Ok can anyone confirm for me that the system time and date settings are stored in the CMOS? And are keep by the onboard disc battery that is located on the motherboard. My xp says it has time and date problems every time i load along with other problems, see my other message earlier.

Generally this info is kept in the BIOS. However, I have noticed that if your in a company on a network, Windows will change its time to sync with some servers. In our company, it will sync with our Novell server.

Yes - the battery does just that job. It also is responsible for the settings memory when the 'puter is switched off.

If the date and time are not keeping up to date as expected or reverting to default, this is a good indication that the cmos battery is failing and should be changed soonest. If you remove the battery, try measuring its voltage and see if it is much below what it is supposed to be. Good luck - keep us posted.

Thank you for your help. I have come to the conclusion that my screens of blue death are the result of a faulty motherboard battery. I will test the voltage in the near future to let this forum come to a conclusion. I've had to bring my update of my machine a few months early as I would have liked. I'm now further in debt that usual. I just glad it isn't the hard drive this time. Considering I've had the motherboard for only two years I'm suprised it has died on me now. I checked all memory and no problems. I lost 2 partitions of information a month ago and I'm thinking this is conected. I pray it isn't the hard drive again. I've bought so many now. What a waste of a happy machine. There were too many different blue screens for a virus attack. So I'm sure it's the motherboard and I'm going to prove it soon. So those that have been part of the story can read the final chapter as I go test other hard drives and test the voltage of the battery.