board with no RTC

We have a 440gx based custom board.  I have learned that it does not
have a RTC. Has anyone had any success with a board without a RTC, or is
it even possible?  How much of a problem will this cause? =20

Should we get the board respun with a RTC?  We would prefer using a 2.4
kernel, but would certainly go to a 2.6 kernel if that made things
easier.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ed Goforth