Windows clock issue.

pineapple

My windows XP computer is around 9 years old and just lately the clock has started losing an hour or so overnight when it is switched off. I have to synchronize it again in the morning - after which it is fine for the rest of the day.
Can't find any malware or virus after scanning both in normal and safe mode so possibly the CMOS battery is going. :huh:
1) Is this a serious enough problem that it needs fixing - ie could it crash the system? Or is it OK to live with for a while?
2) Is the battery easy to replace yourself? - I've read all sorts of scare stories on the net about people who messed up their computer in the process. Of course I could take it in to the shop/repair place where I bought it. They actually build their own computers and repairs are quite cheap compared to other places
3) Or is there anything else I can try?

That said, due to space restrictions, I always wished I had bought a laptop instead of a desktop. Plus the fan has made an irritating faint hum since I bought it. Plus it is getting on a bit - on its second hard drive with a soon to be defunct operating system. So would you just bite the bullet and replace it?

mwddrwg

You're better off changing the battery. Eventually you'll have problems accessing websites which require valid security certificates which won'r work unless the date and time on your PC is correct. It's pretty straightforward 5 minute job - if you can get the case open then it's obvious where it should go on the motherboard. It's a 3V watch battery that you need.

Spankey

Remove mains power cable then just pop out the 10pence piece like battery by pressing the small tab holding it in and pop in new 3 volt battery with flat side up.

Battery from here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-CR2032-Battery-pack-Lithium/dp/B000I2JZLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384165938&sr=8-1&keywords=cmos+batteries

Oblivion

I would just suggest making a record of all the BIOS settings first in case it resets itself when the battery is removed.

macman

CMOS battery change on a desktop PC is a cinch. Laptops can be next to impossible without major a stripdown. It depends on the model.

pineapple

I worry about getting a shock poking around a computer innards. A repair shop told me I should switch it off but keep it connected and the power supply on. Can this be right? :eek:

johnmc

£shop for 4 batteries. Dead easy to change.

Quiet_Spark

Oblivion wrote: »

I would just suggest making a record of all the BIOS settings first in case it resets itself when the battery is removed.

As the clock has already lost time, it's quite likely the rest of the BIOS settings have also reverted to factory default.

woodworm001

pineapple wrote: »

I worry about getting a shock poking around a computer innards. A repair shop told me I should switch it off but keep it connected and the power supply on. Can this be right? :eek:

That is so you don't fry the PC with static as the computer is still connected to the earth as is pretty common - though obviously you still need to be careful.

trollopscarletwoman

mwddrwg wrote: »

You're better off changing the battery. Eventually you'll have problems accessing websites which require valid security certificates which won'r work unless the date and time on your PC is correct.

That does happen on mine where date and time is not current.

Usually Takes a couple of weeks of lag on mine.

Manually update and its fine.

wongataa

pineapple wrote: »

I worry about getting a shock poking around a computer innards. A repair shop told me I should switch it off but keep it connected and the power supply on. Can this be right? :eek:

You won't get a shock doing this. I do this when fiddling with the innards of my computer.