Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>

Hi Doreen,
If the time is off exactly one hour, it is possible your computer tried to
compensate for standard/daylight time change too often.

If it is actually losing time slowly, and has not done so in the past, it
is not likely to be the backup battery, although this is possible.

Depends a lot on how new your computer is.  The operating systems themselves
do a very bad job of keeping track of time for very complex historical
reasons.  Most more modern machines have an actual hardware clock chip some
where inside that is used to keep track of time when the machine is off.

There are any number of reasons why this could be losing time.

There are programs that will go get and set the correct time from an internet
time server for you whenever you access the net.  I have no
particular experience witht them.

Replacing the backup battery differs so widely from model to model of computer
that all that anybody can say to do is have an experienced technician open
it up and look.

Unless you have such a technician willing to work cheap, I'd not spend the
money.  Either get one of the programs discribed above, or just
remember to check and reset the time your self on occasion.

If your computer is several years old, then the battery can be used both for
the clodk and to hold so-called "CMOS" memory.  This remembers low level settings
used when the computer starts.

Most more modern machines, with in say 4 or 5 years old, don't use this kind
of CMOS memory backup any more, they use "Flash" memory which doesn't require
a backup battery.

So, if you have an older machine, then having someone check the battery could
be more critical, since if you loose your 'CMOS" settings you'll
need sighted help to restore them.

If you're not comfused  yet, then why not <G>

Tom Fowle


Net-Tamer V 1.13 Beta - Registered


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