating could result in reboots, but not in clock resets, which is a sign of a CMOS battery issue. Insufficient PSU wattage would lead to power failures or reboots during high energy demand, but does not explain the clock resets. Incorrect RAM type or improperly seated GPU would generally cause continuous instability or failure to boot, rather than intermittent reboots and system clock resets.
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What is a CMOS battery and why does it matter?
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