Problems with old Pentium class computer

[Swanny]

Hello all,

I was just over at my local library looking at one of their computers for them. It is an old Pentium class computer used for checking books in and out. The problem is that it won't keep time correctly. It changes dates and time. It does this even when it's on.

My initial thought was a BIOS battery, but would that be the case if it keeps losing time even when the system has power?

EDIT: The next problem is that it doesn't have a battery per say, but a clock module. It's a Dallas DS12887. The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-586ATE. It seems to me that the module is soldered on, but that goes against what I've been reading. What's the proper procedure for swapping out a clock module? BTW, I'd look in the mobo manual, but it's nowhere to be found on the internet.



Thanks,
Swan

 

[Matthias99]

That would be my first thought as well. Yes, it can cause issues with the internal clock even if the system is powered on. In any case, it's a cheap and easy thing to try first...

You can also get software that will resync the clock with a network time server every five minutes or whatever. Just be sure you get one that's not totally filled with spyware.

 

[So]

See what Matthias said. Best bet, if you can do it, (assuming it's running windows 95 or +) is to get internet time synch software.

 

[Swanny]

Originally posted by: So
See what Matthias said. Best bet, if you can do it, (assuming it's running windows 95 or +) is to get internet time synch software.

Of course, the system is running DOS and Novell

That bring me to my next question. Please see the edit in the original post.