What time is it?

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

Time for a bit of a reminder of what's on a standard x86 PC (and most others, for that matter).

Customer explains to me that her system clock is not holding time.  Known issue with the particular motherboard.  Previous tech notes: referred to feebased support, reason: clock not supported (OS issue).

I'm pretty sure there's been a RTC on every x86 system since the 8086.  I'm not sure.  I'm thinking this person might just be stuck back in time, or it might be time to consider a new line of work.  And yes, the clock is supported even by our rather cheap manufacturer.

Comments

[litch.livejournal.com]

actually with an older system I bet the MB cmos battery is dying and needs to be replaced

[greeklady.livejournal.com]

That was what I was going to say!!
That cracks me up though, "Clock not supported os." BWAHAHAHAHAA

[caitriona27.livejournal.com]

My thoughts exactly.. I surprised it hadn't gone earlier.

[dmsalem00.livejournal.com]

Referred customer to wal-mart electronic department for new Durabrand Clock/Radio upgrade.

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

This one wasn't the battery - it was known that its clock lost time (the system was also only a year old). Mind you there are some older boards from this company and one other that I'm aware of that had the CMOS batterires soldered into the sockets... those were real nice when those died :).

[geekgrrl-ca.livejournal.com]

I had that problem on one computer when it was on, when it was off it kept time... replaced the amd 133 processor with a intel 233mmx and it kept perfect time. go figure.

[klyf23.livejournal.com]

Or older motherboards with cheap nicads instead of a lithium battery.

Eventually those cheap nicads (that were soldered to the board) not only no longer held a charge, but leaked all over the m-board, as well.