computer clock loosing time and date

[Guest]

My computer is loosing date and time. Ive replaced the cmos battery 3 times
in the past 6 months, but it only lasts a few weeks. Can anyone suggest
something to fix the problem.
Thanks Des

 

[Bob I]

Don't kill power to the computer case with a power strip?

 

[Nightowl]

My computer is loosing date and time. Ive replaced the cmos battery 3 times
in the past 6 months, but it only lasts a few weeks. Can anyone suggest
something to fix the problem.
Thanks Des

Hi Des

Is the computer losing time when it's on, or is the time and date only
wrong when you first power it up? If the PC doesn't keep time when it's
shut off, it's most likely the battery. If the problem happens when it's
running, it's not the battery at fault. Can you give a bit more detail
about what's happening?

 

[Unknown]

What is the logic in that response?

Don't kill power to the computer case with a power strip?

 

[Unknown]

Is power always on? Do you shut down the computer? . When does it lose time?
Are you,periodically syncing your clock with a server?

 

[Terry R.]

On 9/5/2007 8:16 AM On a whim, dessie pounded out on the keyboard

My computer is loosing date and time. Ive replaced the cmos battery 3 times
in the past 6 months, but it only lasts a few weeks. Can anyone suggest
something to fix the problem.
Thanks Des

Hi Des,

In Control Panel, Date & Time, Internet Time tab, is "Automatically...."
checked? Click the Update Now button and see if it synchronizes.

If that doesn't help, you can get freebie utilities that update more
often. I've used About Time prior to XP on client machines and it works
well and can be configured to update at specific times (say every 5
minutes if you choose). You can get it here:
http://www.arachnoid.com/abouttime/

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[Daave]

My computer is loosing date and time. Ive replaced the cmos battery 3
times
in the past 6 months, but it only lasts a few weeks. Can anyone
suggest
something to fix the problem.

You never said *how much* time you're losing.

If it's not much, that's just how Windows is. Either manually adjust it
every week or so or synch it up with time.windows.com.:

Date and Time Properties | Internet Time

Make sure the box next to "Automatically synchronize with an Internet
time server" is checked.

By the way, although I'm not sure if it's still this way, Macs had the
opposite problem!

 

[Bob I]

The simple fact that the battery only need to supply power when the PC
is disconnected from the mains.

 

[Unknown]

The batteries normally last about 5 years and she has replaced it 3 times
already.

 

[Bob I]

The particular motherboard may be defective and draw abnormally high, so
when the PC has no outside power the battery goes flat quickly.

 

[Daave]

Even if that would work, it's treating the symptom but not the cause. I
turn off my power strip, yet my batteries last at least three years at a
time (not months).

 

[Bob I]

Replacing the motherboard is certainly an alternative. BUT in this case
treating the symptom is less painful than the cure.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

The simple fact that the battery only need to supply power when the PC
is disconnected from the mains.

No, the battery is used to supply power to the CMOS whenever the
computer is powered off, regardless of whether the computer is plugged
in or not.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My computer is loosing date and time. Ive replaced the cmos battery 3 times
in the past 6 months, but it only lasts a few weeks. Can anyone suggest
something to fix the problem.

How do you know it lasts only a few weeks? Exactly what are your
symptoms? Does it lose the time and date while running or while
powered off?

These batteries normally last several years. Needing to replace a
battery after a few weeks might be possible if the battery were
defective, but the chances of getting three defective batteries in six
months are slight enough to rule out that possibility.

At any rate, if the battery truly did need to be replaced, this is not
a Windows problem. Almost certainly there is something wrong with the
motherboard.

 

[Bob I]

Humm, then I have been very fortunate. I have PCs over 7 years old that
run maybe a couple hours a day, and no battery replacement yet.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Humm, then I have been very fortunate. I have PCs over 7 years old that
run maybe a couple hours a day, and no battery replacement yet.

No, it's not a matter of particularly good fortune. Seven years is on
the high side, but most batteries typically last at least five years
or so.

 

[Guest]

It loses time and date when powered off.

How do you know it lasts only a few weeks? Exactly what are your
symptoms? Does it lose the time and date while running or while
powered off?

These batteries normally last several years. Needing to replace a
battery after a few weeks might be possible if the battery were
defective, but the chances of getting three defective batteries in six
months are slight enough to rule out that possibility.

At any rate, if the battery truly did need to be replaced, this is not
a Windows problem. Almost certainly there is something wrong with the
motherboard.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

It loses time and date when powered off.

Then it certainly sounds like the battery. It can't be Windows. If
it's failing that often, there must be something wrong with the
motherboard to make it happen.

 

[Daave]

That's assuming there are only two choices.

I highly doubt the motherboard needs replacing!!!

 

[Daave]

Ah, you didn't say that before. If that's the case, I agree with Ken.

Hopefully it's not the motherboard, but it's a distinct possibility. I
wonder if it's a jumper setting...

But I'm still puzzled. I understand what "losing time" means. But what
do you mean by "losing date"?

If you were to correct the clock at 8 PM tonight and shut down, then
power up tomorrow night 24 hours later at 8 PM. how much time will you
have lost? And do you lose that much time (at least 20 hours) that the
date will not have advanced?