PC's clock losing time (1 Viewer)

[Jeremy-P]

I would've thought my PC's internal clock would be the best timekeeper in the house, but it's been keeping horrible time lately. Today I discovered the clock was 15 minutes slow!!!! Could this be a problem with the internal battery in my mobo or something? The system itself is almost 2 years old and runs fine, btw it is always on. Anyone know what could be causing this?

 

[Arthur Legardo]

It's the CMOS battery on the motherboard that is failing, just pop it out and replace it.

 

[Kimmo Jaskari]

Actually, PC's are generally pretty bad timekeepers. However, you can fix that with software and an internet line, especially if you have an always-on connection (or can dial up several times a day)
Check out http://www.arachnoid.com/abouttime/index.html - a very nice program that goes out, gets the current time and resets your PC clock to the proper time.
Of course, it could also be the battery that is failing as well, but even with a good battery most PC's suck at keeping time.
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/Kimmo

 

[John Chow]

Does it lose 15 minutes in a day? Or lost 15 minutes over the past 2 years? Some of the computers that I've worked on are spec-ed to lose approximately 1 second a day. Another interesting thing is, if you're using Win2K, you'll find that it'll lose time like crazy, but will synch up with your system time when you reboot the computer.

 

[Jeremy-P]

It's closer to 15 minutes in 2 weeks. But it usually isn't 15, more like 3 or 4. Thanks for the link Kimmo, I'll check it out.

 

[SteveMc]

It is definately your CMOS battery. It's running low, eventually (hard to say when) it'll die out and you'll have to set date and time everytime you reboot. Its usually just like a watch battery on the motherboard, it is very noticable if you open it up a take a peek. Very easy to replace too, just write down the model # of the one you have and replace it. Generally they should last 6-8 years, but i doubt your system is that old. Could have been a bit drained when you got it.

 

[Kimmo Jaskari]

Just thought I'd emphasize for those who read this that even with a brand new battery PC's are not reliable timekeepers, so the suggestion for a time program stands.
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/Kimmo

 

[Steve J]

Yes, DEFINITELY the CMOS. Same thing happened to me on a system a few years ago.
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xciteboy