Windows Clock on Taskbar and in Date/Time Tool Loses Time

• When you use the Date/Time tool in Control Panel to select a different year, the clock may stop until you click Apply or OK and the clock does not compensate for the length of time it was stopped.
  or
• When you use the Date/Time tool to select a different month or date, the time may be decreased by 5-10 seconds.
  or
• When you leave your computer on for an extended amount of time, the time may lose from two minutes to an hour per day.IMPORTANT: The CMOS does keep the correct time and if you restart the computer, the Windows clock is updated. Also, if you start your computer in Safe Mode, Windows does not lose time.

NOTE: If either of the symptoms listed in this article occur, the Windows clock on the taskbar and in the Date/Time tool in Control Panel may experience a loss of time.

NOTE: To more effectively search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, use keywords that relate to your issue. If you are searching for troubleshooting information that is not mentioned in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base again by using keywords that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

This last symptom listed in this article can occur for either of the following reasons:

• Advanced Power Management (APM) settings are enabled in the BIOS.
• You configure your computer to use third-party anti-virus, system utility, and screen saver programs.

To resolve the issue for the last symptom listed in this article, use one of the following methods:

APM Settings

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 Third-Party Programs and Utilities

Disable the following types of programs and utilities:

• Anti-virus
• Screen savers
• System utilities

Clean Boot

Configure your computer to start with a clean boot. For additional information about configuring a clean boot, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

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.

NOTE: This problem does not affect the clock in your computer's CMOS.