Random system tray time on startup

Dear People…

I think I may have a ‘bad guy’ on my machine that changes my system tray clock time on startup. The times are random, and once (so far) the date was changed. No change on Restart., and when I adjust the clock, it’s OK for the session.

<SNIP>

 

Hello, Pete C....

Thanks for the response. I was afraid I'd get the answer you gave.

Thought I'd try here first, just in case.

 

Hi, Pete...

Sorry for the late reply. I haven't been online for several days.

I've gotten conflicting information on changing the battery; for instance, just change the battery (with or without the machine turned on), up to having to do a complete redo of the BIOS setup.

I called the fellow from whom I had purchased the machine to get some pointers, but his response was that I shouldn't try it on my own; that I should let him do it.

So, I'm still investigating.

I'd prefer doing it myself, if I can be reasonably certain I won't mess things up.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks.

 

I was too late to edit my last post.

The one thing I neglected, was to complete the sentence in reference to the computer guy; he's actually a dealer (he assembles the machines he sells), and he wanted a fee.

It isn't all that expensive, but I'd still rather do it myself.

 

Thank you.

I shall return

 

On one of the sites I visited for info about my problem, I found a recommendation to leave my computer turned on for three days, in the hope that the battery would be recharged.

On the first night, both the date and time were off, but on the following two nights the date and time remained accurate.

I shut the machine down after the third night, and when I turned it back on the next day, the time was exactly two hours off, suggesting that the battery might have been partially charged..

Nevertheless, I decided to change the battery, which I did today, with no problem.

Fortunately, I had copied the Setup info, because I had to change some of the parameters.

After that, the machine worked like a charm.

Please close this thread. Mission Accomplished.

Thanks.

 

For yourself and others reading this thread, it's very unlikely that your CMOS battery is rechargable, as you've found out

As suggested by Pete, replacing the battery is no big deal and as long as you are carefull regarding static electricity etc it is also quite safe.

These batteries need to be replaced every few years but generally the battery out lives the computer.

 

Hi, wildfire...

Thanks for your input.

I took Pete's advice and replaced the battery. It was easy, as both of you have suggested.

My major concern was the Setup parameters, so I had copied all the screens.

Good thing....I had to make several changes.

Since the clock is now maintaining the proper time, it's safe to assume that the battery was the problem, and not a 'bad guy', as I had first suspected.

Thanks, again, to both you and Pete.