Windows 7: Clock has Reset

mervyn100 · 29 May 2014

I recently logged on to my PC, which runs windows 7, and noticed the time and date in the bottom right hand corner had rest itself to 0:00 hours and 01/01/2005. Also, when I tried the internet it would not work and a windows message appeared saying there was a problem with internet security. I wondered if it had picked up a virus soI tried the following:-A system restore to a previous date but this did not work A full scan using my McAfee Anti-Virus which did not find anythingA full clean up using CC cleaner which has not resolved anything.I am unsure what else to try.Thanks

MilesAhead · 29 May 2014

Are you able to manually set the time and date to current? One thing you can do is go to Control Panel, Services and disable the Windows Time Service. See if the clock will then hold the correct info.

If you still can't get online I'd try to get MBAM from someone and scan with it.

Indianatone · 29 May 2014

Another possibility is the 3V battery on the motherboard has failed meaning the bios including clock date and time settings will be forgotten. It is usually a CR2032. You can replace this yourself. Get a battery from Boots or Halfords etc. Wrong date and time will trigger all kinds of malware warnings.
How to replace a CMOS battery. | Dell US

Britton30 · 29 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by Indianatone

Another possibility is the 3V battery on the motherboard has failed meaning the bios including clock date and time settings will be forgotten. It is usually a CR2032. You can replace this yourself. Get a battery from Boots or Halfords etc. Wrong date and time will trigger all kinds of malware warnings.
How to replace a CMOS battery. | Dell US

This is very true. Most all applications depend on a current date, such as AVs which should give you a warning definitions are out of date, but won't update due to the wrong time. This can happen if a PC has not been powered up for an extended time.

Click on the time in the tray then Change Date and Time Settings. In the next window click Change settings, then Update Now. If it fails, use the drop down menu and change the Time Server and try again. Make sure the box is check to update from an internet time server.

Layback Bear · 29 May 2014

Sometimes when in the section that Britton has got you to.
You will have to change the time and date manually and then use the auto update time.
If your time and date on your computer are way off the auto update will sometimes not work.

Britton30 · 29 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by Layback Bear

Sometimes when in the section that Britton has got you to.
You will have to change the time and date manually and then use the auto update time.
If your time and date on your computer are way off the auto update will sometimes not work.

Oops, that's very true, get the right date and a couple of hours close on the time, then it should work.

mervyn100 · 29 May 2014

Thanks for the replies.

However, I think I am more concerned I may have a virus problem. I have ran the anti-malware suggested and it still won't let me on the internet?

bigmck · 29 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by mervyn100

Thanks for the replies.

However, I think I am more concerned I may have a virus problem. I have ran the anti-malware suggested and it still won't let me on the internet?

What type of internet do you have? Is it wireless, cable, dial-up? == When you ran your anti-virus, what were the results? The posts above about a dead battery, do sound correct to me. If your anti-virus scan comes up OK, you should change the battery, then we can work on your internet connection.

Indianatone · 29 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by mervyn100

Thanks for the replies.

However, I think I am more concerned I may have a virus problem. I have ran the anti-malware suggested and it still won't let me on the internet?

Is the PC remembering the time and date if you power it off and unplug the AC mains from the tower for 5 mins or so? If not before you do anything else replace the battery as I explained. That will make all the other errors go away. Reset the time and date in the bios by pressing F2 (usually on a Dell) or set it in Windows and then reboot.

Britton30 · 29 May 2014

But, have you reset the time?