Clock lags when using Vista

[Guest]

Hi,

I've scoured the community and the web for a similar problem description,
and I've found a few but nowhere have I seen any solutions.

My problem is shortly that my system clock loses time when using Vista
Ultimate 32-bit (with English and Finnish MUIs). The loss is several minutes
per hour, probably somewhere in the order of 45 minutes/24h.

I have tried synchronizing my clock to all the different time servers
provided for in the date/time dialog as well as currently a pool.ntp.org
server. This makes no difference - the time loss remains constant. I've also
tried stopping, unregistering, registering and then starting the time server
manually all to no avail. The clock does resynchronize, but still keeps
losing time.

I've also gone through the running processes but can see no suspicious
programs that could be at fault and neither can Windows Defender. I've also
been extremely careful with installing any third-party software so I'm
practically certain the loss of time is not the result of a malware program
nor a virus. I've been using the free AVG Anti-Virus software as there are
very few of them yet available for Vista, but even uninstalling the AV
software didn't help with the loss of time problem.

The time loss only occurs when my computer is on, so I am fairly sure the
problem is not with my motherboard's CMOS battery. My machine is brand new,
so there's that as well. And when I've kept my computer off for longer
periods the clock keeps excellent time.

I'm running a desktop system with the following specs:
-Intel Core 2 Duo processor
-abit AB9 Pro motherboard (Intel P965 chipset)
-Asus VGA EN7950GT graphics card
-4GB of Transcend 533MHz DDR2 RAM
-3 Seagate Barracuda 320GB SATA-II drives (no RAID set-up)

I'd be happy to provide more information to solve the problem as it's
driving me a bit crazy at the moment For the time being I've circumvented
the problem by changing the syncing interval to fifteen minutes, but I'd be
more than interested to know what's actually causing the lag and if there are
other consequences as well.

Kind regards,
Eetu with Vista

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Have you tried turning off the Synch facility on the Internet TAB of
the Adjust Time and Date module -- ie uncheck the box on the TAB where
you choose the clock?

I ask this because at one time there was a bug in VP where setting this
option to ON caused time errors!

You aren't alone since there's a similar query in the Compuserve LAPTOP
Forum ....

 

[Guest]

Have you tried turning off the Synch facility on the Internet TAB of
the Adjust Time and Date module -- ie uncheck the box on the TAB where
you choose the clock?

Yes, I've tried that a number of times, even so that I've first synched to a
time server and then turned the Synch facility off (I've tried this with each
of the default time servers as well as the pool.ntp.org server I mentioned
previously). I've also tried turning Synch off and then rebooting a couple of
times, but even that doesn't seem to make a difference.

You aren't alone since there's a similar query in the Compuserve LAPTOP
Forum ....

Thanks for the heads-up, glad to know I'm not alone in this!

Hmm, Laptop Forum... This might have something to do with the power
management settings as I also have a problem with the new hybrid sleep state:
my computer doesn't seem to go to full sleep as the fans remain on even
though the machine otherwise seems to power itself down. Also I'm unable to
wake it up save for turning the power completely off and then back on again.
My BIOS has S3 enabled as it should, no?

 

[Guest]

An update to my situation:

The clock lagging problem is definitely related to the power management
options and the new hybrid sleep state. The only way I can stop my clock from
lagging is if I put my computer to Deep Sleep. When I try to resume from
Sleep the computer doesn't come back 100% - the monitor stays completely
black and can't find a signal. So I have to do a hard boot - power down and
up again.

After this the clock keeps impeccable time until the next reboot or power
down. After that, the lag reappears. The problem remains. I've most likely
isolated the synchronization as a cause of the lag, though. Numerous reboots,
power downs and such have pretty much convinced me that the problem lies
elsewhere.

Ideas, similar experiences, anyone?

 

[Guest]

An update to my situation:

The clock lagging problem is definitely related to the power management
options and the new hybrid sleep state. The only way I can stop my clock from
lagging is if I put my computer to Deep Sleep. When I try to resume from
Sleep the computer doesn't come back 100% - the monitor stays completely
black and can't find a signal. So I have to do a hard boot - power down and
up again.

After this the clock keeps impeccable time until the next reboot or power
down. After that, the lag reappears. The problem remains. I've most likely
isolated the synchronization as a cause of the lag, though. Numerous reboots,
power downs and such have pretty much convinced me that the problem lies
elsewhere.

Ideas, similar experiences, anyone?

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Here's a link to the thread in Compuserve's Laptop Forum:

http://community.compuserve.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?
tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ws-laptop&tid=79864

If that multiline URL does not work for you try clicking on the second
line and if that does not work then paste the two halves into the
address box.

You don't have to be a member of Compuserve any more and I think as a
guest you can browse and read but to post you have to log in with an
AIM name which you can get for nothing and set a password.

You'll see one of my colleagues saying I'm out of date with the Synch
thought but I believe in eliminating things rather than in believing
they've fixed them! <g>

I see a question from Jerry about whether this is happening under
battery power and a link to:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windows.vista.performan
ce_maintenance/browse_frm/thread/4de8cdc495f0cc1e/f3d78c344dbaab98?
lnk=st&q=slow+clock+vista+&rnum=1#f3d78c344dbaab98

[Same instruction if the URL doesn't work .... ]

which indicates things going wrong when hibernating.

BTW Have you checked for BIOS updates for the mobo:

http://www.abit-usa.com/downloads/bios/search_bios.php?keyword=AB9+Pro

If you solve it do please let us know!

 

[Bill Marriott]

This is why God made tinyURL.com

 

[Guest]

Here's a link to the thread in Compuserve's Laptop Forum:

http://community.compuserve.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?
tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ws-laptop&tid=79864

I found this thread on my own and went through it but I didn't find any
applicable solutions or suggestions that I haven't already tried. Still the
best thread I've found on the subject, which is not necessarily flattering..

I see a question from Jerry about whether this is happening under
battery power and a link to:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windows.vista.performan
ce_maintenance/browse_frm/thread/4de8cdc495f0cc1e/f3d78c344dbaab98?
lnk=st&q=slow+clock+vista+&rnum=1#f3d78c344dbaab98

which indicates things going wrong when hibernating.

I experimented some more, and I found that the problem relates to the new
Hybrid Sleep and Sleep modes - in my case Hibernate works like a charm,
though the clock lag remains a constant.

When using the two Sleep modes my computer goes to sleep as it's supposed
to, but when I try to wake it up yhe monitor doesn't find a signal (see my
earlier post below). In order to proceed I need to do a hard boot, power off
and on again, and after this, by some magical force, the clock lag is nowhere
to be seen. The charm only lasts until the next reboot, though, when the lag
reappears.

You'll see one of my colleagues saying I'm out of date with the Synch
thought but I believe in eliminating things rather than in believing
they've fixed them! <g>

Trust but verify. I agree.

BTW Have you checked for BIOS updates for the mobo:

http://www.abit-usa.com/downloads/bios/search_bios.php?keyword=AB9+Pro

I've checked, and I have the second latest BIOS, and the newwer version is
not reported to help in my predicament. I'm going to try it nevertheless, see
if it might solve the problem.

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

This is why God made tinyURL.com

No that's an invention of the Devil intended to lure you to false
locations.

And yes I do know about their Preview function but no thanks.

At least in HTML you can do real links with the URL behind the words
but the real destination showing up in the browser Status Bar.

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Pinning it down to the sleep function is helpful -- I just hope it
leaks through to Microsoft so they can fix it.

If I may I'll pass the information on in LAPTOP.

Meanwhile use the NISTime utility to reset it from the desktop?

 

[Guest]

Pinning it down to the sleep function is helpful -- I just hope it
leaks through to Microsoft so they can fix it.

I slight detour in the road: my BIOS update solved my Sleep related
problems, but the clock lag still remains. I updated my abit AB9 Pro BIOS
from version 15 to version 16, and the Sleep modes started working like a
charm - even the new Hybrid Sleep works, and the resume is really fast!

The downside is that I'm completely at a loss as to what might cause the
slow clock. I'm pretty sure it's not the synchronization, though. Need to do
some testing with the new BIOS to be sure.

If I may I'll pass the information on in LAPTOP.

Anything that might be of help to others in the same situation. The power
management settings and sleep related issues are a pretty strong candidate,
given that many suffering from the problem are using laptops.

Meanwhile use the NISTime utility to reset it from the desktop?

Seems like a pretty good option for the synchronization, should give it a try.

 

[Bill Marriott]

Yes, well, posting in HTML will undoubtedly get more fire and brimstone
coming your way than posting an honest tinyurl. I usually supply both the
full url and the tiny one.

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

posting in HTML will undoubtedly get more fire and brimstone 
coming your way

Time for people to catch up with the real world where not only do
people use HTML but also it does some things much better than "text"
<gdr>

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Well that's one problem solved, at least.

Let's hope the other one goes the same way.

 

[frogliver]

Time for people to catch up with the real world where not only do
people use HTML but also it does some things much better than "text"
<gdr>

Such as deliver malware?

Frogman

 

[Paul-B]

Time for people to catch up with the real world where not only do
people use HTML but also it does some things much better than "text"
<gdr>

Nope, can't see that anywhere.

HTML is for websites, usenet was, is and probably for the most part
will be text.

There is absolutely no need for bloated code in usenet.

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

There is absolutely no need for bloated code in usenet.

Bloated code comes from bad programming; efficent code produces
benefits that can be appreciable.

I have been sysoping on Compuserve for a couple of decades and
experienced the transition from text to web-based. It was not a nice
experience but the real losses were due to bad (ignorant) management
and poor programming.

Doing technical support as I do I miss the superb threading that the
old Compuserve had but the most staid of my colleagues find that the
ability to include images in a message or as an attachment is a
terrific benefit in helping others.

Now if you had moderators here who would literally cut out the crap and
who would move irrelevant messages .....

 

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Such as deliver malware?

Then you really should not venture on the internet at all .... Nor even
drive a car .....

 

[makana]

Hi, I'm having the same problem. Not quite as radical - I'm losing about one minute a day. Even when I unclick synchronize and set it manually it is losing time. I'm concerned this is a symptom of a serious problem. Have you found anything else out yet?

Thanks.

EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

 

[Flash Gortdon]

Every time it checks the Internet to update time...it comes up with an
error...no matter what server I pick....

So it goes out of sync to what it should be.

Anybody else getting Internet Time sync errors in Vista Ultimate or
whatever?

FG

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