Permacomputing

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Computing to support life on Earth

Computing in the age of climate crisis is often wasteful and adds nothing useful to our real life communities. Here we try to find out how to change that.

Definition and purpose of permacomputing: http://viznut.fi/files/texts-en/permacomputing.html

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Old laptop clock resets (slrpnk.net)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi I'm have a 20 year old laptop and every time I turn it on it has reset the clock and date to 2001 or whatever and I have to set it again before I can do anything. I haven't used it that often in recent years. Is there some part i could replace to get this working.

Also in general, is there other maintenance I should do to keep it working?

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

There is generally a battery that powers the clock and keeps it running even when there is no external power to the system normally one of the larger coin shaped ones. It's non-rechargable as it lasts for a long time. It's being constantly drained but it's only the smallest trickle.

If you can get to the internals you should be able to find and replace it, it's pretty obvious when you know to look for it. While you are in there you can check for corrosion/damage to the traces and components, give things a dust. The biggest issue is probably going to be an old battery, 20 years ago they were rather primative and though generally more replaceable than modern builds, getting a replacement might be harder.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Thanks.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

just adding a note to this, not trying to steal the previous answer 🙂

try googling your laptop model and CMOS battery for images so you know what and where to look if you want to try replacing it. Some require dismantling of almost the entire laptop to find, so researching is recommended if you are not experienced with this type of work. There are also guides and manuals online on how to change it on some models.

Good luck! 🙂

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

Adding a note to a note, if there is corrosion, the battery is probably leaky and spilling its blood everywhere.

Corrosion is the byproduct of a chemical reaction. That reaction has probably consumed minor (/s) things like PCB traces and component pins so the need for a thorough inspection shouldn't be underrated.