Time sync failure... why?

[Jonathan Sachs]

I am running Windows XP SP2. I need to figure out why I am getting an
error whenever I try to synchronize my clock with an Internet time
server, either automatically or by clicking "Update Now."

I initially assumed that Norton Internet Security was interfering with
the process, but I tried disabling its firewall, its intrusion
detection, and its spyware detection, without results. Norton's logs
do not indicate that it has taken any action when the time sync fails.

When I try to synchronize with time.nist.gov, I get the message "An
error occurred while Windows for synchronizing with time.nist.gov."

When I try to synchronize with time.windows.com, I I get a similar
message which sometimes has additional text, saying something like
"The error was: operation failed because the client's stratum is below
the host's stratum." I don't have the exact wording because this
message is not appearing consistently, and I can't get it to appear as
I write this.

I have looked at the suggestions in the Help and Support Center, but
none none of them appear to be relevant. There is nothing wrong with
my Internet connection; I have tried disabling the firewall; the
problem cannot be up the server because I get an error consistently
with both servers and any time of day; and my computer's time is set
very close to the correct time (within seconds). Something else must
be happening, but what?

 

[R. McCarty]

Skip DNS translation for Time servers. Just pick the one closest
to you and use it's IP address instead of URL:
http://tf.nist.gov/service/time-servers.html

 

[Lispo]

I don't now, for sync time I'am using http://www.drive-software.com/atomicalarmclock.html

 

[Curt]

Try time-b.nist.gov. for whatever reason time.nist.gov quit working
several weeks ago.
Curt

 

[Unknown]

Change your time server to tock.usno.navy.mil and it will solve your
problem.

 

[Jonathan Sachs]

Skip DNS translation for Time servers. Just pick the one closest
to you and use it's IP address instead of URL:
http://tf.nist.gov/service/time-servers.html

Uh, OK, but how does one do that? The Windows time synch dialog box
has a dropdown list of time servers with two entries, both URLs, and
there's no apparent way to edit them or add to them.

 

[R. McCarty]

As with most all data entry boxes, just backspace out the current
data and simply type in your preferred Time Server IP and then
test for immediate sync.
For example:
129.6.15.29

 

[Jonathan Sachs]

As with most all data entry boxes, just backspace out the current
data and simply type in your preferred Time Server IP and then
test for immediate sync.

Very strange... when I first tried it, the combo box refused to let me
modify the current data. Thus, the question in my last message. I
tried it again, and it worked perfectly.

It's not clear to me why an IP address should work when a domain does
not. I initially tried entering one of the other domain names from
tf.nist.gov, and that worked, so I have not (so far) had to enter an
address.

Thank you. You've helped me solve the problem with a minimum of fuss.

 

[bbunny]

http://tf.nist.gov/timefreq/service/its.htm
Read the last paragraph.

 

[Guest]

The Microsoft time synch server is obviously down. I've had this problem with
my own computer in New York, and my brother-in-law had it several days ago in
Seattle. Has anyone told Microsoft their time synch isn't working?

 

[Unknown]

Its been up and down for years. Change to a different server.