Why would a PC clock go slow + PC crahes

[mrfun1981]

Now il give as much info as i can but its not that much at this stage, as iv not got to look at the system yet

About 6-8 weeks i got parts to build two systems from OCUK parts were:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 7750+ x2
Foxconn M61PMV nForce 430 (95% sure it was this board as i got the cheapest foxconn matx board at the x 2)
1GB DDR2 x2
Hiper 425W HPU-4S425 Silent ATX2.01 x 2 ( got them as they are the cheapest, then joined this forum afterwards & heard a load of bad things about them)

These system are in stoke on Trent they belong to my blind sister & her blind partner. Im based in Birmingham

Had a call from my sister today that one the PC's has problems, it started a few days ago when they noticed the PC clock had some how become a few mins slow & the PC has started crashing a few time over the last few days & they are not sure why. An now the PC clock is about 10 hours slow.

Now im hoping to access the PC tonight via remote connection to try & work out what's they problem, my gut tells me its a software problem but both PC's have the same software & neither of them download at all. so im not 100% sure cos if its software problem surely they both would have the problem?

So has one had a similar problem before, if so what did you do to fix it?
Is there any chance at all this could be a hard problem?

Any input would be great as im not sure where to start checking once i connect to her PC

Cheers

 

[mrfun1981]

Everyone so far thinks its a hard ware issue, which is bad new for me as i dont really have much spare time at the moment to travel to stoke to sort this issues out, that's why i was sort of hoping its a software issue i might be able to sort out remotely

Normally the reason for a slow PC clock is the motherboard battery, but this is a new system, right?

Also, you mention they dont download, but do they have an internet connection to get OS and driver updates, perhaps a newer BIOS update would be needed too.

Yeah its a new system, & all parts were got on the same day so both boards would have the same biso, so if it was a bios problem it would be on both boards, right?

May I ask how can they see the computer issues out of interest if they are blind? Or is it partial or some helper who notices?

Anyway, on topic: Try replacing the battery and also look at replacing the PSU as well. The baterry could crash the computer because the BIOS settings are changing while it is running? Could destabilize the system. Also the PSU might not be supplying enough volts to the machine to keep it running happily. The PSU being the most likely cause of the two I'd say. Could also be a bad motherboard, but try the two cheaper/easier options first.

They are totally blind & use speach software called jaws & there are keyboard keys that will read the time to them. An as for the crashing if the PC becomes no reponsive to the keyboard commands while using programmes for a good 5 mins they will say the PC has crashe

Link to the software they use http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp

1, if its the battery can i just replace it with a battery of the same size from any shop or are they a specail battery, iv never needed to replace one before. Also if its the battery can it be returned or would that be to much hassle do you think?
2, As both systems have the same PSU & the one system is ok, could it really be a PSU issue? I do have a PSU tester lying around, if i get up there i could test it. An if there was a issue take it back to OCUK but would they have time to do there tests on it the same time & give a replacement.

Or would you just recommend changing both PSU's to a better make, but that wouldnt please my sister as they dont have a lot of money at the moment

 

[mrfun1981]

I hope you can get it sorted remotely, mate ... but I feel this is one of those issues where you have to physically be there to pinpoint the problem.

As far as motherboard battery replacement, for older (and I mean a decade or so old) I've had to replace friends mobo battery's, normally I take them into a Jeweller or watch specialist shop and they can fix me up with a similar spec battery, though they charge a bit over the odds for this.

But two brand new motherboards should not have defective or worn out battery's unless they came from a bad batch or something?

Good Luck.

Thanks,

i do get the feeling that i might have to be there to sort the problem & even if im there & re set the time Iv still got to use the PC for a bit & hope it crashes on me for me to work out why its crashing.

Its only one of the boards that have the problem.

Iv arranged with my sister that i will remotely connect to her around 7.30pm tonight once iv got all my kids to bed, then i will be able to concentrate to try to see if there is a problem.

Any one know any good free on line virus scanning software because it might be a long shot but what if there is a virus on the PC & her anti virus has not picked it up. Thats why im thinking of trying some other software. But the only way they would have got a virus is if they went on to a doggey website my mistake & they have not said anything to me about that.

At the moment im keeping all options open