Computer Keeps resetting date/time?

Question

Every time the power goes out and I haven't made it to my computer in time to shut it off, or whenever it's shut down for a 'long' (more than an hour) period of time, it loses the date?

Whenever I restart the computer, it says the date/time has been re-set and pulls up the BIOS screen, then I have to reset the date/time in the BIOS section.

It always resets to 01/01/01 and even when I reset it into the system when the computer starts up, the time/date will be updated but not the year.

It's really bugging me, and someone told me that my hard drive is failing and that's a sign.

Please tell me this isn't true, and if it isn't, what could it possibly be?

Answer 1

That is NOT a hard drive problem.  There is a tiny battery on your motherboard that supplies power to the clock.  It looks like an over-sized watch battery.  They last a LONG time (often the life of the computer).  If it dies, the clock will have to be reset every time the computer is powered up.

If your computer is a desktop, simply remove the case and look for the battery on the motherboard.  It will probably be easily replaceable (although I've seen some computers that actually had it soldered in place.

If your computer is a notebook, don't mess with it unless you are feeling very lucky!  Those notebook cases can be very difficult to take apart and even harder to get back together.  I'd recommend you have a dealer change the notebook's clock battery.

Answer 2

The internal battery, which keeps the system time and powers the CMOS, is dead.

Answer 3

more likely to be the internal CMOS battery is dying or dead...you should be able to replace it (contact the manufacturer to find out what type of battery and where its located, and then replace)

Answer 4

Hi Teflon

Hard drive failure has nothing to do with the system time. Your system-board's battery might have drained. Try replacing it. You may also consider setting your internet time-zone correctly in Control Panel (Date and Time applet).