[Pegasus1]

My iMac DVSE 400 has recently started to reset the time and date every time I turn it on. The date resets to 1/1/1904 and the time is always 12:00 AM. I tried uninstalling scanner software which I recently loaded as well as reinstalling the OS 9.2.2. system software but it still keeps resetting to the above date and time.

Any help at fixing this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[George Orville]

It looks like you need a new PRAM battery...............

[Pegasus1]

George,

Is the PRAM battery user replaceable and where would I be able to purchase one?

Pegasus1

[fisherKing]

u might try some other things first:
trash the date & time preference file,
zap the pram...

always worth exploring software fixes first!

good luck

[Camelot]

Reset date problems are almost always due to dead batteries. You can try zapping the PRAM (hold Command-Option-P-R as you turn the machine on) but I think a dead battery is the likeliest option.

The battery is user-replacable, and it's not that hard to do. You can get one at any computer store (even the non-Mac ones). If I remember rightly it uses a 3.6V "1/2AA" battery, but you'd be wise to pull your existing battery out and taking it to a store for matching, just in case. Any computer tech worth anything (i.e. not one at Fry's or CompUSA ) will recognize it and offer a replacement. Should cost about $10.

If you're really desperate, the Radio Shack part # is 23-026

[Pegasus1]

Thanks to everyone for all the help. I tried the trashing the Date & Time preferences as well as zapping the PRAM with no success. It appears that the PRAM battery is dead as was suggested. Does anyone know if there is any wriiten instuctions on how to disassemble an iMac to do a battery replacement?

Thanks again for the help!

Pegasus1