Old Mac OSX not storing date & time

[mikebatho]

A friend has an old imac, with an early version of OSX.

Every time she starts it up, she has to go into her settings & re-enter the date & time.

It keeps scooting back to 1970 when she switches off or reboots.

Any ideas?

 

[Queso]

Sounds like the little battery that stores the settings needs replacing. Is it a tray loading CD model or a slot loading?

Manual containing instructions for tray load model

(BTW, I hope you're not a Sharks fan. Booo!!! 😉)

 

[mikebatho]

Where would I get a battery? And are they expensive? Easy to fit?

Its slot loading......

 

[bartelby]

The battery goes on the Motherboard.
They're quite easy to replace and pretty cheap.

Opening the iMac is a little nerve wracking though.

 

[Queso]

They're more difficult to find than anything else. I had to pay £12 for one on Tottenham Court Road, but on the Internet you can get them for £5+P&P if you look around.

This is the type of battery you need and here's the case removal instructions. You only need to go to step 9 before reaching the battery and putting it back together. MAKE SURE YOU USE A MAGNETIC SCREWDRIVER!! I once did this to change the hard disk, dropped a screw from the shield into the iMac, and had to take the entire thing apart to get it back again. Took me the best part of an afternoon rather than under an hour.