Clock Gaining Time?

[imroberts]

Computers quite old now (it's an XP2500+ bought when this was the best on the market) but it still runs all the latest games no problem...

Anyway, in the years I've had it, from time to time the clock has started to run fast... usually powering off has solved this, if not a bios reset has... and it's been fine for another year or so.

But recently the clock gains time probably 50% of the times I power the computer on... and it's not insignificant, it's gaining about 10/15 mins per hour!

Any ideas what might be causing it? Or a solution?

[Clunk]

new cmos battery?

[imroberts]

I mean the computer is gaining time while it's running... when it's turned off it seems to keep the correct time

[mike_w]

I have a similar problem (actually, it would appear to be the exact same problem). I use Debian, so I just installed ntpdate, which synchronises the clock on every boot using NTP servers. If you don't use GNU/Linux, perhaps you can find a similar utility for Windows?

There's some stuff about Windows here: http://www.akadia.com/services/ntp_synchronize.html

A search on Google for Windows and NTP should sort you out.

[imroberts]

My clock synchronises every hour... but by that point it's gained 15 minutes already!

i.e. 10:00 it says 10:15 and syncs back to 10:00, 11:00 it says 11:15 and syncs back to 11:00... it's even more annoying than just have it run faster and faster!

[kalniel]

XP on my computer hasn't been able to find any of the NTP servers for a while now

[imroberts]

XP on my computer hasn't been able to find any of the NTP servers for a while now

Not being blocked by a router or firewall are they?

[kalniel]

Not being blocked by a router or firewall are they?

Good question. Happen to know what port is being used? I'd assume windows firewall isn't blocking it, but my router might be.

[imroberts]

Good question. Happen to know what port is being used? I'd assume windows firewall isn't blocking it, but my router might be.

I wouldn't assume that about Windows Firewall - it used to block Windows Messenger etc. I think the akadia link above tells you which port is used

[kalniel]

OK thanks - UDP 123 should be open, will find out later tonight