If you're working on a specific model, I can tell you if its PRAM battery is or in a holder . Do you know the model of your Macintosh? Are you trying to replace a dead one?
A leaking battery can leak hazardous electrolyte onto the motherboard, potentially destroying the computer. MACINTOSH PRAM BATTERY
Getting Started With Your Vintage Macintosh – Garrett Fuller If you're working on a specific model, I
If your vintage Mac is suddenly living in 1956 (or 1904, 1984, etc.) every time you turn it on, the PRAM battery is likely dead. 2. The Danger Component (Soldered vs. Holder) A leaking battery can leak hazardous electrolyte onto
Thankfully, for many vintage Mac models, a working PRAM battery is not strictly required for the computer to start. The machine will boot, but it will lose settings—a small price to pay for keeping a piece of computing history alive.
Without a working PRAM battery, a vintage Macintosh (like the Plus, SE, or early Power Macs) "forgets" its settings every time it is unplugged. This means losing time, date, and sometimes custom SCSI settings, which can hinder the boot process.
Later Power Macintosh models often require a working PRAM battery to function properly.