i have a nice high end X5 that i adore...the other day, it came off the cradle with a main battery low message that didn't go away until after a hard reset...then immediately following i got a low backup battery message even though the cell is new...removing and replacing the cell a couple of time fixed that...i'm wondering if i'm looking at old, dirty contacts, or a firmware glitch, or what?...ideas?

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On the X5 the backup battery sits in that little pocket and needs to make contact with a small finger at the bottom and side of the pocket. The bottom contact can become weak over time, and the pocket has just enough slack in it to allow the battery to come away from that contact. Try one or both of these:

1. Very, very gently bend up the bottom contact very, very slightly to make better contact. (note all the references to very, the contact is fragile).

2. Put the battery in the pocket then put a small piece of cardboard (about the thickness of a business card) on top before you put the cover on. That will push the battery down just enough.

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I just got an X5 for Christmas with the same problem. Your idea seemed to help for now, Jake... but the meter says my backup is only 40% charged. I put a brand spankin' new 2032 battery in it, so should be 100%. I haven't put the cardboard in, but am thinking maybe the side contact should be bent a bit in to make better contact? Also, reading the manual it suggested wiping the battery with a cloth before putting the backup in. This makes some sense to give it better contact with no dirt or grease from your fingers in the way...

Thanks for the head's up, Jake...