Erratic clock, not a battery prob?

Question

We have a Dimension 4600 bought (in the UK) in Dec 2003, running XP Home fully updated. Recently the computer clock has become a bit erratic, sometimes slow, sometimes fast - for example, it gained 30 secs overnight having been synched with a time server. The computer was switched on all the time, so it isn't a start-up problem and therefore probably isn't a battery problem, or am I wrong? We aren't running Norton Antivirus either. Any help gratefully received.

BigBrother · Answer

ElviraKate,   This does not sound like a battery problem.  The system clock shown in the system tray is managed by Windows, and not the clock chip on the mobo.  Sync'ing the clock usually does sync the clock chip on the mobo and Windows then re-reads the clock chip so that the time displayed in the system tray is correct.  If the clock drifts either up or down or both while the system is running, then the problem lies with Windows itself or some process which is affecting the performance of Windows.  You have noted that you do not use Norton AntiVirus, but this can be caused by other processes as well.  Try running the system in Safe Mode to reduce the number of background processes.  If you run the system in Safe Mode, does the clock in the system tray remain accurate?    Steve

mtabernig · Answer

My XPS 410 is doing that, Not a big deal, however. I never found the rason he of tproblem. If anyone have an idea,I like to hear about it.

fireberd · Answer

There is an option in the clock for how often it checks/syncs with the remote clock controller. Set it to check the time more often and that may keep it on time.

RoHe · Answer

Batteries are cheap, so I'd change it anyway just to see if that fixes it. My 2 pence. ;) Ron

ElviraKate · Answer

Thanks all - if there's an opportunity to run for a time in Safe Mode we'll try that. We were running Skype in the background all the time which may have slowed things down. Our antivirus is CA, and is usually extremely well-behaved. We'll also change the battery to be on the safe side! I was interested in the idea to synch more often - but there doesn't seem to be an option to change this from the default week period. Is this a Vista option or can one do it somewhere in XP?

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Erratic clock, not a battery prob?

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