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When I started my MacBook today, it started to show my MacBook's time to 1 Jan 2001. But after I connect it to internet it goes back to normal? Why does it happen? Does anyone know any specific reason. I am on 10.6.2

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When you connect to the internet if set up in the Date/Time Preference Pane the computer will retrieve the time from a time server (in this case, most likely time.apple.com) and set it to the proper time. If the time is being reset to January 1st, 2001 you most likely have a dead PRAM/Clock/CMOS battery or something odd happening with your PRAM.

You can try resetting your PRAM but restarting and holding the Command-Option-P-R keys down until you hear the computer start up (the "bong" sound). If that fails to work you'll need to replace the battery which is easiest by taking it to a Apple Authorized Service Centre. These batteries normally last 7-10 years.

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By resting means it will set it to todays date? – itsaboutcode Dec 11 '09 at 11:39
@itsaboutcode: Reseting the PRAM may fix the issue of it not keeping the date, once the date is properly set again. Although more than likely the battery that keeps the internal clock going has died. – Chealion Dec 11 '09 at 18:28
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Most probably the cell that powers your MacBook's internal clock may have drained. When you connected to the internet, the operating system most probably updated the time using NTP.

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