I'm glad I saw this thread. I had no idea about this. Why in this day in age do pins still use batteries? Am I missing something?
(Topic ID: 178926)
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Wizard of Oz
Jersey Jack, 2013
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Quoted from Crash:Battery backed memory is required to keep track of time and other erasable BIOS settings in a computer system. Without it it would probably be unfeasibly difficult to reset the BIOS settings on a motherboard should an issue arise with boot settings or other down to the metal adjustments. Should the CMOS which contains the settings become corrupted, all you need to do is unplug the game and remove the battery, then do the opposite.
The same can be said for older generation board sets where the CPU relied on AA batteries to maintain the contents of system RAM. Back then if you play a game and you notice an issue with a setting in the service menu or a high score had gotten out of whack, you would probably have to pull the RAM chip and either blank it or swap it with a blank one. This would create the need to include socketed memory, which would cause more potential points of failure since you are dealing with plug-in connections on the board as opposed to directly soldered ones.
Now we have NVRAM which is more reliable and cheaper these days, but you it still means the CPU loses track of time so special features like the Twilight Zone clock and midnight madness will not work.
Unfortunately, I just don't understand. I'm not an expert in this. I don't think my laptop or desktop computers have a battery (well, the laptop has a rechargeable one). How does the desktop function if I've never changed the battery? As for keeping track of special features, pins should just have internet connectivity now like everything else so they can get the current time. Though, I suppose companies would start charging us more for that.
I stand corrected. I just have had my current desktop computer for a long time now, and I've never worried about changing the battery or heard that I would have to.
1 year later
I posted this in the WOZ club thread but figured I would post it here as well:
I finally decided to change my battery today and followed the instructions in the manual. As usual, I typically find things about 10x harder than the average pinsider. I put a strip of masking tape on the battery to lift it out but couldn't figure out how to pry the battery from its holder. As I was trying, I failed to notice the fast whirling fan blade to my left and sliced my finger. 
Luckily, it was a clean slice, and I only bled a little over my boards. 
Anyway, I finally did it. Here are some tips:
If you have the playfield lifted all the way up, you will be at an awkward angle. Instead, have the playfield pulled out to the second position on the service rails.
There is a little metal tab on the bottom of the battery holder (side closest to the player). Gently, pull that back, and the battery will lift up with the tape without you needing to pry it up (read the manual for what to do with the tape).
Mind the fan blade! It stings.
6 months later
Quoted from IceFang:Thank you SO much for this info! I was having similar difficulty removing the battery from my Hobbit since there was simply NO way the tape adhesive alone was strong enough to pull the battery out from the holder. Your tip about pulling back the small metal tab was a life-saver and made the removal extremely simple! IMHO, JJP should really consider adding this very important step to their battery removal instructions. (I was about to take more drastic steps which could very well have ended up damaging something, but thankfully I remained patient, and a quick internet search led me to this thread and your solution).
Nice! I’m glad it helped. And if you didn’t cut your finger on the fan blade, you’re a step ahead of me.
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