How to troubleshoot system clock problems in Windows ME.

The system clock is getting reset to January 20, 2042. It has happend twice in the past week. It will not reset by using the clock in the icon tray. I have to reset it in a command window like you use to do in DOS.

I have up to date anti-virus software and spyware. I have ran both and they find nothing.

Could the system clock be getting reset by a virus or do you think I have a hardware problem?

Any tips on trying to isolate my problem would be grreatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Lew

This question was answered on June 10, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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To resolve the issue, use one of the following methods:

Disable APM in the BIOS and configure Windows to manage APM For information about how to disable APM in the BIOS, please contact the manufacturer of your computer

To configure Windows to manage APM:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2 Double-click Power Management, select the settings you want for APM, and then click OK.

Disable the following types of programs and utilities:

• Anti-virus

• Screen savers

• System utilities

Configure your computer to start with a clean boot.

If your computer loses time, use the Date/Time tool to set the correct time:

1 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2 Double-click Date/Time.

3 On the Date & Time tab, configure the correct time, and then click OK.

To determine if the time loss is a result of a weak computer battery:

1 Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt

2 At the command prompt, type time, and then press ENTER

3 Compare this time with the time that is reported by the clock on the taskbar

4 Type exit, and then press ENTER

If the computer's time and the time on the clock are different, the computer's battery may be too weak to keep accurate time, and it should be replaced For information about how to replace the battery, refer to the documentation included with your computer.

GOOD LUCK!

About the author

Posted by Kisha of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on June 10, 2005

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