BeckerTech,
Because you have presented a solution to your own problem which may be helpful to future searches, this question is now PAQed and your points have been refunded.
EE_AutoDeleter
Main Topics
Browse All TopicsHi
I have a technical question regarding the M41T93 Real time clock from ST Microelectronics. Let me describe the problem.
After setting up the chip, it keeps time, all is well. It is supposed to keep time when you remove the power unexpectedly, but it does not. If I probe on the crystal while there is battery backup, then the crystal keeps on oscillating, but it does not keep time. After the power comes back again, the flags register does not indicate a oscillator fail, thus the crystal did in fact keep on oscillating. But, even after clearing the Halt bit on start up, the time read is the time of power down.
In short, with battery backup, when power is removed unexpectedly, the oscillator keeps oscillating, but it does not keep time.
Note, I am not confusing this with the timestamp function. Even after I have cleared the Halt bit, the time which is actually supposed to run in the background of the chip, does not keep running.
What could be the problem? What am I missing?
Regards
This Question has been solved and asker verified All Experts Exchange premium technology solutions are available to subscription members.
Experts Exchange has been collecting answers to technology questions since 1996…3 million and counting! If you have a question, chances are we already have your answer.
If you can't find the exact answer you're looking for, ask our exclusive community of 50,000 experts. You’ll get a personalized answer from a trusted professional.
Thousands of free tech tips, tricks, how-to’s and tutorials are available in our peer reviewed articles section. See for yourself how smart our experts are, no login required.
Access the answers to your technology questions today.
30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.
Members of the expert community talk about why the experience at Experts Exchange is different than what you will find anywhere else.

Try it out and discover for yourself.
30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.
Join the community of experts here and help other tech pros by answering question in your area of expertise. You can earn FREE access to all Experts Exchange's premium features and resources.
Business Accounts
Answer for Membership
by: BeckerTechPosted on 2009-08-18 at 04:00:30ID: 25121795
Solution:
Add a pull up resister from the Enable line to the battery supply. This keeps the chip "unselected" during power down, becuase, in power down, the Micro, which does not have power, "pulls" the enable line low, which causes the M41T93 to be "selected", which prevents it keeping time correctly...
Regards