#Internal Clock is DEAD
21 messages in this thread
I was wondering if anyone can help me with a small problem.
It seems that the clock in my A501 memory expansion has gone bye, bye.
Whenever I try to load, or save the time, I get the message "Battery Backed
up Clock not found". I still have the 1Meg of memory, but no clock.
I use the computer on a daily basis, so I know that the battery has the
chance to charge. Is there any way to just fix the clock, or is the whole
unit shot. I took a look at it, and it looks like when they made it, they
didn't want anyone opening it.
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Chris
P.S. I got the A501 at the same time as the computer, about 4 1/2 yrs
ago.
I don't think the 501 has a rechargeable battery, but I don't think the
battery is your problem. From CLI, type SETCLOCK RESET. That should take
care of it.
Craig
OK,
I tried it, but I got the same message. The A501 does have a rechargeable
battery.
Any other hints?
Chris,
It may have changed, but the A501 didn't have a rechargeable
battery.
Don't use the 1.3 version of setclock, that won't work. Use either
the 1.2 version or the 1.3.2, or 2.04 version of setclock to do the reset.
Once you do that, you then need to set the clock (after you've set the
Amiga's time via preferences) via the setclock SAVE option.
Don
Don,
I was using the 1.3 version of setclock. It will take some work to get my
1.2 disks out of where I have them stored.
Thanks for the info.
Chris
Chris,
In LIB 14 here, is a file WB132.ZOO that is the official 1.3.2
update from Commodore. The version of SetClock in it works properly.
You'll need ZOO in order to extract the files.
Don
Chris,
Try the "Setclock Reset" command from the CLI.
Good luck.
Dom Fontana
Tried it, no good, same error message.
Next!
Chris,
Sorry, then I don't know what's wrong with your clock. It sounds like you
should bring it in for service.
Dom Fontana
Chris,
I had the same problem so I opened up the 501 case. The battery is not
expected to be changed. (The new M501 has a replaceable battery.) I set the
clock and left the computer on for 6 hours. That did the trick. Try that is
SetClock Reset does'nt work. Rechargeable batteries develope a memory after
awhile, perhaps thats the problem. I've noticed it with battery powered
tools in my business.
Vic.
Vic,
I tried the 'setclock reset', but I got the same error message. Maybe
you could explain what you did to fix your problem. I'm alittle vague with
how you fixed it.
I know that rechargable batteries have a memory, but the standard
solution is to leave the unit on for 12 hours to completely drain the
battery, then charge for 12 to 14 hours. I don't know how to drain the
A501's battery. I had to leave my computer in storage from mid 89 to mid
90, and when I booted it up, it knew the time exactly.
Now what?
Chris……
Chris,
Which versioin of SETCLOCK are you using? The version that came with 1.3
Enhancer kits did not work. The version from 1.2 will work, as will the
one in 1.3.2, but there was a problem with the one in the straight 1.3 – it
didn't reset.
Betty
Betty,
I am using the one that came with the 1.3 Enhancer Kit. I have 1.2
somewhere, but it won't be that easy to get to. It's in the computers box,
and the box is stored at a friends house, about an hours drive on a good
day.
Thank you for the info though, I'll see what I can do to get my 1.2 disks
back.
Chris…..
Chris –
If you don't have 1.2 really available, then you can down load version
1.3.1 update from the forums here on CIS.
There is a new setclock in that file.
– Roy Pahnke – Casper, Wyomin'
Maybe you could get the 1.3.2 update from someone around you. It fixed the
bug, and I think it will do the job for you.
Betty
Betty,
I downloaded the 1.3.2 update, and the new setclock did fix the problem. I
just wish I knew how it got screwed up in the first place. I've never had
this kind of problem before.
Thank you for all your help, it was greatly appreciated.
Chris.
I had the same probs with my amiga 500 after trying a program called unset
clock. This little proggy was unintentialy run after its download and
actualy caused the clock to screw up. Unfortunately, I didn`t know what had
happened at the time and suspected a faulty expansion/clock problem. I even
got to the point of taking the board out to insect it. After a frantic
telephone call to the manufacturers I was told I would have to return it. I
was not pleased. I decided to investigate further and found that the
battery read the correct voltage. I had been informed there is a `bit` that
occasionaly gets `set` when some obscure or wayward programing is run. I
decided to check what my proggy. `Unset clock` did and found it did just
that. I then at least didn`t get that confounded dreaded message `battery
clock not found` or whatever it said. After reseting the time via the cli
everything worked fine, but I still find, very rarely, there are a few
proggs.(usualy freeware) that cause it too in effect dissappear.
– via Whap!
Chris,
I'm a little vague too. All I did was leave the computer on for a long
time. I got tired of the "not found" message and that was all i could think
of to do. As I said, I opened the sucker up (had to cut a tab) and the
battery inside doesn't look replacable. M501's are pretty cheap and have
removable batteries. Perhaps thats the least agravating solution.
Vic.
Thanks,
I got a version of setclock that worked. Everything works fine now.
Chris
Chris,
There is a file in the libs called `CallBack2Life' (don't remeber the
archive name) but a search with the keyword clock ought to find it, that
will reset a dead clock. Don't know how it will operate with battery
problems, but some system crashes will completely scramble the clock and
this program works well.
..Steve
Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
There is also a program called fixclock which solved the problem you
described in my 500. If you can't find it let me know and I will uload it.
If I still have it.