UKC

Hi All,

PC woes, in that when the PC is unplugged (eg overnight) it loses the date and time, and needs to be input on a DOS like screen at start up. When the PC is left plugged in it is all ok, and does not lose the date/time at all.

The PC is old, any ideas what the problem is.

Is it an easy fix ?

Thanks All.

There's usually a little battery on the motherboard, it's probably dead. Easy to spot/replace, usually one of those CR something types..

Yes, it's easy.

Open the case and change the coin cell battery CR2032  on the main board.  It just clips into a socket. 

Thanks for the prompt replies.

So, if i leave the PC unpugged for an extended period, say 1 month, without replacing said battery, would there be a risk of data loss at all ?

(I do regular back ups, but prefer the live data to be on the PC.)

It won't be a risk to your data, just an annoyance. 

Thank goodness, I'll do a full backup prior to leaving unplugged for a long period of course.

Thanks All 

There should be no problems as long as you remember to reset the date and time each time you switch it on, if you don't then any files created will have a date something like 01/01/1980, which, depending upon your backup software / system might cause some issues.

It's usually really easy to replace the battery though.