Find out why your computer's time and date keep resetting

Q I have a rather old computer running Windows 98SE. It’s a Gateway 650 and I reckon it’s about 10 years old. Recently, each time I turn it on the computer tells me that the date is 01/01/1990 and that the time is 12:01am.

There is no apparent reason for this and I have to reset the date and time manually every time. The computer is not connected to the internet and I have not added any programs or interfered with it in any way. Could you suggest a solution?
P Steed

A Yes. PCs rely on a small internal battery to keep time when the mains power is off and, after 10 or more years, the cell in your computer has clearly run out of juice. Frankly, it’s done well to have lasted this long.

The only solution – other than manually correcting the time, as you are currently doing – is to replace the battery. You will find this cell on the computer’s motherboard and usually, the job isn’t usually terribly difficult.

However, given the age of the computer and lack of information about its specifications, we can’t say where the battery is precisely or how easy it will be to access.

Use a Philips screwdriver to open up and carefully remove the PC’s case. Peer inside and scrutinise the motherboard for a disc-shaped battery, about the size of a 10 pence piece. Typically, this will be a CR2032 cell but again, it’s not possible to be entirely sure here. Remove the retaining clip and the battery should pop out easily. Now buy and fit a replacement cell (these cost a couple of pounds at online shops such as Maplin.co.uk).

Also, as ever we advise buying and wearing a cheap antistatic wrist strap before venturing inside your PC, though you may feel less cautious with such an old computer.