Dead GBC Battery?

[Porksta]

I sold Pokemon Gold a while back, and the guy I mailed it to said the battery doesn't work. Before I mailed it out I played for a few minutes then saved it. I then turned the GB on and loaded the game. Deeming it working I mailed it off. Now I am told that after leaving the GB off for a while after saving the file is deleted. Is this a dead battery or a cart error?

[izarate]

The battery is barely alive. Pokemon Gold uses a RTC so that drains the battery faster.

[jb143]

I know my Mario Land 2 will save games for a few minutes but powered off any longer than that and the saves will vanish.

[BetaWolf47]

Yeah, for future reference, you should test to make sure the save lasts longer than 30 minutes with the system turned off. I had a Pokemon Gold like that too once.

[Aussie2B]

Yeah, a battery will retain a charge for a short while from when the system was on, but it'll dissipate within an hour or so tops.

[alec006]

The battery is also very easy to replace,and can be replaced with a longer lasting CR-2032.

http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?p=7536459

All my Gold,Silver and Crystal games now have fresh CR-2032's in them with pieces of electrical tape holding the connector points, you don't have to solder them back at all,cause well, the battery will last only oh,5 to 7 years if your lucky and the next time you want to change the battery,it will be much easier.