Today I logged on to my laptop as normal and noticed that the time was innacurate by about half an hour.

I clicked on the time in the corner and then 'Internet Time' update now button to re-synchronize but I got an error message and now my time won't re-allign itself.

Any ideas folks?

Hi ,

Innaccurate time display is normally a sign of CMOS battery faliure , the small 3v lithium battery that is required to boot the CMOS sequence to BIOS . You could firstly try resetting the time display in your BIOS and monitoring the time display but as a definite safegaurd I'd go and buy a new CMOS battery . Avaliable from most electrical store outlets for 2 or 3 pounds . A fresh battery install requires that you firstly reset the time and boot sequence in the BIOS before booting into the OS .

Are you referring to internet synchronization over the internet? I have never been able to get that to work so I don't know how to help you with that. The CMOS battery is worth looking into. Especially if the computer is 4-5 years old or if upon setting it right, turning the computer off for a while [like overnight], and then turning it back on to discover that it has changed again. Even if you are able to get the synchronization to work if the CMOS battery is dead you will have to reset the time every time you leave your computer off for a while.

If referring to internet time sync this is found in :

Start > Control Panel > Date and Time > Internet Time

Apparrently " time.windows.com " , the default internet time sync server is totally unreliable and therefore causes problems , many of which you see in Event Viewer . I personally have the service disabled and this causes no problems . If you want to use Internet Time Synchronization here's a handy little link that provides time sync servers within various locales able to provide more concise synchronization than windows default settings .

How to fix Internet time sync

Thanks so much for your replies guys but please excuse my ignorance - where would I locate the CMOS battery on my laptop? It's an Acer Ferrari 4005.

Hi ,

The CMOS battery is found in a conductive clip on the motherboard . I've not had much practical experience of disassembling laptops but access to the motherboard is usually gained via removal of the laptops back casing . When I disassembled my IBM Thinkpad I merely removed the casing and various covers in a methodical way , keeping all components together for reassembly . If you've no practical experience of dissassembling laptops rather than risk breaking the laptop and rendering it unusable I'd suggest letting a trained technician do it for you . Obviously prices vary for repairs at different shops .