For all PC buffs. Why did this happen?

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 08:44

For the last month I had been unable to access Skype or my e-mails on the main PC. Yesterday I noticed the time was wrong so went to control panel to reset it.



I then noticed that the date had changed to 2099! Why would this happen and what can I do to prevent it happening again. Thanks in advance.



Chris

dataman


Joined: 14/06/2010
Posts: 61

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 09:07

Sounds like you have a virus

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 09:17

Chris, there is a possibility that your CMOS battery needs to be replaced.

It doesn't become obvious if you leave the computer on or on standby but if you switch off the power supply by choice or by power cut the system requires the battery to be there to keep the basic system information up to date. If the battery is flat then you will lose the information when there is no power.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 12:06

Message 3,



Thanks for that it is as clear as mud, I now SFA about computers so makes no sense. Didn't think it was a virus as I managed to fix it and yes the computer was on standby when it seemed to happen.



Where is this battery located Paul and how easy to replace? Thanks



Chris

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 12:10

It is situated on the motherboard Chris, If you unplug all the power supply and open up your computer you will see hopefully somewhere on the main electronics board what looks like an oversized watch battery or something between a 5 and 10 pence piece.

hopefully you will be able to read the info on th battery and find another one in a computer shop somewhere to be able to replace it.

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 12:28

Chris,have you downloaded the latest version of skype?

I've noticed lots of things go missing,contacts disappear and settings seem to change of their own accord until I download the latest version and then everything goes back to normal.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 12:37

Hi gooligan, that happens to me also, If thats the answer i will download the latest version. Thank you x

tonyf


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 153

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 14:48

Hi

Definitely the CMOS battery on the motherboard. Happended to me on my UK computer when i came back from TRNC after 3 weeks. Reset all dates and times and replace the battery as mentioned above, 5 minute job batteries providing fairly recent computer fairly standard

tonyf


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 153

Message Posted:
22/08/2010 14:50

Forgot to mention that when it is really flat you can start to loose simple drivers like wireless mouse and keyboard, which are built into CMOS memory, again happened on mine until I replaced battery