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-   -   Slow Clock (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=19658)

  • Feb 3, 2006, 04:11 PM
    speedball1
    Slow Clock
    Hey Guys,

    MY computer clock has been losing about a half hour every twenty four hours.
    I first thought the battery was going bad but my neoghbor tells me that the battery either works or it doesn't. So he doesn't know either. The clock resets fine, it just loses time. This seems to be the only application affected.
    Thanks for the assist. Tom aka speedball1
  • Feb 3, 2006, 04:16 PM
    manutd4eva
    I had this it may be windows. If you reboot and press DEL or ESC or whatever your combo is to get into BIOS is the time correct there? As I think it may be a windows problem like I had
  • Feb 3, 2006, 04:50 PM
    speedball1
    I went into CMOS and the internal clock was the same. Of course I had just reset it. What next? Thanks Eva, next solution! Tom
  • Feb 3, 2006, 05:20 PM
    manutd4eva
    Sorry mate I don't know maybe Scotty knows? I got to go out tomorrow so I can't ask my mate for you because he sorted out mine.
    Good luck, hope it gets sorted

    Utd
  • Feb 3, 2006, 05:38 PM
    Curlyben
    Hey Speedie have you tried syncing your clock to one of the internet time servers.
    This is very easy within XP, just open the clock and you will (after a pause) get an internet time tab. I use Timekeeper.isi.edu for my time keeping, works like a dream.
    On all other versions of windows it is possible to download a small time sync app that check your time on a reular basis.
    Here's one for example
  • Feb 3, 2006, 11:44 PM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Curlyben
    Hey Speedie have you tried syncing your clock to one of the internet time servers.
    This is very easy within XP, just open the clock and you will (after a pause) get an internet time tab. I use Timekeeper.isi.edu for my time keeping, works like a dream.
    On all other versions of windows it is possible to download a small time sync app that check your time on a reular basis.
    Here's one for example

    Just downloaded and installed the Atomic clock application you gave me. Looks like it's going to do the trick. I'll be able to tell in the morning. Thank you, Tom
  • Feb 4, 2006, 06:40 AM
    fredg
    Hi, Speedball,
    I am so glad you have asked this particular question, because I am now forced to do something I have been putting off for 5 years; either printing out or writing down all my BIOS settings!
    Slow time can be caused by a dying CMOS battery. Just as a flashlight will grow dim, so does the clock slow down.
    Normal life of a CMOS battery is around 5 years, give or take a year or two.
    If you wish to read more about about, and what to do, and what else to check for, here is a good link:

    http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/slowclock.html

    If the Atomic Clock works good, then it sounds like a good idea. But, if the battery is really going bad, please have a sheet(s) with your BIOS settings, so you can restore them, if the battery does quit. Sometimes the "Restore Defaults" might not be correct, if any changes have been made since the original.
  • Feb 4, 2006, 06:42 AM
    ScottGem
    Hi Tom, Your neighbor was wrong. Its not all or nothing for the battery. If the battery is weakening it can cause the system clock to slow down. So I would replace it.

    I see Ben beat me to it on the atomic clock sync. I use DSClock (freeware) to do the same thing. It syncs my system clock several times a day.
  • Feb 4, 2006, 06:49 AM
    ScottGem
    Fred has a good suggestion about saving the CMOS settings. Here's a utility to do it:

    http://www.arcom.com/support/y2k/SAVECMOS.htm
  • Feb 4, 2006, 09:58 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ScottGem
    Fred has a good suggestion about saving the CMOS settings. Here's a utility to do it:

    http://www.arcom.com/support/y2k/SAVECMOS.htm

    I downloaded it but when I attempt to call it up it starts to load and then shuts down. I thought there was a glitch in down loading so I went back and down loaded it again. Same thing. Any suggestions Regards, tom
  • Feb 4, 2006, 05:36 PM
    ScottGem
    There is a support link at that site, you might want to check that.
  • Feb 5, 2006, 08:22 AM
    Fergus O'Carroll
    Its definitely a cmos battery problem ( usually 3v), I've seen it loads of times ( I'm in IT maintenance industry ) , you hould be able to buy a battery in any local pharmancy or photo shop , it won't cost you more that 3-5 quid/Euro /dollars .Take the old battery with you so you are sure you buying the correct one.
  • Feb 10, 2006, 08:08 PM
    geraldask
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speedball1
    Hey Guys,

    MY computer clock has been losing about a half hour every twenty four hours.
    I first thought the battery was going bad but my neoghbor tells me that the battery either works or it doesn't. So he doesn't know either. The clock resets fine, it just loses time. This seems to be the only application affected.
    Thanks for the assist. Tom aka speedball1

    The system battery is weak.

    Geraldask

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