Do PCs still need batteries?
 

The time function on my oldish PC is not working properly. Every few days the "hours" slips back quite a bit although the "minutes" shown seem to be about right (coincidence may be). I do remember that some years ago PCs used a small watch type battery presumably to keep things like the time function going when the PC was turned off.

Is this still the case and if not what else could be amiss?

Many thanks, David

I believe so.

A longlife lithium type battery, good for 5 years supposedly :)

Tony:)

It's called a CMOS Battery, holds settings information for the motherboard and time & date etc.

You can sometimes sort it by leaving the computer on for a few days, else new ones are only a few quid and take seconds to replace.

Thanks - but it takes me 5 minutes to unplug everything and 25 minutes to plug things back in and wonder where they all go :)

They are not part of the PSU are they as I had a new one of these supplied recently?

And are they all different?

Cheers, David

No, they click into the motherboard...

http://ramanathan.files.wordpress.co...s_battery1.jpg

I think in desktops they are generally all the same, 3v, but couldn't tell you for definite.

You won't need to unplug anything either, just unplug it from the wall, take the side of the case off, press the little clip in (earth yourself by holding your left hand onto the case) and try PC World or some IT type shop or even a Jewelers for a replacement.

Hey big thanks Mr Derater!!

Even I should be able to manage that - and I will unplug the power supply........

Cheers, David

You can keep it plugged in to the mains if you want, a lot do as that forms the earth, you still need to keep a part of your body in contact with the case for static protection, some use a wristband that is plugged into the mains, that is what you get taught, in reality nobody does.

If you can't get it out with your fingers, use the shirt nib of a biro, or something non conductive.