Laptop Clock Issue

Jamesdeer001

Hi,

I have a Packard Bell Easynote TM86-004 laptop. Last Friday it wouldn't switch on, even when plugged into the mains. So following a few tips, I removed the battery, reinserted and held the power button on for over 30 seconds. Tried this a few times and eventually the laptop came back on and has been working fine since. Except that now the BIOS (and hence windows) clock keep losing/resetting time. Generally, I turn on and the BIOS/Windows clock says 01/01/2009 but it has also said 01/01/2021! Have to then manually update it, but even then, it will lose time.

I contacted Packard Bell who weren't particularly helpful but said it might be the CMOS battery but wouldn't provide any instructions. As a result, is anyone able to help me locate the battery please? I believe I'm looking for a CR2032 battery? I've tried removing the screws to the RAM/SSD bay but couldn't see any CR2032 there. I've then tried removing the other 20 screws to the rest of the base but still couldn't get the shell off. Is it possible that it's under the RAM/SSD?

Thanks

letthemeatcake

I had a similar issue and was told it was a virus and that a later date could cause security issues (i'm only repeating what I was told). I now manually check and correct the time whenever I switch it on.

Stooby2

If it is the battery, have a look on Youtube for a video of dismantling your laptop and where the battery is. Almost all models have been covered by now. Some are easy, some aren't.

macman

The manual should tell you where the CMOS battery is. On some laptops they're easy to access, on some very tricky.

Jamesdeer001

Thanks for the responses. The manual is less than helpful as it doesn't even mention a CMOS battery which made me question whether one existed! Will check on youtube when I get home, thank you. I've run up to date virus scans which haven't returned any results so I do doubt it's a virus but thanks for the suggestion.

poppellerant

Can't even find out how to replace the CMOS battery in the service manual (link), so good luck. :eek:

MandyAW92

Can anyone actually find this on YouTube, I've had a look and can't see anything that fixes the problem

Jamesdeer001

Thanks to all those attempting to help! Useful that the manual suggest changing the CMOS battery but never how! In the Clear CMOS jumper section, it implies that the CMOS battery might be close to where the RAM is. I can have a go at removing the RAM modules but this doesn't look the easiest process in the world. Packard Bell are so helpful!

Stooby2

MandyAW92 wrote: »

Can anyone actually find this on YouTube, I've had a look and can't see anything that fixes the problem

Do a search on "packard bell easynote disassembly" and you'll find a couple.

S0litaire

The battery for the CMOS/BIOS is tucked away on the main board of the laptop.

Follow the instructions on the manual above (see post #6) for "Removing the Top Cover".

Once the plastic cover is off, the Battery is located on the bottom left. it might be glued / soldered to the contacts so it might not be easily replaced.
(In the last image on page 78 it's the light blue circle on the bottom left of the board)

if it is fixed to the board you might need to take it into a PC repair shop.

System

Been there, done that, in fact three weeks ago. From memory the advice was to determine where the CMOS battery is. On some machines it is easily accessible, on others not. A quick search will identify this. Because mine was hidden and required the keyboard ect being removed, I took it to a local guy who charged £4.95 for the battery and £20 time and labour. The battery cost about 65p when googled.