Re: F*cking Intel

On 23/04/2025 05:15, Don Y wrote:

Sheesh!  I rescued 5 NUCs.  Four had bad batteries.
As they are annoyingly compact, I figured I'd look for
a teardown before I dug into them.
 Sure 'nuff, you ave to take the entire device apart
to access the battery.  Which is then TAPED to the
underside of the cooler.
 OK, fine.  It's not in a battery holder (to save space)
but, rather, on pigtails with a 2 pin connector.
 "Intel does not provide battery replacements."
 Understandable.  You've got bigger issues to screw up!
 "CR2032 batteries with a wire and Molex connector may
not be locally available.  To find a replacement, search
the Internet for CR2032 with wire or CR2032 with Molex
connector and purchase through an online retailer."
 Wow!  How low they have fallen.
 Of course, this sort of search criteria doesn't guarantee
anything other than "CR2032" and "connector".  But, hey,
it's worth a try!
 Batteries arrived (Amazon).  Connectors are pinned exactly
backwards!  Must be one of those AC/DC batteries that
automatically adjusts polarity based on need...  yeah, right.
 How many folks will gleefully plug in the connector (it is
keyed to mate only one way) and fail to observe the reversed
red/black leads?
 (sigh)  "Not my problem!"

It is called built in obsolescence and user applies the coup de grace!
(unless they are particularly observant and spot the polarity)
Reassemble and it doesn't work at all. Buy new computer - Intel wins!
Opposite polarity vastly overpriced batteries are a mainstay of certain products. My oil tank gauge is a prime example. £40 for what is when you take it apart nothing other than 3x AA Duracells inside a copper pipe!
Autoconfig settings on boot up and an internet connection means that you can set the time and date other ways today. The failed battery can usually be ignored if you have an internet connection. You do need to sync PDQ almost nothing else works if you claim to being in 1/1/1970.
--
Martin Brown