PC clock won't keep time!

[Guest]

The clock in the taskbar of my pc will not keep time. when I try to update
the time
it states that an error occured...unable to update. I downloaded software
for Atomic Clock sync. This will update my clock properly but it loses time
within the first hour...as much as 5 minutes! Any suggestions as to why the
original software won't update time??
Also why does it lose time so often??

 

[Malke]

The clock in the taskbar of my pc will not keep time. when I try to update
the time
it states that an error occured...unable to update. I downloaded software
for Atomic Clock sync. This will update my clock properly but it loses time
within the first hour...as much as 5 minutes! Any suggestions as to why the
original software won't update time??
Also why does it lose time so often??

We don't have a lot of information to go on since you told us nothing
about your computer. However, I've recently heard of a very bad malware
infection that affects users' time so the first thing to do is determine
whether your computer is virus/malware-free. This is a new malware
twist; previously we'd be looking at a motherboard issue if your
computer loses time while plugged in and running. I'm assuming that this
is a desktop and therefore plugged in, if not now you know why giving
some information about your computer is A Good Thing.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

If the machine is really clean, then this may be a hardware issue.

Here are some links to show you what details to include in your next
post so we can give you better-focused help:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question

And as always: The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed
between the time things worked and the time they didn't?


Malke

 

[M.I.5¾]

The clock in the taskbar of my pc will not keep time. when I try to
update
the time
it states that an error occured...unable to update.

You maybe unaware that there are currently issues with the time update.
Change the time server to 'time-a.nist.gov' and your problem should be
solved.

 

[kim]

"This will update my clock properly but it loses time
within the first hour...as much as 5 minutes!" I recon it could be the CMOS
battery on the mother board this keeps the system time, these batteries run
out like any other.How old is the machine?

 

[Malke]

"This will update my clock properly but it loses time
within the first hour...as much as 5 minutes!" I recon it could be the CMOS
battery on the mother board this keeps the system time, these batteries run
out like any other.How old is the machine?

The CMOS battery doesn't come into play when the machine is running
which is why I didn't suggest it. The OP says his computer is losing
time while it is on and running Windows. As I said, previous to learning
about this new virulent malware we'd be looking at a motherboard timing
issue. While it never hurts to replace a desktop's motherboard battery,
that isn't the first thing I'd do in the OP's case. Of course, unless
s/he comes back with better information about the machine, etc. we'll
never know.


Malke

 

[kim]

The CMOS battery doesn't come into play when the machine is running which
is why I didn't suggest it. The OP says his computer is losing time while
it is on and running Windows. As I said, previous to learning about this
new virulent malware we'd be looking at a motherboard timing issue. While
it never hurts to replace a desktop's motherboard battery, that isn't the
first thing I'd do in the OP's case. Of course, unless s/he comes back
with better information about the machine, etc. we'll never know.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User