Not French car but (sorta) related question...

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 20 Jul 2010, 09:54

Computer.

It's recently been losing track of the date/time at startup; you go through DOS Setup, save all preset values and exit, then it loads Win XP where the time/date may be manually corrected. After a "hot" restart it's usually good.

Doesn't drop the ball while running (well, rarely). I've changed the lithium battery on the main board to no avail.

Looking for suggestions as to pinpointing the dodgy parts.

Thanks, Adam.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 20 Jul 2010, 09:58

set your time sevice to use 0.uk.pool.ntp.org in the registry

when i get to a proper computer rather than my phone i'll post instructions

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 20 Jul 2010, 11:29

Assuming it loses time when left on:

Ok, start > run
Type in: regedit
Hit return
Drill down on the left to:
HKey_Local_Machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\W32Time\Parameters

Double click on NtpServer and replace what ever is in there (probably time.windows.com,0x9) with 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,0x1

Click OK

Double click Type and replace whatever is in there (probably NT5DS) with NTP

Click OK

Close regedit.

Click start > run
Type in cmd
Hit return
at the prompt type the following and press return

net stop w32time

then type the following and press return

net start w32time

It should pick up the new settings and keep itself in sync with the external time server.

If it loses time when turned off, it points to a duff battery or battery circuit.
The above may help but if the time falls behind too far it won't sync to let you know there is a problem.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 20 Jul 2010, 11:38

It loses the time/date when off. That's what got me; I replaced the battery but there was no change in what it did.

rabenson · Unread post by **rabenson** » 20 Jul 2010, 11:43

This might sound daft but try yet another battery - could be you've fitted a duff one.... As you pointed out it really sounds like a dead battery.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 20 Jul 2010, 15:34

Did you change any jumpers on the board, particularly the CMOS reset jumper? With a new battery, it simply should not reset.

HDI Dave · Unread post by **HDI Dave** » 20 Jul 2010, 19:46

rabenson wrote:This might sound daft but try yet another battery - could be you've fitted a duff one.... As you pointed out it really sounds like a dead battery.

X2, I've just had the exact same problem.

I've just refurbed an old junker from 6 pc's I have in the shed! from our upgrades and people donate them to me..it's become a bit of a self taught hobby

anyway:
Sorted 3 of these pc's so far, 3rd one was all going well,full dos format/partition jobby /win98 > XP Pro, full updates,SP3 etc and...
...same as yours,ie:

"It's recently been losing track of the date/time at startup; you go through DOS Setup, save all preset values and exit, then it loads Win XP where the time/date may be manually corrected. After a "hot" restart it's usually good.
Doesn't drop the ball while running etc"

Bummer, was thinking the pc was junk,(as I'm no expert),but it did say low cmos battery,I think...
Swapped 2 batteries...same result,lost time on each startup,great while running.

Last chance saloon,swapped another battery - fine for the last 3 weeks

( I must point out mine were all used batteries from old junkers, although they're all the exact same batteries ).

Oh, I also wiggled the battery on its contacts...probably did sod all...but it made me feel better lol.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 20 Jul 2010, 21:26

Just for reference, the Mk1 Xantia uses exactly the same coin batteries in the Plip that most motherboards use