ooops, wrong circuit at the previous post... I am getting old and dumb, this one here doesn't need even the resistor to keep PIC +V polarized and hold /CE /OC and /W at up level while switched off. The Ram chip will be at 0.7V above ground when PIC is energized, I can't see any problems, do you? +5VCC--------o---------------o--------------. | | | | | + PIC RAM 3V | | Backup | | Battery Switch | | | / | diode 1 | diode 2 | Gnd---o/ o---o------|<-------o------>|------'