computer clock loosing time

fortyaday

Coolcatfish wrote: »

This one should be easy,

pop the side off your case (you may need to unscrew the back, also don't do this if you have warranty on it).

Next take a look at the motherboard and you'll see a round silver disk like an only camera or watch battery.

This is the battery which needs replacing. You should be able to read what it is without removing it so you can get a replacement and swap them over.

Make sure you are touching an unpainted part of your case before touching anything else inside as this will ground you and protect against static. Also of course make sure the computer is unplugged.

Hi again,I do have a windows pc using xp home edition.Regarding the replacement I understand that certain data will be lost when changing the battery.would that be the case? Computer workings are still a mystery to me.

fwor

Yes, that may be the case. As well as the clock, the battery also usually maintains the configuration data for the BIOS - which is a simple operating system that boots the PC before Windows (or any other OS) starts up.

Usually the BIOS will load a default config when the battery is changed, so it will typically work without a problem.

DatabaseError

Leopard,
There is an assumption that most computer queries come from windows users, from my own point of view this is because
1. The vast majority of computer users use windows based PCs
2.The few users to have problems with macs or linux based machines are generally savvy enough to mention this in the opening post.

The advice given (though incorrect in parts) does not presuppose a windows operating system, or, indeed any operating system, as system time is viewable via the BIOS.

I do take exception to being called a bigot, especially from a complete stranger, you may be able to add value to this forum, but it does not entitle you to insult other contributors

John_Gray

fortyaday wrote: »

Anybody out there know why the clock on my 'puter looses time.Iread an article that said there's a battery on the motherboard that maintains the clock.

Unless I'm wrong, the CMOS battery maintains the PC clock only when the PC is powered off.

If you are experiencing these time variations during the period it's switched on, that's a different and non-CMOS battery problem!

GunJack

John_Gray wrote: »

Unless I'm wrong, the CMOS battery maintains the PC clock only when the PC is powered off.

If you are experiencing these time variations during the period it's switched on, that's a different and non-CMOS battery problem!

yeah, but surely look at the most likely and easiest fix first

fortyaday

fwor wrote: »

Yes, that may be the case. As well as the clock, the battery also usually maintains the configuration data for the BIOS - which is a simple operating system that boots the PC before Windows (or any other OS) starts up.

Usually the BIOS will load a default config when the battery is changed, so it will typically work without a problem.

Are you saying switch off computer/remove/replace battery with correct type/switch back on and all will be well as before?Sorry to sound so dim,but where inner workings are concerned I am.

Simon_M_2

The battery is not rechargeable, so what happens is this:

You power the PC up and Windows will connect to a server to determine the correct date and time, you can turn this off but it is on by default, so whilst browsing the web etc the time appears to be correct. When you turn the PC off the almost flat battery doesnt't provide enough power to the quartz crystal on the mobo and so your PC's CMOS will loose time and eventually date. Replace the battery and all will be good

DatabaseError

fortyaday, when you replace the battery you will lose some information, hopefully just date and time but potentially there are other BIOS setting which will matter (onboard gpu/ports/drives/timings). chances are it wil just be the date/time though, when you 1st switch on the machine you should see a meggage 'hit del' to enter setup (or similar), this is the key which will allow you to reset the date/time after the change

espresso

Simon_M wrote: »

The battery is not rechargeable, so what happens is this:

You power the PC up and Windows will connect to a server to determine the correct date and time, you can turn this off but it is on by default..............

Really? The default for Windows is to synchronise once every seven days, if it can connect to the time server.

:rolleyes:

DatabaseError

Leopard, whilst I don't disagree with your post, I did qualify my "the vast majority..." statement by suggesting that mac users usually specify the fact in their OP, though you are absolutely right none of us contemplated the OP could have a lappy.
Due to this being a forum, rather than a live chat, often it is 'better' to make saimple assumptions and point towards an answer than to ask for more and more detail, though, when queries do require detail, I'd like to think the 1st respondent usually points this out and asks for clarification.
Even a post such as the OP in this thread should/would lead to more questions being asked before the OP is requited to get his/her hands dirty, though, obviously, we have become sidetracked..

As to a general statement about this forum, I think, by and large, the posters here show great restraint, some of the other forums I frequent can rapidly descend into 'epic fail' flame wars after the slightest error, very informative and entertaining, but not as easy going as here, generally, with very few exceptions (not you).

As to mrj....'s statement, I think it was an attempt at humour, many, despite holding a little information in our heads, still consider our chosen platform the best (which, for us, it is), and gently mock the major (sic) competitor, albeit with a smile on our faces
:A