220-1102 Question 590
Single answerTime driftA small office reports that one Windows 11 workstation loses several minutes every few days. Users notice they are prompted repeatedly for cloud app credentials, and secure websites occasionally show certificate date errors until the PC is restarted. The computer keeps the correct time only briefly after manual correction. Which action is the BEST next step to resolve the underlying issue?
- A
Replace the CMOS/RTC battery and then verify the system time and time synchronization settings
- B
Disable automatic time synchronization so users can manually set the clock when it drifts
- C
Clear the browser cache and cookies to remove the stored certificate warnings
- D
Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files that may be affecting the clock service
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
In A+ Core 2 troubleshooting scenarios, time drift should be evaluated for both software and hardware causes. When a system repeatedly loses time even after the user manually corrects it, especially over multiple restarts or power cycles, the best practice is to suspect the RTC/CMOS battery. An incorrect system clock can break Kerberos-related logons, cloud authentication tokens, scheduled tasks, and HTTPS certificate validation because many security mechanisms depend on accurate time. After replacing the CMOS battery, a technician should confirm the date/time in BIOS/UEFI and make sure Windows is configured to synchronize with a reliable time source such as the Windows Time service. Microsoft documentation and standard enterprise support practices both emphasize accurate system time as essential for authentication and certificate trust.
- A. Correct.
This is correct. Persistent clock drift that returns after manual correction, especially if it affects authentication and certificate validation, commonly points to a real-time clock (RTC) or CMOS battery issue on the motherboard. Replacing the battery is the appropriate hardware fix, and verifying the BIOS/UEFI time plus Windows time synchronization afterward helps ensure the system stays accurate.
- B. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Disabling automatic time synchronization would make the problem worse, not better. Windows time sync helps keep the clock aligned with a trusted time source. Manual correction may temporarily hide the symptom, but it does not address an RTC battery or hardware-related timekeeping problem.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Browser cache and cookies do not cause the system clock to drift. While users may see certificate warnings in the browser, those warnings can be a result of an incorrect system date and time. Clearing browser data treats a symptom the user sees, not the cause of the issue.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Temporary files and general disk maintenance do not affect motherboard timekeeping. Disk Cleanup is a plausible maintenance task, but it has no role in correcting repeated time drift caused by RTC hardware or low CMOS battery power.