Computer clock

[SuRichardson]

My PC is two years old and every so often the time and clock seem to revert to December 2003. It has happened three times recently. Each time I go in and reset the clock and reboot the computer and everything works fine. Why does it keep doing this?

[squarebear]

Does it happen after you switch it off for any length of time? Mine does that and it's the battery inside the PC that has died. I just reset the clock as my PC too is very old.

[SuRichardson]

Yes it happens when we switch on sometimes. We always turn everything off after we have finished using it. It loses about 4 years! It doesn't happen every time, but when it does it can cause problems with other programs - we have to reset the clock before they will work properly!

[dwalkiden]

This is due to a dead motherboard battery that costs just a few pounds to replace. However it needs to be done while the PC is actually on to avoid losing your CMOS settings. If you don't know what i am talking about, then you need to call a technician. It's a very easy task however.

The battery is available at many places where they sell camera batteries, is the size of the old 50p piece. Your old one will tell you what model you need. It canremoved from the main board by simply placing a screwdriver to one side and twisting.

-Dave
www.daveshelpline.com

[SuRichardson]

Thanks guys for such prompt and helpful responses - I will put this on my to do list.

[ACtheTROLL]

dwalkiden is only partially right ... it probably IS the battery .....
but
NEVER EVER EVER work on a motherboard which is powered on.
if the battery is flat .... taking it out isn't going to make any difference is it?
removing components with the power on however is likely to result in a dead PC (permanently)

Unfortunately to complicate things .... on older mobos not all batteries are removable

Generally if the machine is used daily ... it will survive the downtime ......

[SuRichardson]

I don't think I would want to run the risk of working on the computer innards with the power on. So I would chance doing it powerless - we do use the computer every day - and as I said before it is only 2 years old which isn't that old! My previous computer was about 5 years old and the battery never went in that time.

[dwalkiden]

If you change the battery when your PC is off you will need to reset the BIOS. You will not do any damage to yourself or the motherboard by removing the battery while on, that's how every workshop I have ever used does it. there is no need to scare people about this.

When you fit a battery from new, there is no way to predict how long it will last ,so it may be 2 years or 8 years, so each PC may have different lengths of battery life.

-Dave
www.daveshelpline.com

[ACtheTROLL]

DW
please explain if the battery is dead .... why does the board need power when changing the battery?
the whole point of the exercise is that the battery isn't maintaining the CMOS - and it's fallen to default - that's why it needs changing!!!!

if su changes the battery with the power on - she'll simply increase the risk of damaging the board.

following real life workshop proceedure .... in addition to powering down the PC the mains lead should be disconnected!!!! (we won't begin on the esp precautions ... )

dave .... a website isn't a credential
just because it says :
You get all that and more from Dave's HelpLine. The computer help you need, is just an email away! See the What it Costs page for membership rates.

you get that here for free .... you generally also get more than one reply ......
and given this free example of your advice ....
you also get a chance of being stopped from following bad advice.....
finally you get to hang on to �68!!!!!!!!!!!!

[solera]

I've just changed the Battery in my PC,disconnected the supply removed the old one and put in the new one powered it up and changed the date and time, great works a treat . Anybody who works on a live mobo deserves all they get, fried chips!!!!!

[ACtheTROLL]

solera
yes - you'd think someone who is obviously trying to spam up revenue would at least give decent advice.