CMOS battery

[openchut82]

Asus P4P800 Deluxe

When starting, I get the options to hit F1 to enter setup or F2 to load defaults.
When going to setup, the date is 2002 and the time is 00.00.00.

Could this be a dead motherboard battery that needs replaced?

 

[Balok]

In a word; yes.

A fresh battery reads 3.3v. Once the battery drops to about 3v, the BIOS will default each time mains power is restored to the PC and its turned on. Symtoms of this are just as you describe.

The battery (usually a CR2032) only cost £2 so go for it. Use plastic tweezers as sweat from your fingers will shorten its life.