Can I make XP sync time more often? Computer losing time

[presto]

I noticed my computer clock was off by a couple of minutes the other day so I re-synced the time. Now, only a day later it is off by over a minute. What would cause this?

As a fix can I have XP sync the time twice a day? I don't see where to change that.

Thanks

Added Later:

Found part of my answer. For those interested:

The time interval of the update is set at 7 days. This can be changed in the registry:

Start the Registry Editor
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ W32Time \ TimeProviders \ NtpClient \
Double-click the SpecialPollInterval value, and change the Base of the Value data to Decimal
Now change the Value data to the time interval you desire, noting that the time is given in seconds (so for 1 day the value would be 86400, while the default (7 days) is 604800
Close the registry editor

[BetaMaster]

I had the same problem with my old computer when it was doing heavy downloading. The CPU was so busy with the incoming info that the clock would lag until the system was re-booted. The system uses the interrupt to keep the time up to date, but when it gets really busy with other tasks it just cuts the clock out of the loop to save cycles. When you reboot, the system looks at the on-board clock on the motherboard. However, when the system is running, it keeps time independently of the on-board clock and it can get out of whack if the system is under heavy use.

There are a couple of shareware utilities that can regularly sync up your computer clock to an atomic clock on a regular basis, so long as your computer is hooked up to the internet. Here are a few sources I found through Google

http://www.worldtimeserver.com/atomic-clock/

http://www.download-by.net/network-and-internet/timers-and-time-synch/

http://3d2f.com/programs/18-364-atomic-clock-service-download.shtml

[presto]

I never heard that the clock could lag when the cpu is busy. Now that you mention it I think I might have been asking it to do a lot at once durring the time in question.

Thanks for the info.

[HillJack]

The system uses the interrupt to keep the time up to date, but when it gets really busy with other tasks it just cuts the clock out of the loop to save cycles.

That doesn't happen - If that were true, then your keyboard wouldn't respond, neither would your mouse, NIC, hard drives and anything else that uses interrupts. Sure some components have priority, but the CPU will never NOT process an interrupt. If that really happens to you, your computer has something seriously wrong with it.

NetTime works great for me. You can set its update interval and include several NTP servers (incase one doesn't respond). You can even have one computer become an NTP host using NetTime, for all the others on your network.

[Soopafresh]

This commandline app is great to time sync.

http://www.softshape.net/download/cmdtime.zip

HillJack- Looks like spring is finally visiting your neck of the woods.

[HillJack]

HillJack- Looks like spring is finally visiting your neck of the woods.

Heh, we're getting there. It LOOKS better, but it was actually snowing again about an hour ago!

[BetaMaster]

Welllll.... who of us have never been using a computer when the computer won't accept keyboard inputs? Computers prioritize when they get really busy, especially if you don't have lots of RAM for multitasking.

I remember when I always knew my Apple had trouble - the clock wouldn't keep the correct time, even though the display looked normal and I could use the cursor to move the mouse.

[guns1inger]

The clock is seperate to the CPU and stored in it's own CMOS memory. The CPU won't slow it down. What will slow it down is a bios battery going flat. If your clock keeps losing time, get a new battery.

[ViRaL1]

High CPU utilization shouldn't cause your clock to lose synchronization. Incorrect FSB settings can sometimes cause this problem. As far as interrupts go, the system timer is IRQ 0. Can't get any higher than that.

[waheed]

Just installed Netime as HillJack mentioned. It works great. Mine is set to update every 10 minutes.

[presto]

Beta Master Wrote:

and I could use the cursor to move the mouse.

That's some trick

[vitualis]

Just installed Netime as HillJack mentioned. It works great. Mine is set to update every 10 minutes.

An aside, but either your computer clock is WAY inaccurate or you have OCD...

Regards.

[waheed]

Just installed Netime as HillJack mentioned. It works great. Mine is set to update every 10 minutes.

An aside, but either your computer clock is WAY inaccurate or you have OCD...

Regards.

No, the computer clock is not inaccurete, im just playing around with the settings, thats all.