Acer forum: Acer Travelmate 240 wont keep the date and time if unplugged

I've been unemployed for 26 out of the last 36 months ( thanks Pres, stimulus is really working for me) so I tend to buy used and repair if needed. I've never worked on a laptop before as in disassemble, remove and/or replace parts, but I am just starting to study for my A+cert so I guess it will be good training. I got this unit free from a recycler and it looked in pretty good condition so I decided to do what it needed as it would help my studies I hope.

I have researched a little and that was the best reason I came up with as to why the date/time keeps reverting back to 1988. I am also thinking that the laptop (main) battery may not be holding a charge very long either.

I was just looking at it this afternoon to see how it came apart. I thought I had all the screws out but it wouldn't come apart from under the screen hinges. Not sure where to look for more screws as I can't see/find anymore on the back. Appears as if the whole back comes off as one piece, minus the memory and modem covers and battery.

Hoping to get ideas as to directions to take as far as repairs and test them against what I'm learning as diagnostic skills begin to take shape. I do appreciate your help and hope I don't wear out my welcome here. Thanks!

MANY articles and tips at the top.

RECENTLY ACQUIRED means just that. If a product didn't work, why not get a refund?

As to the battery, I can't find age or the Volts on the CMOS battery so while it's likely to be that, without those details it's a 50/50 chance.

Bob

Especially after it was me who sought it out after picking through a pile of them with this one being the most complete. Remember I got it from a recycler. E-waste it is called meaning electronic scrap.

I cant help myself. I always find myself trying, or at least wanting, to fix broken stuff up so it can be useful again.

Shows how it comes apart so I will replace the cmos battery just to learn how to. Also try to extract the wireless"board", for id purposes. Found manual on Acer europe site by accident. Now why would it be available in europe and not here??(dont really need to answer that)

Is the lack of details which means advice can be wrong. Free is fine but it changes the answers I would give.

1. I'd get out my Volt Meter before changing the battery.
2. Why pull the WIFI card?

I have for years just ID'd the laptop and off to the maker for the drivers.
Bob

Is it necessary to pull the wificard if I go with a pc card to do the same job or can it be left in there? Will it interfere if left in? As to changing the battery, I am looking at it as a learning experience. I will also get out my vom and investigate it at the same time.

Another issue is presenting itself as we type. I am noticing that the cursor is disappearing occasionally and when it does I can't type and need to relocate it to continue. Is this because I am not on a solid surface ( I have the laptop propped up on an ottoman) when typing? is this "cursor jump"?

I guess folk don't want to read such but if you place it on a soft surface a vent can be blocked and cause no end of troubles. Sorry to read that.
Bob

Like I said I'm just starting to get into this stuff and so not always sure just what might need to be known. I also did just that, downloaded all of the drivers that Acer had for this machine. After loading the xp that my local computer shop sold me for $5 (told that the licensing was in the machine not the disc) I then put all the drivers downloaded from Acer in. These are the ones I'm dealing with. Where did you see the one with the 2008 date?

All the 5 dollar XP's are cracked or pirated and you were ripped off.

I don't talk about them.
Bob

for the wireless security!! Would I still have the security problem even going to a pc card for wifi? Are the security options driven by the device or the software or the OS?

(As for the beds and cushions, I am well aware of the venting issue and have it sitting on a flat solid cover binder, which is what is actually sitting on the ottoman. Thanks for the heads up anyway.)

As for the "copy" of xp would I be able to upgrade it legally to vista or 7 or would I still have "problems" with it as the base of the upgrade?

Since the 5 buck XP is of unknown heritage, all bets are off.
Bob

When upgrading to a newer OS, does that overwrite the old OS or just add the newer info to it?

I can't tell what would happen. So far, without fail these are crack pirate copies so no one can tell what would happen.
Bob