Surface Pro 3: Internal clock stops when the battery dies

Anonymous
2014-08-16T13:54:40+00:00

Is there a separate internal battery for the internal clock in the SP3 running Windows 8.1? When the unit runs out of battery power and I don't notice (for example, the battery completely drains while in standby) when I plug the unit back in the clock still reads from when I last used it rather than the current time.

Is that normal?

Thanks!

Carlos

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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Anonymous
2014-08-21T00:05:49+00:00

Hi Carlos & Woodg,

I appreciate your comments and I can certainly understand the confusion. Please let me clarify my previous comment:

The Surface Pro 3 includes built-in functionality to prevent incorrect system times when the main battery is depleted.  If the troubleshooting I provided on Aug 16, 2014 fails to address the system time inconsistencies, please reach out to our Surface Assisted Support.

Any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to visit the Community!

Best Wishes,

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Anonymous
2014-08-17T02:45:05+00:00

Hi Carlos,

On behalf of the Microsoft Community, we thank you for taking the time to reach out and consult this issue. I gather from your post that after an unexpected shutdown the clock on your Surface Pro 3 won’t update automatically as it should. This is indeed irregular behavior, and as such, I understand your concern. I will do my best to help and clarify your doubts!

Please check the following:

  • Do you have all and latest Windows updates installed? This is very important, Please verify you do.
  • Does a full shut down and start allow the clock to return to accurate local time?  Have you tried adjusting the time manually?
  • What happens if you do not set the time to set automatically?  Does your manual correction of the time stay set?
  • Swipe for Charms> Settings> Change PC settings> Time and language> Date and time> Set time automatically> Off
  • Do you use any other Windows 8.x devices with the Microsoft account associated to Surface?
  • Try un-syncing the OneDrive settings: Swipe for Charms> Settings> Change PC settings> OneDrive> Sync settings> Sync your settings on this PC> Off

Additionally, please make sure that you have checked the box next to: "Synchronize with an Internet time server". Here is how:

  1. From the Desktop menu select the time and date at the bottom right corner.
  2. Tap on Change date and time settings...
  3. Select the "Internet Time" tab.
  4. Select Change Settings.
  5. Check the box next to "Synchronize with an Internet time server".
  6. Select Update now.
  7. Then select OK and OK.
  8. You can also try a different server by synchronizing it with the time.nist.gov server (instead of time.windows.com) and then select****Update now.
  • As a last step, try holding down the "Volume UP" and the "Power Button" at the same time for about 15 to 20 seconds.  It should do a reboot and if no activity, release and 'click' the power button one time.

If the issue persists after the previous steps, please consider performing a Refresh as shown in the article below:

We hope these steps prove useful! Keep us posted!

We are always here to help!

Best Wishes,

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-20T04:32:59+00:00

    I think we need some clarification here. I understand there is no internalreplaceable battery, but does the SP3 have a non-replaceable internal battery? I find it unusual for a device such as the SP3 not to have a small internal battery (replaceable or not) just to keep the clock going when the main battery is empty.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-20T13:11:27+00:00

    That was my thought as well! However, I can't find anything in the spec or any information on line that points to an internal battery. When I called support they said there was no internal battery, but I was hoping for confirmation.

    Based on the behavior I have seen when the main battery runs out of juice, I think the SP3 does not have an internal battery specific to its clock. I am easily convinced otherwise. :)

    Carlos

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-21T02:25:23+00:00

    Mar T,

    While I appreciate your answers the one thing you have not clearly stated is that there is no internal battery for the clock. I'm good with there not being an internal battery, but it is something that should be explicit so as to minimize the surprise when the clock time does not match up with the time you are expecting.

    Yes, there is an internal battery. That is the one that powers the SP3.

    No, there is no internal clock battery (at least that is what I am understanding reading between your lines). The system clock relies on the internal battery of the SP3. The fact that there is internal functionality to prevent incorrect system times doesn't change that and means that on occasion the clock has to manually corrected.

    With all that said, I really like my SP3. All I wanted was to have confirmation that there was no internal system clock battery. The 2 times that the clock was wrong seemed weird given standard PC behavior.

    Thank you for taking the time to discuss this! :)

    Carlos

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