Resolved Computer date/time back dated. Security issue or CMOS battery?

Once again, I need the help from the experts at WindowsBBS!

Several months ago my computer back dated itself. It was quite some time ago so I don't recall what the trigger was. Until a week ago, I simply stopped using my computer. I browsed a couple of topics which seemed similar to mine and decided to check my CMOS battery. My digital multimeter indicated that the battery read 3.27V both stand alone (out of the mother board) and while in the motherboard with the computer running. Since putting the original battery back in and configuring the bios the computer has been displaying the proper date/time for the past few days. Since then, I have updated all my Window XP OS files. I have also updated SpyBot S&D, Malware Bytes, Symantec AV and performed the Panda Active Scan 2.0. SpyBot and Malware indicated no problems. After updating Symantec, I get the message "Scan stopped by user ". I've visited the Symantec website support and tried both of their solutions (ensuring at least 10% hard drive space, and changing a couple of registry keys). Anyway, since I could not get a successful scan with my own AV, I utilized ActiveScan2.0. Active scan indicated 8 tracking cookies.

To cut to the chase, I basically would like to know if my problem may be virus or harware related. Whatever the case, I'd be more than happy to provide anything you need to ensure that my computer is running problem free! Thanks for taking the time to read my e-mail!!!

Tako

 

Computer date/time problem is most often due to faulty battery and/or battery contacts. Since you have already checked the voltage [nominal value 3V], we can rule out the battery. Contacts could be a problem - take out the battery & wipe the contacts with a clean cloth.

I won't worry much about cookies but if you want to be more sure you can download & scan the computer with Avira Boot CD http://www.techmixer.com/avira-antivir-rescue-disk-download-to-clean-virus-and-malware/

 

rsinfo,

Thanks for your quick response and help in this matter. I did not have any success in getting the computer to boot up from CD. I changed the boot priority to my CD ROM and made sure the .iso file was already in the CD ROM drive but it did not work as the website described. The computer booted up normally which leads me to believe that since it could not boot from the CD ROM or floppy that it booted from the hard drive. In any case, I did download the Avira removal tool. I scanned the computer and below are the results.

Sober.J/P/Y
TR/Agent.imh/its
TR/Drop.Agent.qna.2/Agent.qna.1
TR/PSW.Delf.AH/Kates.C.25
TR/Spy.Delf.tge/Banker.AATZ/Banker.AATZ.1/Banker.AATZ.2/Banker.AATZ.3
W32/Stanit.A
Worm/NetSky.P

Version: 3.0.1.17, Jun 3 2009 11:33:20

Use /? to list all available command line options

Error: failed to access logfile "removaltool-win32-en.log ".

- Host: "bronze ", IP: 192.168.0.102

Scanning memory... done

No malware found in memory


Scanning drive C: ...

Scanning drive D: ...

Scanning drive E: ...

No malware found on hard drives

scan results:

scanned directories: 8948
scanned files: 129574
scanned streams: 137
scanned processes: 50
scanned modules: 416

infected files: 0
infected processes: 0

repaired/removed files: 0
renamed files: 0
terminated processes: 0

elapsed time for memory scan: 24.67 seconds
average memory scanner throughput: 6672.79 KB/s

elapsed time for file scan: 1404.11 seconds
average file scanner throughput: 932.52 KB/s

Thank you for using AntiVir Removal Tool.

What's the verdict? Should I pursue any other avenues to ensure my computer is secure?

Thanks,
Tako

 

Avira removal tool only scans for a subset of viruses, but since you have already scanned with other tools [SpyBot S&D, Malware Bytes, Symantec AV , Panda Active Scan 2.0. SpyBot and Malware] I don't think its a malware/virus issue. It could well be the battery contacts.

If the date/time doesn't change after leaving the computer off overnight, I think there is no point in loosing any sleep over it .

 

rsinfo,

I turn off my computer every night and have been doing so since the middle of last week. After placing the battery back in the mother board and configuring the date and time through the bios, the computer has not displayed incorrect date/time info. It's been almost a week now and I haven't seen any problems. As a last request, can you look at my ActiveScan log file and let me know if everything looks okay?

;***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
ANALYSIS: 2010-05-28 09:03:26
PROTECTIONS: 0
MALWARE: 8
SUSPECTS: 0
;***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
PROTECTIONS
Description Version Active Updated
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
MALWARE
Id Description Type Active Severity Disinfectable Disinfected Location
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
00139061 Cookie/Doubleclick TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@doubleclick[2].txt
00139064 Cookie/Atlas DMT TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@atdmt[1].txt
00167704 Cookie/Xiti TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@xiti[1].txt
00168056 Cookie/YieldManager TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@ad.yieldmanager[1].txt
00168090 Cookie/Serving-sys TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@serving-sys[1].txt
00168093 Cookie/Serving-sys TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@bs.serving-sys[2].txt
00169190 Cookie/Advertising TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@advertising[2].txt
00273339 Cookie/Smartadserver TrackingCookie No 0 Yes No c:\documents and settings\leslie\local settings\temp\cookies\leslie@smartadserver[2].txt
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
SUSPECTS
Sent Location
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
VULNERABILITIES
Id Severity Description
;===================================================================================================================================================================================
;===================================================================================================================================================================================


I apologize about the formatting...

Tako

 

Everything looks ok to me. Don't worry about the cookies.

 

That's refreshing news! Let's close this issue out and mark it resolved. Thanks for all your help rsinfo!!!

Tako

 

PeteC,

Thank you for providing that information and thank WindowsBBS for their excellent service. My problems appears to have been solved by a "reseating" the battery. Doing so may have inadvertently cleaned the contacts or provided the battery a more secure fit. As a precautionary step, I'll replace the battery right away and clean the contacts.

Thanks again!!!
Tako