Post by: pauline on May 24, 2009, 10:06:12 AM
i get this message every time i switch on. the clock is actually displaying correct time and date. i have tried to reset the time on system pref but it makes no difference. any ideas how to get rid of this message. thanks in anticipation. pauline
Post by: kimmer on May 24, 2009, 10:51:31 AM
Post by: kbeartx on May 24, 2009, 01:30:00 PM
QUOTE(be gentle just learning @ May 24 2009, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
... the clock is actually displaying correct time and date...
Normally, I would also suspect the Mac's battery, but in light of Pauline's noting that the time and date ARE displaying correctly, I am suspicious that the source of this msg might be some corrupt prefs file somewhere.
Or maybe the msg is some programmer's inept way of calling attention to a battery that is on its last legs?
Pauline, I think you ought experiment by interrupting mains power to the Mac [not simply powering down, but turning off its power strip, or unplugging it from the A/C] for several hours, or overnight, and see if the clock display is accurate after that...
-if it now shows the wrong date and time, it IS a dead or dying battery.
-if the date and time display correctly after no connection to the mains for several hours, then the battery is OK and the msg source is something else.
Kb
Post by: pauline on May 24, 2009, 01:53:09 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 24, 2009, 03:05:38 PM
If you have selected a 'time server' to keep the clock accurate to within .9999999999987129995678%, and you are connecting to the interweb at startup (DSL/Cable), you'll probably never see the 'base' time because the System has already contacted the server and reset it. You might want to remember that these things are sometimes doing things behind our backs! 
Post by: pauline on May 25, 2009, 02:55:20 AM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ May 24 2009, 09:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
when the Mac first starts up, it probably reads something like Jan 1, 1904. Newer Macs may read the year as 1969.
does this mean i have an Edwardian Mac edition? just as i was about to post this message, the darn thing froze again 
(my favourite). it's all driving me crazy. Here are some pics of the date time pref. do they help with the time thing [attachment=1415:Picture_2.png][attachment=1416:Picture_4.png]
Pauline
Post by: pendragon on May 25, 2009, 07:00:46 AM
FWIW I: Many third party retailers, such as Radio Shack, offer a comparable product at a much lower cost than Apple.
FWIW II: The significance of March 24, 2001 can be found Here.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 25, 2009, 09:05:06 AM
QUOTE
do they help with the time thing
That first one shows the checkbox where you have your clock set to be automatically updated by a 'time server' (Apple Europe (time.euro.apple.com). That is probably the default set by the OS when it was first started by your dad. Most of us use that function just to keep the clock as accurate as possible. The only 'problem' is that we sometimes forget that the little PRAM battery does, eventually die. The usual indication of which is the wrong time/date. But if the Mac is on 24/7 (the normal power supply keeps the clock running along with everything else when the Mac is ON and also supplies a tiny trickle charge to the battery) or being updated by a time server, we'll not normally ever see that. 
It's not critical, but should be fixed and is easily done, even by your dad! 
Assuming he stops galavanting around Europe long enough! You can uncheck that box and turn the Mac off for a few minutes (over night might be more useful) and see if your time does, indeed, revert to a much earlier date. That will absolutely confirm the battery problem.
Post by: pauline on May 25, 2009, 12:02:10 PM
Post by: kimmer on May 25, 2009, 12:59:17 PM
QUOTE(be gentle just learning @ May 25 2009, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello daddy!!!
hehehe Have you ever watched What's Up, Doc? This is one of the lines in the movie and now I'll be giggling all day.
Post by: pauline on May 25, 2009, 02:24:21 PM
Post by: chriskleeman on May 25, 2009, 02:50:01 PM
I tried to post earlier but our server was doing some funny stuff, and no-one could post for a while...
I'm reasonably sure that the PRAM battery that your father is out shopping for will probably cure most, if not all your ills. Dead or dying PRAM batteries can be associated with a host of ills computer-related, including and not limited to among other things, system freezes!
So we'll all be waiting to hear you you've made out!
All the best,
Chris K
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 25, 2009, 06:22:10 PM
QUOTE("Chris K")
Dead or dying PRAM batteries can be associated with a host of ills computer-related, including and not limited to among other things, system freezes!
Hey! I wonder if I replace my PRAM battery, I can type with more fingers? 
Five, total (using both hands, but not counting the cats 'help') and counting (only need one hand to count that high, of course...)
Post by: chriskleeman on May 25, 2009, 06:38:22 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ May 25 2009, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE("Chris K")
Dead or dying PRAM batteries can be associated with a host of ills computer-related, including and not limited to among other things, system freezes!
Hey! I wonder if I replace my PRAM battery, I can type with more fingers? Five, total (using both hands, but not counting the cats 'help') and counting (only need one hand to count that high, of course...)My advice: train the cats, they'll type better 'n faster than you can!!!
CK
Post by: pauline on May 26, 2009, 01:43:20 PM
) but the same system clock alert comes up when i switch on.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 26, 2009, 02:36:43 PM
Also, check that the Mac "knows" where you are, in the world. It may thing it has moved back to its birthplace!
Post by: pauline on May 26, 2009, 03:55:33 PM
rechecked the box. fingers crossed
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 26, 2009, 04:52:36 PM
QUOTE
fingers crossed
U tipe farely wel four yewzing krossd feengurz! 
Post by: pauline on May 27, 2009, 01:09:41 PM
what else could the problem be?[attachment=1417:images.jpeg]
had help with the typing!! pauline
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 27, 2009, 05:13:46 PM
Bad charging circuit. With the Mac ON, there should be a low current DC voltage on the contacts.
Bad battery (they can get old/die just sitting on the dealers shelf). Check its voltage, under a load, if possible. If it's more than 1 volt low, ask for another. Take your meter with you to the shop and see what a 'new' one reads.
Bad plist (/System/Library/PreferencePanes). You can try renaming this, but the OS may not let you. If it does, it will probably want your login password (whether you ever use it or not).
Bad cacheTimeZones cache ( /System/Library/CoreServices). Probably best not to mess with this one...
Always a good trick is to look through the Crash logs. In your Utilities folder should be an app called Console. I think it's pronounced cun•sole, as it's meant to make you think you will find something in there that will help you find a problem process. Sometimes it does...I'd look at "system.log, /Library/Logs and ~/Library/Logs" at least, then "CrashReporter" (although this is not really a 'crash'). Look in the lists for anything even vaguely involved wit date/time. Report any findings in triplicate, pink to Admins, blue to your dad, gray for your own records.
Good luck, this message will self-destruct in 5 seconds...4...3...2...1
Post by: pauline on May 28, 2009, 02:39:30 PM
After much searching
this is the only entry i can find relevant to the date/time. the entry is in the system events log. is it relevant?Post by: krissel on May 29, 2009, 02:02:40 AM
When you say the clock doesn't keep correct time, exactly how off is it? By an hour, so many minutes, etc. If exactly a certain number of hours then it appears your location settings may be off as ABD explained. If it loses a few minutes or odd amounts, then it is possible you have a bad battery or it's not installed correctly. Are you sure it was put in with the + and - ends in the right place?. Could Dad have purchased from someplace that might have stuff sitting on the shelf for long periods of time?
Post by: pauline on May 29, 2009, 07:56:46 AM
i think this entry was the day after the battery was changed
[attachment=1419:Picture_4.png]
this entry appeared today.
the clock keeps in time if synchronizes with the interweb. if i uncheck the box and disconnect power then it loses time rapidly. i left it without power for 8 hrs and it slipped back into 1970! which was a good year for me, all that disco pop music and flared trousers!
i am fairly sure that george bought the battery from a reputable dealer and have double checked the installation.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 29, 2009, 10:27:34 AM
It sounds like it is definitely the battery, see below.I'm willing to bet the battery will show very little voltage, if any, after the machine has been off for some time. As soon as you turn it on, it will start powering the charger, so checking after a longer period of time may indicate some voltage. The reason for the low voltage (assuming that is the case) could be one of several reasons. My suspicion is that it was not charged enough when it was bought and it may not be able to be charged past that 'on-the-shelf' voltage. Ni-Cads are especially bad about doing that. The more costly reason could be that the internal power supply is not completely functional.
Either way, until the fix is in, you'll probably continue to get those warnings. I'll see if there is a way to make them go to George's Mac, instead of yours.