Questions About Windows Time Service

[Alfred E. Neuman]

Here's Black Viper:
"Automatically sets your clock by contacting a server (Microsoft's server by
default) on the internet. Great idea if your network connects to the
internet 24/7. The Event Log fills up with "cannot find server" messages on
a non-dedicated setup, though. After successful synchronizing, this service
will not attempt to do it again for 7 days, meanwhile taking up resources.
You may also need Task Scheduler running. You may choose to set your clock
manually on a dial up connection, but with a 24/7 broadband setup, this
could keep you on time for work.

Default: Automatic

Safe Setting: Disabled"

I assume that a "non-dedicated setup" is one which is not always on.

I'd like to understand why my Event Log fills up with "cannot find server"
messages when I'm on a cable ("always on") connection.

My computer only runs about 8-10 hours a day, but surely Windows can't be
checking with the time server when the computer is off.

BTW, I've seen that Black Viper, The Elder Geek, Kelly Theriot, et al.
recommend "disabling" the service.

I'd like to know whether I would then have to set the time manually
(literally, with my wristwatch) or I could check the "Synchronize Now"
button in the time set page.

Thanks for any enlightenment you can offer.

 

[GreenTea]

Hello
..
I disabled this service and am using "Atom Time"
whenever I need to check time.

http://www.atomtime.com/download.html

AtomTime Pro is a Windows application which will connect to
the Atomic Clock time server in Boulder, Colorado (USA) via
the Internet and fetch the current atomic clock time value.
It compares this value to your PC time and displays the difference.
You then have the option of updating your PC clock to match
the atomic clock value. There are a number of options to
automate the update process.
AtomTime Pro also features support for most proxy servers.

You do not need Pro version, you can use Freeware version of Win 98 for Win
XP.

I hope this will help.

GreenTea

 

[Alfred E. Neuman]

Thanks for the response.
Actually, since Windows XP comes with its own time checker, I'd rather use
it--but I'd like to be able to run it myself rather than have it run
automatically.
I'm trying to understand whether that's possible and how it's done.
If the Windows Time Service is disabled (to save "overhead"), is my only
option to set the time using my wristwatch?

 

[GreenTea]

Hello

time.windows.com is not reliable.
I tried this service many times by auto and/or manual check up.
Finally I gave up and am using Atom Time.

GreenTea

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Alfred - If you're going to consider using a third-party time program, I
highly recommend NetTime here: http://nettime.sourceforge.net/ The nice
thing about it is that it will automatically check 140 or so servers, find
those that are working, pick the "best" five for you, update your time
automatically at your designated interval by comparing all five and has
provision for updating other computers on a local net. Or you can
individually test and select the five to be used from servers around the
world. You can use it to either automatically set the time in your tray or
to do so manually. I tried out a number of time set programs, and this is
far-and-away the best

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Alex Nichol]

time.windows.com is not reliable.
I tried this service many times by auto and/or manual check up.
Finally I gave up and am using Atom Time.

There is one alternative available in the drop down box, and you can
enter others - eg from

time-a.nist.gov
time-b.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov
or time-c
tock.usno.navy.mil

any of which do a good job - Atom time is probably using one