Laptop Clock Issue

Jamesdeer001

Thanks to all those who contributed. I tried giving it a go this evening, got keyboard off but it started to look very involved and technical so have bailed. Managed to reconnect the keyboard, which was actually more difficult than you might have thought and have downloaded some software which seems to sync the time when I switch on so hopefully that will be a decent workaround

System

Jamesdeer001 wrote: »

Thanks to all those who contributed. I tried giving it a go this evening, got keyboard off but it started to look very involved and technical so have bailed. Managed to reconnect the keyboard, which was actually more difficult than you might have thought and have downloaded some software which seems to sync the time when I switch on so hopefully that will be a decent workaround

Good on yer for trying. I would have panicked at that stage with the keyboard off. Whilst the time may be OK now, remember this for when the battery actually does need replacing.

Jamesdeer001

Thanks. I contacted Packard Bell who quoted me £70 for the repair. I had to stop myself from laughing down the phone at the guy. £70 for a battery? No thanks! I do think I could have done it but wasn't worth the hassle when there is a software workaround that I'm far more happy with!

System

I'm now asking myself, was his laptop enjoying a malfunction or had the battery run down?. If it was the former, how odd. It must have been that, because no amount of software would re-charge the battery, or would it?

Johnmcl7

islandman wrote: »

I'm now asking myself, was his laptop enjoying a malfunction or had the battery run down?. If it was the former, how odd. It must have been that, because no amount of software would re-charge the battery, or would it?

I'm possibly misunderstanding you but what I believe has happened is the battery has run down and therefore the PC can no longer keep time when powered off so the OP has set up the NTP client (there is one builtin Windows as well as others). This means although the laptop can't keep time itself, it will still have the correct time when it's switched on and has a network connection as it will sync its clock to a remote server.

John

macman

Jamesdeer001 wrote: »

Thanks. I contacted Packard Bell who quoted me £70 for the repair. I had to stop myself from laughing down the phone at the guy. £70 for a battery? No thanks! I do think I could have done it but wasn't worth the hassle when there is a software workaround that I'm far more happy with!

It's not £70 for the battery. The battery is about a pound maximum. It's the labour involved in stripping down and reassembling the laptop to access it.
A local laptop repair shop might do it for £30-40 depending on the time required.

Jamesdeer001

Thanks. I agree that the battery isn't £70. I think part of the fee was shipping etc but wither way, for what it is and while there is a software workaround. Seems very pointless. I noticed it because Chrome was reporting every webpage, including google, as being unsafe which must have been due to it's reporting of the time. I'm pretty sure that the battery has simply run down which is a new one for me, having owned 3 previous laptops, each for around 3/4 years, I've never had this issue. My wife has had hers for 7 years and never had this issue. Still makes you wonder why it's so inaccessible when it's such a simple replacement!

System

Actually, you've reminded me of something. When the clock on my laptop went, I removed it so that it wasn't annoying me. I then asked elsewhere what would happen next. The reply was "you'll soon find out, web pages will not be as they should". In fact many didn't refresh automatically etc.

I have since asked family members if they have experienced the clock battery issue and none have, so it may well be an isolated issue that only makes itself known, when folk such as you and I, ask.

HereToday

I'm no electronics man, but looking at the manual for that model(it shares the same components as some Aspires; perhaps the 5251 and 5551) the RTC battery is on the keyboard side of the Motherboard, as far south of the fan mechanism as you can go. It's also looks a solder job.

Can you see it?

Top picture. Find the centre of the fan unit and move the eye to the right, almost to the end of the board. May be wrapped in blue plastic and soldered to the board.

Use the direct link below to get a larger view(you can click on the picture within the link to get a larger view).
Alternatively you can look at the manual. Page 78. Bottom picture.

Looks something like this:





Direct link