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Here is a thread i found regarding the computer clock reverting to the time when last plugged in.
http://www.computing.net/answers/ha...
I'm having the exact same issue with my pc now (over the last week or so). Did you ever solve this problem, or do you know the reason? I should also add, my computer clock has always been kinda iffy. I've had this motherboard since 2005, and the clock seems to run a few minutes faster than it should after a few weeks. Not a big issue because it was only a few minutes. However, now i'm experiencing the same clock problem discussed in your thread from 2004-2005. Just wondering what the problem may be. Thanks
Shuttle AN35N Ultra
Athlon 2000+
1GB PC2100
enermax 350W
ti4200
When a PC's AC plug is pulled the clock runs off the motherboard battery. If the battery is dead or the connection to the clock is open, that will cause the clock to stop when the plug is pulled.
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The battery checked out fine with my voltmeter (3 volts).
Still wondering what "else" could cause this problem. Also, the issue with my clock running faster than it should, could that be directly related to my new problem?
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That old thread pretty much covered it. When power was cut to the system, none of the BIOS settings would reset other than the time, so it seems that the only thing that could have been wrong was the RTC (real time clock).
Is this problem with your Shuttle AN35N Ultra?
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If you removed the battery and tested it with a volmeter (off-load) it can can be misleading. Sometimes the voltage drops as soon as a load is applied. This applies to any battery.
The best test of battery is replacement (they are cheap).
Alternatively you need to construct a dummy load. This requires that you know what the typical load is for the battery and use ohms law to determine a suitable resistor. You then measure the voltage whilst the resistor is connected.
some other bloke...
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I would say that the clock itself is ok (even if not very accurate). Real time clocks have a reputation of being pretty inaccurate. The symptoms indicate an open connection between the battery and the clock.
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If it won't make things worse, remove the motherboard, flip it over and check the voltage at the battery holder solder joints. That'll tell you if the battery and battery holder are good.
When the date resets to the bios default, do you lose the other cmos settings--maybe getting a message about 'defaults loading' or 'hit F1 to continue, F2 to enter setup'?
Could an errant screw or piece of metal have fallen on or gotten under the motherboard, maybe shorting something?
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Yeah, the problem with my pc is essentially the same issue you had with your build Jam. After turning the computer on in the morning, the clock always read the exact time I shut it down the previous night.
Update: After looking through my old computer parts, I found a packaged (new) battery. I installed it and then turned my computer off for about an hour. Powered it up, and the time is accurate! Hopefully, this fixed the problem. Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly.
So, it's normal for my computer clock to be off by a few minutes after several weeks?
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What's normal? I don't know. But go to the window where you adjust the date and time and open the Internet time tab. Then select 'Automatically Synchronize with an internet time server', that should keep the time fairly close.
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I assume from what aegis said that XP has a similar arrangement to W2k. My XP keeps very good time without any further ado.
If there is no online correction then I've found that the time varies. Typically it will gain when the machine has a lot of use and lose when it has little use. There are third party programs around that synchronise the time but take care because they are often malware. I can point you to a safe one if the need arises.
some other bloke...
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DAVE
Good to see that you are still tramping the board. I'm still my old pedantic self LOL, even though I keep a low profile these days.
What you said about testing the battery in situ (without powering up) is fine for ensuring that "the connections are OK" but the lack of load still applies, so it is still a dubious test of the battery itself.
If you are powered up then it is a different matter but I would not wish to recommend that on safety grounds, plus the fact that with a slip of the probes you could zap the board.
It's just the same with testing flashlight batteries. They can look fine off load but shove a bulb across them whilst testing and often the voltage drops to just a fraction of the correct voltage. In fact, with a flashlight a bulb alone is a better indicator than testing them "off load" using a meter alone.
As said, with computer batteries I'd just cut the cackle and shell out a few cents to try a new one - nothing much lost if you are wrong and it's a sure way to prove the point.
some other bloke...
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Yeah, glad to see you still occasionally contribute.
CMOS chips should draw very little current since they're designed using field effect transistors. Then an open circuit voltage measurement of the battery with a meter should be very nearly the same as a measurement with the battery connected to a cmos load. So if his old battery measured 3 volts, replacing it with a new one shouldn't have made any difference. But apparently it did. I guess his cmos was pulling more current than on the motherboards I've had experience with, causing a larger voltage drop. Either that or his cmos circuitry is very sensitive to input voltage. So as you say, replacing the battery is always a good first step.
I remember a thread from several years ago where time was varying while windows was up but was just fine when the machine was off. The OP traced it to some particular software he was running.
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Yep DAVE, I take the point about FET's drawing little current. As you say, there can be many reasons for this one.
some other bloke...
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