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Author Topic: system clock  (Read 4772 times)

Offline pauline

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« on: May 24, 2009, 10:06:12 AM »
[attachment=1410:Picture_1.png]
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
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Offline kimmer

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« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2009, 10:51:31 AM »
Sounds like the computers battery is in need of replacing.
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Offline kbeartx

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« Reply #2 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 cool.gif
« Last Edit: May 25, 2009, 03:26:16 PM by kbeartx »
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Offline pauline

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« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2009, 01:53:09 PM »
thanks , i'll try switching off overnight and report back. pauline
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2009, 03:05:38 PM »
Before turning the Mac OFF for the night, check that you are not keeping the clock accurate by checking on any 'time server' while you may be connected to the interweb (Date & Time preference panel). That may be why the actual readout is correct but you are getting a warning because when the Mac first starts up, it probably reads something like Jan 1, 1904. Newer Macs may read the year as 1969. Either way, it indicates the PRAM battery is dead. When that happens, the clock reverts to the 'base' time set in the ROM. If it is the battery, it's fairly easy to fix, especially on a box with a big door! WOW.gif 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! eek2.gif laughhard.gif
« Last Edit: May 24, 2009, 03:06:39 PM by Xairbusdriver »
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Offline pauline

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« Reply #5 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.
WOW.gif  does this mean i have an Edwardian Mac edition? just as i was about to post this message, the darn thing froze again why-me.gif (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
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Offline pendragon

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« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2009, 07:00:46 AM »
Should you require a new battery (which I suspect), the correct part number can be found Here.

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.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2009, 10:51:29 AM by pendragon »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #7 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. wink.gif It's not critical, but should be fixed and is easily done, even by your dad! rofl.gif Assuming he stops galavanting around Europe long enough! laughhard.gif

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.
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
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Offline pauline

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« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2009, 12:02:10 PM »
yep that did it. unchecking the box slowed down the clock. my battery must be on its last legs. hello daddy!!!  wub.gif
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Offline kimmer

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« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2009, 12:59:17 PM »
QUOTE(be gentle just learning @ May 25 2009, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello daddy!!!  wub.gif

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. biggrin.gif
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Offline pauline

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« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2009, 02:24:21 PM »
thankyou everyone for your help. BTW george may be off line for a while, he's gone battery shopping whistling.gif
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Offline chriskleeman

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« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2009, 02:50:01 PM »
Hi Pauline,

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
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #12 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? dntknw.gif Five, total (using both hands, but not counting the cats 'help') and counting (only need one hand to count that high, of course...)
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:

Offline chriskleeman

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« Reply #13 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? dntknw.gif 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!!! laughhard.gif

CK scram.gif

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Offline pauline

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« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2009, 01:43:20 PM »
so now i have a new battery,(thankyou daddy thanx.gif ) but the same system clock alert comes up when i switch on.
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