PowerShot A3100 IS asking for date and time, unable to playback images

[mateomcalli]

I have had this PowerShot a3100 IS for around 9 months now, and it was working fine until one day I turned it on and it asked for the time and date. Since it forgot the time and date, the "preview photos" button (icon below) has also stopped working and I cannot view photos taken on the camera. I was wondering if there was any way to fix these issues, every time I turn on the camera it requires me to put in the time and date and I haven't found a way to view the photos taken on the camera without removing the SD card and exporting them. Thank you.
 

[normadel]

This is a fourteen year-old camera. It has an internal, not-replaceable, battery that maintains  the clock settings when the main battery is removed. Once the battery gives up the ghost (as yours has), you have to reset the date/time every time you turn the camera off and on. 

I don't know if previewing photos has any connection to the clock, or why it would. Perhaps your camera is just plain failing and it's time to replace it.

[kumarash2]

Does the lens extend when you power it on? Do the blades protecting the front element open full if it does?

Can you take a photo of the "4 bright dots" so we know exactly what it is you're seeing?

[kumarash2]

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@kumarash2 wrote:

Does the lens extend when you power it on? Do the blades protecting the front element open full if it does? https://routerlogin.uno/  

Can you take a photo of the "4 bright dots" so we know exactly what it is you're seeing?

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I got this,...

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Due to its age, it may very well be time to retire this camera.

You can remove the memory card and use a card reader to get your images.  As far as a permanent solution goes, replacement sounds like the best option as the cost to repair will likely exceed the cost to replace in this case.   

[p4pictures]

As others mentioned the camera has an internal battery to keep the time and date. It is designed to be recharged from the main battery so I would try putting the fully charged main battery for the camera inside and leaving it 24 hours to see if it tops up the time and date backup battery.