When using Internet Explorer with your homepage set to Google or Yahoo, particularly using IE7 or IE8 on Windows XP, you may receive the message: “The security certificate presented by this website has expired or is not yet valid.”

You may also receive and odd message from Google Chrome (certificate problems), such as “SSL Error: Cannot connect to the real www.google.com. Something is currently interfering with your secure connection to www.google.com.”

If your system battery that is installed on your motherboard has lost its charge (is dead), then your system time and date may have reverted to some date like January 1, 2002 at 1:00:00 AM when you either unplugged your PC from the AC power or there was a power outage on the premises.  Consequently, the SSL security certificate from Google or Yahoo is considered by your browser as being NOT YET VALID because the certificate contains a date that is far in the future as compared to your “non-current” system date.

MOST PROBABLE SOLUTION:  Open the clock and calendar in your system tray and properly set the date and time.  Close your web browser and re-open it (launch it).  Check if your web browsers will now display HTTPS:// pages like Google and Yahoo.  If they do, then you need to replace your drained system battery with a new battery.  Shut your system down, open the tower case, remove the little system battery (tiny disk-like metal battery about the size of a nickel) and go find a battery replacement with the same model number at Walgreens, CVS or your local electronics or battery store.

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