Why can't my time settings keep up?
- Thread starter Rÿcher
- Start date
If you're using a Mac, open Date & Time (click on the clock, go down to the menu to Date & Time, and click again). Now check the box marked 'Set date & time automatically.' It's the only check box there. It sounds like your time zone is set, but if it isn't, use the drop-down menu next to 'Set date & time automatically' to choose your time zone. Close Date & Time, and you're set.
If you're on Windows or Linux, I'm sure a user of one of those systems will be along shortly. I'm not familiar with all but a few of Vista's procedures, and none of Linux's.
Good luck.
If you're on Windows or Linux, I'm sure a user of one of those systems will be along shortly. I'm not familiar with all but a few of Vista's procedures, and none of Linux's.
Good luck.
Your Windows desktop clock is a program. Like all programs it's dependant on your computer's resources to operate. Your computer prioritizes its resources. The clock? Not so high prioirty.
The system clock built into your computer's motherboard isn't dependant on your computer's resources and runs off its own and the Windows clock uses ITS time whenever the computer is powered up and runs from there.
The Windows system clock, IIRC, has a setting on it where it will auto-update every so often either off the system clock or a database over the internet.
If your Windows Clock is losing time it's because your system resources are too low. Either you're over extending your computer's resources by running too many programs or have too much spyware so your computer is struggling so much to keep everything running that it's gimping the clock.
The system clock built into your computer's motherboard isn't dependant on your computer's resources and runs off its own and the Windows clock uses ITS time whenever the computer is powered up and runs from there.
The Windows system clock, IIRC, has a setting on it where it will auto-update every so often either off the system clock or a database over the internet.
If your Windows Clock is losing time it's because your system resources are too low. Either you're over extending your computer's resources by running too many programs or have too much spyware so your computer is struggling so much to keep everything running that it's gimping the clock.
If you're using Linux (with GNOME), right-click on the Clock, select Adjust Date & Time, enter the root password (or, in some distros, your password), and at the Configuration box select from the drop-down menu 'Keep synchronised with internet servers'. (Note: this requires ntpd, which is probably installed, but can easily be installed with your package manager if it's not.)
This is true.
I'm pretty sure this is not. Your clock uses so little resources that not even a very bloated, bogged-down system will have any trouble keeping the clock up-to-date.
The motherboard clocks can also run slow. They're not designed as good time keepers like quality wrist watches are, so they normally do drift. It's possibly sign of a duff backup battery.
Mine is pretty good, drifting maybe 1 minute per month. To re-sync it, my computer can pull the precise date and time from BBC radio transmitters, through my TV/radio decoder card.
Mine is pretty good, drifting maybe 1 minute per month. To re-sync it, my computer can pull the precise date and time from BBC radio transmitters, through my TV/radio decoder card.
It *can* happen. But, admitidily, it requires a very bogged down system probably to the point that the clock is shuffled over to virtual memory.
It's more likely though, that it could be a low or even dead CMOS battery.
^
System clocks drift. It's a fact of life. It's nothing to do with any kind of CMOS/hardware malfunction, it just happens.
Most OS clocks ping a website and update their time daily (or even hourly). If the clock is off, than it's probably because it doesn't have this feature.
System clocks drift. It's a fact of life. It's nothing to do with any kind of CMOS/hardware malfunction, it just happens.
Most OS clocks ping a website and update their time daily (or even hourly). If the clock is off, than it's probably because it doesn't have this feature.
A windows PC actually has 2 clocks. One that is in the OS and is mode subject to drift due to resource utilization, etc, and the one built into the BIOS, which is usually as accurate as a cheap digital watch.
Windows gets the time from BIOS on boot, but then relies on its own internal timekeeping, which can cause issues likr the OP is experiencing.
One work-around for this is a program called "Dimension 4" from www.thinkman.com
It's free for non-commercial use, and can be set to check a internet time server someplace close by at regular intervals, and keep your windows and BIOS clocks set correctly.
Note that you need to exercise some care when selecting an appropriate internet time server. Some are open access, some are only by prior permission, and some will only allow a certain number of connections from an IP address in an hours time.
In most cases, checking every hour or two will keep you close enough for even the most rigorous government work.... unless you are a precision measuring equipment specialist or something. But if that were the case, you wouldn't need this software as you'd have your own traceable source someplace.
AG, former Army TMDE dude
Windows gets the time from BIOS on boot, but then relies on its own internal timekeeping, which can cause issues likr the OP is experiencing.
One work-around for this is a program called "Dimension 4" from www.thinkman.com
It's free for non-commercial use, and can be set to check a internet time server someplace close by at regular intervals, and keep your windows and BIOS clocks set correctly.
Note that you need to exercise some care when selecting an appropriate internet time server. Some are open access, some are only by prior permission, and some will only allow a certain number of connections from an IP address in an hours time.
In most cases, checking every hour or two will keep you close enough for even the most rigorous government work.... unless you are a precision measuring equipment specialist or something. But if that were the case, you wouldn't need this software as you'd have your own traceable source someplace.
AG, former Army TMDE dude
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