Clock on Taskbar and in Date/Time Tool Loses Time

ID: Q189706

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

The clock on the taskbar and in the Date/Time tool in Control Panel may experience a loss of time.

CAUSE

This problem can occur for either of the following reasons:

You change the year in the Date/Time tool. When you click a different year in the Date/Time Properties dialog box, the clock stops. When you click Apply or OK, the clock starts again, but it does not compensate for the length of time it was stopped.

You change the month or date in the Date/Time tool. When you click a different month or date in the Date/Time Properties dialog box, the current time is decreased by 5 to 10 seconds. Over time, this can result in a significant time loss.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use the Date/Time tool to set the correct time. For information about how to do so, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, and then type clock. In Windows 95, double-click the "Changing Your Computer's Time" topic. In Windows 98, double-click the "Clock Settings" topic, and then double-click the "To Change Your Computer's Time" topic.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98.

MORE INFORMATION

To determine if the time loss is a result of a weak computer battery, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.

At the command prompt, type time, and then press ENTER.

Compare this time with the time reported by the clock on the taskbar.

Type exit, and then press ENTER.

If the computer's time and time on the clock are different, your computer's battery may be too weak to keep accurate time, and it should be replaced. For information about how to replace your computer's battery, refer to the documentation included with your computer.

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

Additional query words: systray system tray time bios


Keywords          : kbtool win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 3, 1999