Int 1Ah, 04h Read Real-Time Clock Date many
Reads the date from the computer's real-time clock.
Entry AH = 04h
Return CF Set if clock not operating; else cleared
CH = Century (19 or 20) (BCD)
CL = Year (BCD)
DH = Month (BCD)
DL = Day (BCD)
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All dates are in Binary Coded Decimal (BCD). For example, November
15, 1987 will be reported as CX = 1987; DX = 1115.
The real-time clock is the clock that runs even when the computer
is turned off. A CMOS battery is used so that, even while the
computer is off, the date, time, and alarm time are maintained.
This service is available only for ATs, XT-286s, and PC
Convertibles. Previous machines will report unpredictable results
(including the state of the Carry Flag).
The information returned from this service could differ from the
system date. This is because the real-time clock is read once upon
system startup, updating the system timer. All other references to
date use the system timer. If either the real-time clock date is
changed (via Service 05h) or the system timer is changed (via
Service 01h), the other date is not changed accordingly.
Even though the system uses the system timer for date information,
both the real-time clock and the system timer are updated
continuously.