Clock malfunction

  • Thread starter Thread starter jshann
  • Start date Start date
J

jshann

I am having issues with my clock. It seems that everytime I close my laptop
the clock freezes in time. When it is open it also seems like it loses time.
I have to continually update it to get the correct time but if I close my
laptop or if my internet drops the signal, it stops working. Does anyone have
any helpful info on what is either wrong/what I can do to fix it?
 
JerryM said:
Usually when a clock loses time, the motherboard battery need changing.
Click to expand...

No.

That battery is only there to support the BIOS when all other power is
removed... as in when a desktop is unplugged from the outlet or the
laptop battery is removed or becomes totally discharged.
 
OK, I guess I'm thinking that the clock is controlled by the BIOS, enlighten
me!

Nonny said:
What's that got to do with anything? Think about your question a bit
more.
Click to expand...
<Snip>
 
JerryM said:
OK, I guess I'm thinking that the clock is controlled by the BIOS, enlighten
me!
Click to expand...

If it's controlled by the BIOS, then why do XP and Vista have built-in
functions that are meant to keep it accurate? Why are there numerous
little programs available that will sync the clock to the atomic clock
source of your choosing? Surely, none of those are part of the BIOS.

You have attributed a slow clock to the mobo BIOS battery. I have
told you that only works when all power sources OTHER THAN that
battery are disconnected - and then only if that battery is failing
(which is a rare occurrence these days).

Conclusion: when one or more (as in the case of a laptop) of those
power sources are connected, and the clock is running slow... then
it's a different cause.

What is that cause? I ain't got a clue. I've not had that problem,
so I've never had to research it.
 
JerryM said:
OK, I guess I'm thinking that the clock is controlled by the BIOS, enlighten
me!
Click to expand...

If it's controlled by the BIOS, then why do XP and Vista have built-in
functions that are meant to keep it accurate? Why are there numerous
little programs available that will sync the clock to the atomic clock
source of your choosing? Surely, none of those are part of the BIOS.

You have attributed a slow clock to the mobo BIOS battery. I have
told you that only works when all power sources OTHER THAN that
battery are disconnected - and then only if that battery is failing
(which is a rare occurrence these days).

Conclusion: when one or more (as in the case of a laptop) of those
power sources are connected, and the clock is running slow... then
it's a different cause.

What is that cause? I ain't got a clue. I've not had that problem,
so I've never had to research it.
 
OK, Nonny,

I was just going by fixes from the past, where a failing clock was fixed by
replacing the battery on desk tops, I don't have a clue how to fix a laptop
computer.
I was thinking they all operated pretty much the same.

Thanks,
Jerry
 
The battery absolutely powers the clock when the computer is not connected to
an external power source. It is synced to time sources because the clock on
the motherboard is not designed to maintain time as accurately as an atomic
clock.
 
When the OS is not running then the CMOS battery is powering the clock and
maintaining settings.
Click to expand...

With respect, you've just repeated the same mistake. The CMOS battery
powers the clock ONLY when:

1/ The external power to the computer is switched off or removed

2/ (In the case of a laptop) the laptop battery is removed

Only then does the little button cell on the mobo take over. Whether the OS
is running or not isn't relevant.

Unfortunately, I can't explain the odd symptoms the OP is experiencing.
However, I seem to think that Windows does NOT use the mobo clock all the
time - I believe it keeps track of time internally. Presumably this is what
is malfunctioning. As damocles says, perhaps a cold boot will sort it out.

SteveT
 
I'm an engineer.

Both you and Nonny are wrong.

The battery still maintains the RTC functionality on modern PC's.

When that battery is running low it causes the RTC to slow down.

Replacing that battery is the fix.


Here's a quick test for you both.

Power down the PC (but leave it plugged in)

Pull the battery.

Reboot the PC.

Voila the BIOS settings are all set to default and the time is wrong.

Hmm how could that be if that little battery wasn't still running the RTC?

*sighs*

Why do people always insist on posting wrong info :(
 
Shane said:
I'm an engineer.

Both you and Nonny are wrong.

The battery still maintains the RTC functionality on modern PC's.

When that battery is running low it causes the RTC to slow down.

Replacing that battery is the fix.


Here's a quick test for you both.

Power down the PC (but leave it plugged in)

Pull the battery.

Reboot the PC.

Voila the BIOS settings are all set to default and the time is wrong.

Hmm how could that be if that little battery wasn't still running the RTC?

*sighs*

Why do people always insist on posting wrong info :(
Click to expand...

That has always been my experience, although one might expect the 3V
standby on ATX supplies to be used to supplement the battery power it
seems they don't bother.
 
OK, Nonny,

I think I see your reasoning about the clock,

If an operator has power on 24-7 with no shutdowns,
The clock should never run down, RIGHT?

However when ever you close the lid on a laptop or shutdown a desktop,
The power to the motherboard is OFF.
The cmos battery now has to maintain all the basic settings, and over a
period of time will run down.
As the battery weakens the clock loses time.
These batteries are not rechargeable.
These batteries are usually good for about 5 years on an average PC.

I hope I make sense to you with my thinking,

Jerry
 
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