Editing Acorn Archimedes A3010 Maintenance Guide (section)

== ⚠️ The backup battery — do this first ==

The A3010 keeps its configuration and clock in battery-backed CMOS RAM, using a soldered rechargeable NiCd cell near the RTC.<ref name="trm">[[Acorn A3010, A3020 and A4000 Technical Reference Manual]], Acorn Computers Ltd — hosted on this wiki. PCF8583 RTC, battery, DRAM-size links (LK20/LK21/LK22), reset circuit and per-designator values.</ref> As on every Acorn machine of this era, the cell leaks and corrodes the surrounding tracks, and this is the most common cause of a dead A3010.<ref name="stardotdead">[https://stardot.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13260 "Dead A3010"], Stardot forums (battery-leak inspection, track continuity, ROM/RAM swap order).</ref> On any unrestored machine:

# '''Remove the battery immediately.'''
# Neutralise residue (white vinegar), then rinse with high-strength isopropyl alcohol.
# Inspect and buzz out every track around the battery and the RTC; repair any broken track.
# Fit a replacement using a coin-cell holder (for example a CR2032) '''with a series diode''' so the non-rechargeable cell cannot be back-charged.<ref name="retrorr">[https://retrorepairsandrefurbs.com/2024/09/27/1992-acorn-archimedes-3010-repair-restoration/ "1992 Acorn Archimedes A3010 repair/restoration"], Retro Repairs and Refurbs.</ref>

The '''PCF8583''' clock/calendar chip is the device most often killed by the leak; if it cannot be read the machine will not reach the desktop.<ref name="retrorr" />