Computer clock losing time.

dog-man · 12 May 2014 at 06:46

I am hoping I can get some suggestions as to what my problem might be.

My computer is losing time, quite fast when powered up.

When I first boot up, the clock is correct, but will then speedily begin to lose time. In about 40 minutes it can lose as much as 15 minutes but this does vary a bit.

I run windows 8.1 64 bit. It has only been happening for around 4 days or so as far as I am aware.

I am leaning to my cmos battery being at the end of it's life but I can't see how that would affect the time keeping when the computer is powered on. I thought the battery was there to retain settings in memory whilst powered off??

I am a bit confused!

I intend to change the battery when I can get one just to rule it out,.

dog-man...

CEUOTC · 12 May 2014 at 07:05

Aye sounds like the CMOS battery is needing changed, also have a peek in the BIOS to see what time it is set at.

Also try a Windows 8 recovery.

ocmanus · 12 May 2014 at 07:45

So when in win, you see the clock out of sync after a period of time? Is time setup to be synchronised with any internet time services?

joeyjojo · 12 May 2014 at 09:07

Some discussion here http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1581

As suggested, try another operating system (e.g. a linux live CD, such as Ubuntu) and see if it drifts. Also, try leaving the BIOS open and watch the system clock. If it still drifts in one or both of them, then it's probably a hardware fault with an oscillator on the board (and the board needs replacing unless you're very good with a soldering iron).

dog-man · 12 May 2014 at 19:18

joeyjojo said:
Some discussion here http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1581

As suggested, try another operating system (e.g. a linux live CD, such as Ubuntu) and see if it drifts. Also, try leaving the BIOS open and watch the system clock. If it still drifts in one or both of them, then it's probably a hardware fault with an oscillator on the board (and the board needs replacing unless you're very good with a soldering iron).

I have run it for some time whilst still inside the bios and the clock kept good time.

I will change the battery tomorrow and see if that does anything.

I will try a Linux live CD after that if it is still losing time.

After that if still losing time, I will kick it!

dog-man · 12 May 2014 at 21:16

Strangely, it seems that my computer is no longer losing time.

I have no idea why.

I shall continue to monitor it over the next few days or so.
I will still change the battery just in case.