My computer clock has started running slow, about 20 mins an hour. I have
synchronised with the Windows clock several times but it still falls behind.
How can I fix this please. Shrimpy
When first started, Windows picks up the time from the system clock. If the
system clock is correct, the time will show correctly when you reach the
desktop. If not correct, go into BIOS and change the time. (Aside: If time
has been set correctly in BIOS but continues to be wrong at startup, then a
battery on the motherboard needs to be replaced).
After getting the time from the system clock, Windows uses CPU cycles to
advance the clock. If you have a program or several programs tying up a
huge number of CPU cycles, the clock will fall behind. Historically, there
have been misbehaving/poorly written apps at the root of the problem.
Malware could also cause this. The troublesome programs typically run in
the background and run constantly.
If you can find the program(s) eating up the cpu cycles, you can solve your
problem. Some tips for doing this:
-Use Task Manager to display programs placing a high load on the cpu: Open
Task Manager to the Processes page. Find the CPU column. If not present,
you can use View> Select Columns to add it. Then click on the title bar of
the CPU column to sort the processes - one click displays low to high; two
clicks shows high to low. Ignore the listing for System Idle Process. It is
a placeholder and it is normal for this figure to be high. Track down the
high usage items. If they run continuously, change their behavior to run as
needed.
-Use MSCONFIG for a list of startup programs. Block the startup programs
from running at startup. Add one back at a time until the time problem
appears again. When it does appear, the last item added back to startup is
a contributor to the time problem. Change its startup behavior - don't
allow it to run at startup, instead run only when needed. Settings for
changing startup behavior are usually found in a program's Preferences or
Options menus. If, after eliminating one program, and re-enabling all of
your other programs brings the time problem back, repeat the search for
another offender (you may have more than one causing this problem).
-There are other system monitoring tools available (such as Process
Explorer from sysinternals.com) that can help to find programs placing
excessive demands on the system too. These are a little more complex to use
but if the other tools are not detecting the extra heavy activity causing
the time problem, give them a try.
-Check the system for malware using an up to date antivirus program and an
up to date anti-spyware program. Follow the necessary steps for removal if
intrusions are found. This may include manual steps that must be performed
by the user. You'll find those steps outlined at the website of the
antivirus or anti-spyware program that detected the problem.
