PC time issue

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peejayw

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#288629 13-Jul-2021 14:23

I have a fairly old desktop PC running Windows 10. Just recently the system time has started behaving oddly. After doing a time synch it runs ok for maybe 10 min or so then either slows, stops or starts going backwards. This while the computer is on and running. I have heard that it might need a new bios battery but I thought that was only to keep the system time when the computer was switched off.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#2743672 13-Jul-2021 14:34

Wont hurt replacing the battery anyway.

Its regional settings etc are set to NZ ?

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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peejayw

1841 posts

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#2743675 13-Jul-2021 14:37

Yes, Time and Region are set to Auto.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Jase2985

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#2743748 13-Jul-2021 15:56

Mine is doing the same thing, started about 1-2 months ago, i think after a windows update.

i was manually setting the time

I rest the time 2 hours ago and its already lost 2 minutes, in 2 hours.

I wouldn't have thought it was the battery as the system is powered on all the time

tripper1000

1617 posts

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#2743749 13-Jul-2021 15:57

Bios battery is usually only need when turned off. Computers with a flat battery will normally keep their time while powered up. Most, but not all, computers also give a warning on power-up when their battery is flat. But they're cheap and easy to change - typically a 2032 button cell or similar (have a look) and ~$5 from hardware store or supermarket.

Auto isn't the same as having the region set to N.Z. Auto means the computer is free the change region willy-nilly which would explain time changes. You're not using a proxy server by any chance?

peejayw

1841 posts

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#2743750 13-Jul-2021 16:01

I have set Region to NZ and have set the timezone to Auck, no proxy.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#2743753 13-Jul-2021 16:02

Not had any issues here and Im fully updated.

My time/date settings...

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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freitasm

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#2743763 13-Jul-2021 17:12

Try changing the server to time.cloudflare.com - although time update is only every few hours or days so it shouldn't affect - but who knows?

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peejayw

1841 posts

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#2743766 13-Jul-2021 17:21

I put in a new battery and so far it has kept time for about an hour so fingers crossed.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

peejayw

1841 posts

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#2743896 14-Jul-2021 09:27

After replacing the battery the issue seems to have been fixed, time has been maintained correctly overnight. Thanks for all the suggestions esp XPD who prompted me to change the battery, would never have thought that could be the problem.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.