Computer clock keeps drifting (though system is powered)

[Bob]

Any idea what could cause a system to lose time, despite being powered
up? My understanding is that the CMOS battery is only in effect when
the system is powered down.

By 'lose time', I mean that I set the clock 3 days ago. It's now the
23rd, but the computer says it's the 21st.

 

[Ron Badour]

Whenever I see weird problems like this, my first thought is malware. This
program is really good at cleaning out infections:

Anti-Malware 1.33, a free program, can be downloaded from here:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebyte...l-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button&cdlPid=10997763

And a full scan with an updated antivirus program should follow.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

 

[Eric]

Any idea what could cause a system to lose time, despite being powered
up? My understanding is that the CMOS battery is only in effect when
the system is powered down.

By 'lose time', I mean that I set the clock 3 days ago. It's now the
23rd, but the computer says it's the 21st.

If the computer has been running 24/7 for a long time without any
power-saving functions kicking in this kind of thing can happen - the
software begins to malfunction.

If that is the case restart the computer, preferably with Hibernation
enabled in Power Options in the Control Panel.

Eric,
PC Buyer Beware!
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/

 

[Unknown]

Many, many computers run 24/7 and do not experience this type of failure.
More than likely malware or an intermittent
hardware failure.

Any idea what could cause a system to lose time, despite being powered
up? My understanding is that the CMOS battery is only in effect when
the system is powered down.

By 'lose time', I mean that I set the clock 3 days ago. It's now the
23rd, but the computer says it's the 21st.

If the computer has been running 24/7 for a long time without any
power-saving functions kicking in this kind of thing can happen - the
software begins to malfunction.

If that is the case restart the computer, preferably with Hibernation
enabled in Power Options in the Control Panel.

Eric,
PC Buyer Beware!
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/