Clock syncronization with internet - change update frequency?

S

Sven Pran

In the information on computer clock syncronization with an internet time
server I read: "Your clock is typically updated once a week".

Is there any way I can change this interval? My computer clock isn't too
accurate so I should like to syncronize say at least daily instead of once a
week.

regards Sven
 
W

webster72n

Sven Pran said:
In the information on computer clock syncronization with an internet time
server I read: "Your clock is typically updated once a week".

Is there any way I can change this interval? My computer clock isn't too
accurate
Click to expand...

if that's the case, your pc-battery must be low for whatever reason and I
suggest you replace it.
 
S

Sven Pran

THANKS! That was exactly what I needed.
(Why couldn't Microsoft disclose this information in their help page on
internet syncronization?)

regards Sven
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

THANKS! That was exactly what I needed.
(Why couldn't Microsoft disclose this information in their help page on
internet syncronization?)
Click to expand...

You mean like this?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314054

But once you look at this page you'll be sorry :)

Everything you want to know - and everything else as well - is there. Good
luck finding or understanding any particular item ;-)

I thought I had it bookmarked, but couldn't find it, so I Googled for
Windows time sync. It was the second hit. But, April 1st or not, I mean it
when I say that page is too much!
regards Sven
Click to expand...
<SNIP>
 
S

Sven Pran

Gene E. Bloch said:
You mean like this?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314054

But once you look at this page you'll be sorry :)
Click to expand...

Yes, I was sorry, but not for the reason you indicate: This document applies
to Windows XP and the registry references didn't immediately match what I
can see in my Vista registry.

However, I suppose I shall be able to use this document to eventually learn
all I want about time services, there are several items there that I have
missed in the Vista documentation and I believe i shall be able to identify
possible differences between XP and Vista registry keys and fieldnames.
Everything you want to know - and everything else as well - is there.
Good
luck finding or understanding any particular item ;-)

I thought I had it bookmarked, but couldn't find it, so I Googled for
Windows time sync. It was the second hit. But, April 1st or not, I mean it
when I say that page is too much!
Click to expand...

Not for me! :cool:

Thanks for the reference.

regards Sven
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

Yes, I was sorry, but not for the reason you indicate: This document applies
to Windows XP and the registry references didn't immediately match what I
can see in my Vista registry.
Click to expand...

At least the info on the SpecialPollInterval is correct. That's the only
thing I happen to use anyway :)

Anyway, I'm sorry - I didn't realize that the info was changed (not to
belabor the obvious!). Maybe that's why it was no longer in my bookmarks.
As if I were that organized...
 
G

Gary M

The pc battery keeps the bios information in case of a power failure, it
doesn't power the clock, unless the computers power supply is shut off, or
there is no power going to the computer.
 
M

Mike Torello

Gary M said:
The pc battery keeps the bios information in case of a power failure, it
doesn't power the clock, unless the computers power supply is shut off, or
there is no power going to the computer.
Click to expand...

The latter. As long as the computer stays connected to the wall
outlet, everything is fine even if the battery is dead. The OP's
problem is with Windows.
 
S

Sven Pran

Mike Torello said:
The latter. As long as the computer stays connected to the wall
outlet, everything is fine even if the battery is dead. The OP's
problem is with Windows.
Click to expand...

My computer is a DELL Inspiron 1720 normally operated on mains when
available, but I always have the main (external) battery inserted and fully
charged.

I disconnect from mains when I have the computer turned off.

What I have noticed is a loss in the order of maybe up to some 20 seconds
during one week, but I have not noticed any irregularity with BIOS so I
doubt that the BIOS battery is low? Besides, from my knoledge in electronics
I expect the clock to be controlled by its own crystal and not being
dependent on the battery at all for accuracy?

So I suppose the bottom line is the accuracy of the clock crystal. I don't
know if my computer includes any means for adjusting that, I wouldn't expect
it..

Anyway, thanks for all comments. I have now set the time syncronization
interval to one day instead of one week.

regards Sven
 
M

Mike Torello

Sven Pran said:
What I have noticed is a loss in the order of maybe up to some 20 seconds
during one week,
Click to expand...

HOLY crap!

20 seconds in a WEEK?

GET A FREAKING LIFE YOU IDIOT!
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

On Thu, 2 Apr 2009 11:18:53 +0200, Sven Pran wrote:


My computer is a DELL Inspiron 1720 normally operated on mains when
available, but I always have the main (external) battery inserted and fully
charged.

I disconnect from mains when I have the computer turned off.

What I have noticed is a loss in the order of maybe up to some 20 seconds
during one week, but I have not noticed any irregularity with BIOS so I
doubt that the BIOS battery is low? Besides, from my knoledge in electronics
I expect the clock to be controlled by its own crystal and not being
dependent on the battery at all for accuracy?

So I suppose the bottom line is the accuracy of the clock crystal. I don't
know if my computer includes any means for adjusting that, I wouldn't expect
it..

Anyway, thanks for all comments. I have now set the time syncronization
interval to one day instead of one week.

regards Sven
Click to expand...

In the old days computer clocks were notoriously inaccurate, and they had
no means of adjustment. My experience lately has been errors of only a few
seconds a week, but you certainly might have an outlier - or perhaps *my*
computers were the outliers :)

Anyway, at 20 seconds a week you might be happier setting the sync interval
(SpecialPollInterval) to a few hours. I do that.

<SNIP bis>
 
S

Sven Pran

Gene E. Bloch said:
On Thu, 2 Apr 2009 11:18:53 +0200, Sven Pran wrote:




In the old days computer clocks were notoriously inaccurate, and they had
no means of adjustment. My experience lately has been errors of only a few
seconds a week, but you certainly might have an outlier - or perhaps *my*
computers were the outliers :)

Anyway, at 20 seconds a week you might be happier setting the sync
interval
(SpecialPollInterval) to a few hours. I do that.

<SNIP bis>
Click to expand...

Quite so. And that was my reason for searching a means to reduce the
syncronizing interval below the default 7 days.
Temporarily I have set it to 24 hours, but now I am going on Easter holiday
with no internet access for some ten days and I shall verify the clock drift
during this period to see if I should reduce the interval even more.

Having worked in services where I got used to maintaining time at second
accuracy I don't feel comfortable with unneccessary inaccurancies. :cool:

regards Sven
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

Quite so. And that was my reason for searching a means to reduce the
syncronizing interval below the default 7 days.
Temporarily I have set it to 24 hours, but now I am going on Easter holiday
with no internet access for some ten days and I shall verify the clock drift
during this period to see if I should reduce the interval even more.

Having worked in services where I got used to maintaining time at second
accuracy I don't feel comfortable with unneccessary inaccurancies. :cool:

regards Sven
Click to expand...

Dealing with source-code control systems and other synchronization problems
made me like accurate time too (besides my natural obsessive-compulsive
tendencies!).
 
W

webster72n

Gary M said:
The pc battery keeps the bios information in case of a power failure, it
doesn't power the clock, unless the computers power supply is shut off, or
there is no power going to the computer.
Click to expand...

Unless today's pc's are different, that's how I corrected my time
irregularities some years ago (6?), by replacing the battery. Hence my
advice.
 
F

Frank-FL

Sven Pran said:
Thanks, but I think finding and changing the relevant
parameter in the registry is a better way.

regards Sven
Click to expand...


That is what the little script does.
 

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