It could be one of 2 things (other than what Juan said). The windows clock is separate from the System clock. When Windows boots, it gets the system time from the BIOS. The windows clock is then maintained by windows and theoretically should keep time with the BIOS clock. If Windows is being slow for whatever reason, the Windows clock will be behind the system clock. If the BIOS clock is slowing, BOTH clocks will run slow.

If you have an oldish computer (not a spring chicken anyway) then what you are experiencing is most likely the CMOS battery losing power (like any battery does) esp. as you say it has got worse. I would advise that you replace it now (having first been into the system's BIOS Setup and noted info on Boot order, HDD, FDD etc) before it goes completely.

You need the info to restore your BIOS to how it was. Windows will also have probably forgotten all your hardware, so they need to be re-installed. It's a lot of hassle but it's better than a dead computer

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by chrisjk (edited 02-01-2000).]