[GLLUG] Strange clock behavior

[Chris Bell]

On Sunday, 30 December 2018 14:37:01 GMT Christopher Hunter via GLLUG wrote:
> On 30/12/2018 13:29, Alistair Mann via GLLUG wrote:
> > On 30/12/2018 12:51, Chris Bell via GLLUG wrote:
> >> Hello,
> >> I have a computer running fully updated KDE on Debian Stretch 24/7
> >> with top
> >> showing over 99% idle yet the onscreen clock is stopping at random
> >> for minutes
> >> at a time, with seconds sometimes jumping backwards and forwards. Is
> >> anyone
> >> else seeing this, or can anyone suggest the cause, (perhaps a failing
> >> BIOS
> >> battery)?
> > 
> > If you make use of the computer (eg, typing, surfing etc) does it
> > improve? If so my suspicion would include power-savingfeatures both of
> > the OS, and within BIOS/UEFI; if not then I'd stroke my beard at ntp.
> > 
> > Best wishes all
> 
> I had similar problems with an old laptop - that was a BIOS battery
> problem.  It used a 3.3V silver oxide "button" cell, which is virtually
> unavailable these days.  I ended up with a couple of small rechargeable
> (NiMH) cells and a simple charger circuit running from the 5V rail.  I
> had to add a Schottky diode in series with the battery to reduce the
> output voltage to the original 3.3V.  Every time the computer is turned
> on, the battery is recharged, and experience shows that without use, the
> cells remain charged enough to run the BIOS clock for about 3 months.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Chris

Thanks, that matches my suspicion, and this seems to be a good time to 
dismantle, clean, oil, and check.

-- 
Chris Bell
Website http://chrisbell.org.uk