Windows XP thinks it's the year 1650 or 2100

I have an old, old, old IBM T series laptop with XP Pro. Every time I turn it on, it goes through some memory check (it checks all 400 or so MB of RAM) and then it brings me to the boot list (choices of Windows XP or "previous version on C . I tried messing with the BIOS settings (quick boot vs. diagnostic)... etc.. nothing worked. Any suggestions?

 

if your HDD is 0.4 GB than how big is your RAM ? I bet original OS for this laptop is not Win XP Pro but something much older

I am surprised to see that XP Pro even starts on this size of a HDD

 

It could be that the CMOS battery is about to die. If that's not the case, Windows XP allows you to sync up with a Microsoft time server, to keep things accurate. Check the Clock settings to make sure this option is turned on. The pic I attached shows what my settings are.

 

*he isn't saying his HDD is .4gb, hes saying he has 400mb of RAM.

yea, replace your CMOS battery and check your bios time again...is your bios time correct or is that wrong along with windows?

 

That's what some kid at school said, something about an internal battery being worn out. How exactly would I go about changing the CMOS battery?

The BIOS time is wrong, and since the computer is never connected to the internet, then the Windows time is also wrong. Windows won't update the time if the date is too far off (like 400 years, haha)...

So yea, how am I going to change the CMOS battery?

 

Typically the CMOS battery is a typical watch battery that you can find most anywhere. (Make sure you bring the old battery with you, so you can get the right size!)

You'll have to open up the laptop to access it-go to Lenovo's support site and look for your particular model's Owner's Manual. There, it should tell you how to access the CMOS battery.

Lenovo's Owner's Manual page

 

Thanks for the link, Levono/IBM really has some awesome service available online...

I looked up my laptop's manual... is it possible for this battery to be called the "back-up battery"? That's what the owner manual says.... otherwise I don't know how to find what I'm looking for.

The computer is a IBM Thinkpad R31 if anyone can find the right document. If the CMOS battery is also called the backup battery, then all should be okay.

 

Most likely-some manufacturers call the battery different things.-Do they give a description on what the "backup battery" does?

 

Yes it's also called a backup battery.

 

yep, backup battery is what it is. it keeps the things like system time alive while your computer is off.

however, if you see a "primary battery", it might be your CMOS battery too.

when you get in there, just make sure to change the one that is the size and shape of a nickle.

good luck!!