TL;DR
An older Terminator Salvation arcade cabinet in a New York arcade failed to boot and showed a Phoenix BIOS battery error, suggesting the CMOS/real-time clock cell is exhausted. The sighting, reported by The Register's US editor, is a reminder that aging physical components still interrupt machines — a contrast to contemporary discussions around AI and data‑center power demands.
What happened
In a New York arcade, a Terminator Salvation coin‑op cabinet refused to proceed past its BIOS, presenting a Phoenix BIOS message that points to a failing motherboard battery. The machine appears to rely on standard PC‑style firmware and a button cell that keeps BIOS settings and clock alive; when that cell weakens or dies the system can refuse to boot. The game uses light guns for play, so keyboard shortcuts such as F1 or F2 — which some BIOS prompts suggest to continue booting — are not the usual user route. The Register's US editor noticed the malfunction and flagged what is likely a depleted CR2032 or similar coin cell. The article frames the scene as a throwback to older arcade hardware vulnerabilities, while noting that modern large‑scale AI systems face power and infrastructure challenges of a very different scale.
Why it matters
- Simple, inexpensive components like a motherboard battery can render older hardware unusable until serviced.
- Legacy arcade systems often combine bespoke arcade design with commodity PC parts, making them vulnerable to common PC failure modes.
- The incident highlights a contrast between small‑scale hardware maintenance and the far larger power needs of contemporary AI deployments.
- For venues that rely on coin‑op revenue, a single failing component can interrupt income and customer experience.
Key facts
- The machine was a Terminator Salvation arcade cabinet observed in a New York arcade.
- The cabinet displayed a Phoenix BIOS message indicating a battery or CMOS/RTC issue.
- The error suggests the motherboard battery that preserves BIOS settings is failing or dead.
- The game debuted in 2009, placing it in the era before some modern AI developments referenced in the source.
- The cabinet uses light guns as its primary control method, limiting keyboard access for BIOS prompts.
- The source mentions a CR2032‑type button cell as the likely component involved.
- The Register's US editor reported spotting the malfunction.
- The piece contrasts this small hardware fault with the larger energy demands of current AI systems.
What to watch next
- Whether the arcade operator replaces the button battery and restores the machine — not confirmed in the source
- If similar BIOS battery failures are affecting other legacy arcade machines in public venues — not confirmed in the source
- Any follow‑up reporting on how venues maintain older coin‑op hardware over time — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- BIOS: Basic Input/Output System: firmware that initializes hardware during the boot process and provides runtime services for operating systems.
- CMOS/RTC battery: A small coin‑cell battery on a motherboard that powers the real‑time clock and preserves BIOS settings when the system is off.
- CR2032: A common 3‑volt lithium coin cell often used on motherboards and small electronics to retain settings and time.
- Light gun: An arcade controller shaped like a firearm that detects where a player is aiming on the screen, used in many shooting games.
Reader FAQ
Can a dead motherboard battery prevent an arcade cabinet from booting?
The source indicates a BIOS battery error can stop a system from continuing the boot process.
Would replacing the battery likely fix the cabinet on sight?
not confirmed in the source
Is this incident proof that machines are vulnerable to simple hardware faults?
The source uses the incident to illustrate how basic components can disrupt machines, but broader conclusions about all machines are not established in the source.
Was the cabinet maker or manufacturer identified?
The source references 'Raw Thrills' in context but does not provide a definitive manufacturer statement.
OFFBEAT Recline of the machines: Terminator felled by dodgy battery The rise will be postponed until you hit F1 to continue Richard Speed Wed 7 Jan 2026 // 11:00 UTC BORK!BORK!BORK! The baddest of…
Sources
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