why does the system clock of my PC stops updating?

Question

usually, even if the PC is turned off then turned on, the system clock displays the current date/time, but mine is still stuck on the date/time from my last use.

Answer 1

* You might need to change the battery. Most computers have two internal clocks that track the time and date. The one you are most apt to know about keeps the computer's time and date you see when the machine is on. This main clock draws its power from the running computer, and usually reports the correct time and date. It can only run when the computer is actually on.

The second clock keeps track of time when the computer is off, and draws its power from a small battery. This battery will eventually weaken and cause the secondary clock to lose both "ticks" and time. At first it is trivial, but it can begin to drift as much as several hours overnight!

When you turn the computer on in the morning, the startup process asks the second, battery powered clock for the current time and date, assumes the answer is correct, sets the systems main time clock to match, and then goes about its other startup business.

However, if the battery powered clock that keeps time drifts, due to a weak battery, the startup process won't know any better, and will assume the wrong time. When this happens, the result is almost always a "late" clock, meaning the computer's main clock reports a time that in reality has already come and gone. After a long weekend the date may be wrong as well.

When the main computer clock is wrong it can always be set from some clock related control in Windows or the Mac operating system, from DOS, or even from the computer's hardware setup screen. All of these techniques will correct the time and date reported by the clock, at least until the computer is turned off. Once the machine is turned off, the battery powered clock will resume its lazy time-keeping chores.

No battery lasts forever, but eventually weakens. They can last from 1 to 5 or more years, depending on which of the several types of battery your particular hardware uses. When you begin to notice your computer's clock drifting significantly, this is not a problem with any of your software, nor with your computer, per se, but with the secondary clock's battery, which you need to replace.

*How to Change the Battery in a Computer
A computer has a battery or special chip that retains computer (CMOS) settings and runs the computer clock even after the computer itself is turned off. If you have to reset the date and time on your computer every time you start it, you may need to replace your computer battery. This procedure applies to IBM-compatible computers that have a replaceable battery or a connector for a spare battery.

Steps:
1. Record the current CMOS settings first. Turn on or restart your computer. As soon as the computer settings are displayed on the screen, press the Pause or Break key (upper-right corner of the keyboard) to freeze the computer display.

2. Press the Print Screen key to print the display, or write the settings on paper. Keep this information in case you lose your computer settings.

3. Turn off and unplug the computer. Remove the cover.

4. Record the type of battery that is currently installed, but do not remove it. Lithium or alkaline batteries are in holders attached to the motherboard. Built-in batteries are soldered onto the motherboard, but a connector should be available for a spare battery. Note the type of connector.

5. Purchase the replacement battery.

6. Remove the existing battery and replace it with the new battery in exactly the same configuration (same polarity, or + and - settings). Spare batteries with a connector generally fit one way only, but check the computer documentation.

7. Replace the computer cover, plug in the power cord, and start the computer.

8. Reset the computer date and time.

Warnings:
Make sure you are grounded (touch safe metal, such as the computer frame) before touching the computer components. Static electricity can build up in your body and be discharged on the computer components, causing permanent damage to them.

If you lose the CMOS settings, open the computer setup screen (press the Del key or other key specified during computer startup) and enter the settings you recorded earlier.


*How to Change the Time on Your Computer's Clock
You may want to change your computer's time if you move to a new time zone, or if you've just replaced the computer's battery. (Windows automatically adjusts for daylight-saving time, so you don't need to worry about that.) These instructions are for Windows 98. Instructions for other operating systems or versions may vary.

Steps:
1. From the Start menu, click on Settings and then on Control Panel. A window with icons and text will open.

2. From the Control Panel window, double-click on Date/Time. When a window appears, click the Date & Time tab. Underneath the clock, you will see a text box displaying the time that your computer is currently showing.

3. Insert your cursor in the text box and change the numbers to the time you want. Change seconds, minutes and hours if desired.

4. Use the small arrows at the right side of the text box to change to a.m. or p.m.

5. Click OK.

Tips:
You can program your clock to automatically incorporate daylight-saving time changes. To do this, click the Time Zone tab, then put a check in the box beside "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes."

Warnings:
The time that the clock is showing is the time that will be stamped on your documents. If you change the computer's time for experimental purposes, be aware that the time shown on your documents' properties will not be accurate.


*Synchronizing your computer clock.
If your computer is a member of a domain, your computer clock is probably synchronized automatically by a network time server. If your computer is not a member of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an Internet time server.

If synchronization is enabled, your computer clock is synchronized with an Internet time server once a week. However, if you don't have a continuous Internet connection through a cable modem or DSL modem, the automatic synchronization might not always occur. In that case, you can force an immediate synchronization by clicking the Update Now button on the Internet Time tab in Date and Time in Control Panel. This tab is only available if your computer is not a member of a domain.

When you click the Update Now button, your clock should be synchronized immediately. If it fails, it might be for one of the following reasons:

*You are not connected to the Internet. Establish an Internet connection before you attempt to synchronize your clock.

*Your personal or network firewall prevents clock synchronization. Most corporate and organizational firewalls will block time synchronization, as do some personal firewalls. Home users should read the firewall documentation for information about unblocking network time protocol (NTP). You should be able to synchronize your clock if you switch to Windows Firewall.

*The Internet time server is too busy or is temporarily unavailable. If this is the case, try synchronizing your clock later, or update it manually by double-clicking the clock on the taskbar. You can also try using a different time server.

*The time shown on your computer is too different from the current time on the Internet time server. Internet time servers might not synchronize your clock if your computer's time is off by more than 15 hours. To synchronize the time properly, ensure that the date and time settings are set close to your current time in the Date and Time Properties in Control Panel.

*To open Date and Time, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Date and Time.

*An Internet time server updates the date set by your computer as well as the time.

*The Update Now button is not available unless the Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server check box is selected.

*You can change the time on your computer clock manually on the Date & Time tab in Date and Time in Control Panel. You can also open Date and Time by double-clicking the clock on the taskbar.

Answer 2

Might be that the button battery is dead/dying and it's a simple fix.

Answer 3

it could be your date/time settings. Double check it.

Answer 4

Battery could be dying!!