How does the computer's clock work when it is off?

Question

How does the computer's clock work when it is off?

Answer 1

In your computer (as well as other gadgets), the battery powers a chip called the Real Time Clock (RTC) chip. The RTC is essentially a quartz watch that runs all the time, whether or not the computer has power. The battery powers this clock. When the computer boots up, part of the process is to query the RTC to get the correct time and date. A little quartz clock like this might run for five to seven years off of a small battery. Then it is time to replace the battery.

Answer 2

Right u no the comp has chips inside well if you didn't, it does so the chip are mini circuits but tiny then coated in a hard heat resistant silicone when a certain circuit is made it makes a circuit called a decade counter the computer also has a battery and when you turn the computer of the time does not continue being calculated it thinks of how long the computer has last been in-active for (how long the computer has been switched off for) then when your operating system (windows, Linux, dos) starts the time inactive is added to the time switched off at thus the time is corrected but if you are connected to the Internet with a legitimate copy of windows xp the date and time will run directly of the windows website world time clock unless this feature has been disabled manually or automatically. (long, deep, much needed breaths)

Answer 3

Well actually in the older systems e.g. DOS ("bw" before windows) there was an actual battery which ran the clock when the computer was turned off. You would see the battery running down when your date and time started "screwing up", then the battery just had to be replaced.

Now with the Windows operating system, I am assuming there is some form of a battery built in somewhere, but I actually haven't had to locate it as yet, lol.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

There's a small "button" battery on the motherboard that runs a tiny clock, and remembers the computer's configuration (how fast is the CPU, how fast is the memory, what disk to boot from first, etc.)

If your computer stops keeping time each time you shut it down and turn it back on, you might need to have that battery replaced. They don't necessarily last forever, usually 5 years or so for modern computers. You can do it yourself if you are comfortable messing around inside the computer.

Answer 5

The CMOS in the MotherBoard is kept alive and ticking by the CMOS battery. It runs constantly whether the system is powered or not. If U change the CMOS battery you will usually have to reset teh clock. Sometimes the Mother Board will have enough charge in the capacitor to keep the clock running and save your settings while you change the battery, but you need to be prepared and minimize the amount of time the battery is out of the holder. Hope this helps,
-- Doc

Answer 6

There is a horde of tiny lepricons constantly running out the back of the computer vent and down the hall to the living room to view the wall clock and then back into the computer again, but if you have a cat or small child, the lepricon may be caught and either eaten or played with extensivly until he forgets the time and runs back into the computer again. So keep the wall clock accurate please, it stresses out the lepricon!

Answer 7

Your computer has a battery installed on the motherboard to power the clock when your computer is turned off. Yes, the battery can go dead, but only if your using your computer for around 5+ years.

Answer 8

There's a cr2032 battery (a big watch battery) on the mainboard, which powers the clock and the chip that saves bios settings. If you remove it and go drink a coffee the time date and bios settings/password will be reset when you come back. Only works when the PC is unplugged

Answer 9

The clock in the computer uses a coin cell battery. It powers the CMOS (short for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) when the computer is off. The CMOS keeps the time up and day to date in the BIOS (short for Basic Input Output System).

Hope this helps :-)

Answer 10

The computer has usually a watch style battery on the motherboard. If you would have a older computer the battery may be stuck in there but take it to geek squad and they be able to get it out. This battery uses a trickle of power so you may be able to get a few years out of it. The battery also keeps the BIOS settings (Stuff that makes your computer boot up) saved, so if the battery dies you may have to reset the settings every time you boot up the computer.