CMOS battery low?

I have a pc that gives a warning the cmos battery is low. But after looking at event viewer, it has been doing this for about 5 months. It is keeping time but everytime you reboot the date and time goes back to April 11. 2007 12:00am. I was about to replace the battery when I stopped and realized it was running vista and not old enough really for the battery to go bad. Do you think this is more of a virus issue?

 

The symptoms sure appear like a CMOS battery problem. For under $5, I'd just replace the battery and save myself the hassle of constantly resetting the date and time.

 

It is rare, but I have had bad brand new batteries. Since they are so inexpensive, you are out little if it proves not to be the problem.

You are selecting "Save and Exit" when exiting the BIOS, right?

 

I jumped the gun. After running two virus and spyware programs and removing about 500 bugs, it appears to be fixed. Go fig. thanks for your ideas.

 

Thanks for the followup but wow! 500? I think it is time to re-evaluate your security discipline. It is important to keep systems patched and updated with the latest security updates; scanned with real-time and updated anti-malware applications; and blocked behind a firewall, spam and popup blockers. The weakest link, each user, must scan all attachments and downloads before opening. And most importantly, the user(s) must avoid places badguys wallow in, and practices they cherish - including illegal porn and gambling sites, and participation in illegal filesharing of copyrighted songs, videos, and published writings over P2P networks.
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I can see malware messing with the date and time, but I find it hard to believe malware would report a CMOS battery low error. I would still replace the battery - as noted, they are inexpensive, and available at just about any battery/watch/camera counter. Be sure to power down AND unplug from the wall first, and be sure to touch bare metal of the case before reaching inside. Take the old battery with you as most places recycle. Do not touch the new one with bare skin, as skin oils attract dust and promote corrosion.

I would also check the power supply voltages to make sure they are stable and pretty close to +12.0VDC, +5.0VDC, and 3.3VDC.

 

Thanks Digerati, but it wasn't my pc. I have installed software. I don't know why peps think they can get away without protecting their pc's. But I am still working on this one. The bugs got to the drivers of the cd-rom. I've tried to reinstall them but I get a error message that says the min. requirements are not met. The system does not see the cd-rom. the device manager sees it, but says it's not working. and vista can't find a solution. any ideas?

 

I am amazed by that too.

Did you uninstall them first?

 

Jeez, 500 viruses?!:eek You sure they weren't just cookies as many security apps these days flag them as dangerous for marketing purposes. I'm sure that many would have brought your machine to its knees.

 

well, I just finished a system recovery on it.

 

And?

 

the cd-rom was bad, replaced it, and eveything else is happy now. Have returned to own and received my fee. thank you all for you help.

 

Thanks for the followup.