Windows Xp – Getting the Correct Time

| Posted: 30-04-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 129 | Rating: (375)

(?)

All computers need to know the time. Many applications, from sending an email to storing information are reliant on the PC knowing when the event took place. In some environments timing is even more crucial where a single second can make all the difference between profit and loss – just think of the stock exchange.

Most computers have internal clocks which are battery backed, so the computer can still keep time when the machine is off. However, are these clocks really that reliable? The answer of course is no.

Computers are mass marketed and designed for multi functions, timing not being that high on the manufacturer’s agenda. The internal clocks (called RTC real time chips) are normally adequate for home computing or when workstations run alone. However, when computers run in a network, then a lack of synchronisation can cause problems.

It may be a minor thing such as an email arriving somewhere before it was sent (according to a PC clock) but with some time sensitive transactions and applications, a lack of synchronisation can cause imaginable problems: Imagine turning up at an airport only to find the airline seat you had bought weeks before was in fact sold to somebody else afterwards as their booking agent had a slower clock on their computer!

To get around these problems most computers on a network are synchronised to a single time source using NTP (network time protocol) this time source can be either relative (a computer’s clock or wrist watch) or an absolute time source like UTC.

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) was developed after the emergence of atomic clocks and is a standard time scale used globally, allowing machines all over the world to use a single time source.

Windows XP can easily set the system clock to use UTC by accessing an Internet source for UTC (either: time.windows.com or time.nist.gov). To achieve this, a user merely has to double click the clock on their desktop and adjust the settings in the Internet Time tab.

However, Microsoft and other operating system manufacturers strongly advise that external timing references should be used as Internet sources can’t be authenticated, making systems vulnerable to a malicious attack.

If you wish to run a network time server Windows XP, then specialist NTP servers are available that can receive a time reference via the GPS satellite system or specialist national transmissions

To allow Windows XP to operate as a network time server, the NTP service needs to be switched on. To activate NTP simply find the following subkey in the registry editor (regedit):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpServer

Right click enabled (in the right-hand window) then Modify. Edit the DWORD Value and type 1. Right-click NtpServer, then Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value under Value Data type Peers, then click OK.

Exit the registry and start windows time service by clicking Start/Run and typing:

net stop w32time && net start w32time.; Then on each computer on the network (other than the domain controller which can’t be synchronised with itself) type: W32tm/resync/rediscover.

Rate this Article:

Current: 5 / 5 stars - 3 vote(s).

Article Tags: Windows, GPS Clock, Time Server, Ntp Server, GPS Ntp Server, Ntp Time Server, GPS Time Server, Xp, Ntp Time Server Uk, Gps Ntp, Gps Ntp Time Server, Network Time Server, Windows Ntp Time Server, Ntp Wall Clock

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/windows-xp-getting-the-correct-time-400444.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Copyright 2008 © Richard N Williams

Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the telecommunications and network time synchronisation industry helping to develop dedicated time server products; ethernet clocks, GPS time servers, NTP servers, digital wall clocks, atomic clock servers and SNTP time servers. Please visit us for more information about NTP products and NTP servers

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

History of Horology; Sundials to Atomic Clocks
By: Richard n Williams | 28/04/2008 | Networks
This article describes the history of horology from early sundials to modern atomic clcoks and NTP GPs time servers.

Time Servers and the Importance of Synchronisation
By: Richard n Williams | 13/05/2008 | Networks
This article explains what a timing server does and the importance of network time synchronisation.

Network Time Protocol: Explaining Ntp and Network Time Synchronisation
By: Richard n Williams | 10/06/2008 | Networks
This article explains how Network Time Protocol works and how it is used in the synchronisation of computers

Killing Time; the Importance of Time Synchronisation in Criminal Cases
By: Richard n Williams | 28/04/2008 | Computer Forensics
This article describes how accurate time synchronisation can help in criminal activities and is critical in keeping modern computer networks secure.

Installing a Ntp Server Using a Radio Reference Source
By: Richard n Williams | 13/05/2008 | Networks
This article explains how to use the MSF, DCF77 or WWVB signal as a timig reference for a NTP server

Telling the Time in a Global Economy – Benefits of a Ntp Server
By: Richard n Williams | 16/06/2008 | Networks
This article explores the way computers all over the world can communicate with each other using NTP and UTC time.

How to Install and Configure a Ntp Server
By: Richard n Williams | 28/04/2008 | Networks
Thisa rticel describes how to install an NTP time server on a network using either GPS or an alternative radio transmission.

Installing a Ntp Server Using a GPS Timing Source
By: Richard n Williams | 13/05/2008 | Hardware
This article explains how the timing information used by the Global Positioning Satellites can be used to synchronise a network.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Stuck window
By: Ken | 10-07-2008
how to unstick a vinyl window (bedroom) that has swollen shut from humidity

Remote Desktop
By: Reloaded | 06-07-2008
What is remote desktop connection and how do I use it?

Copy and paste produces Icon and not text
By: Simon | 05-07-2008
Some times when I select and copy some text from Word and paste it into a rich-text email, it produces a coloured squiggle icon. The properties say it is an "Picture (Device Independent Bitmap). Other times it pastes the actual text., but more often than not it procduces the Icon. Any ideas, thanks.

Im trying to play a game on king .com ,,and it is ...
By: jeff | 01-07-2008
im trying to play a game on king .com ,,and it is telling me that windows is required and that active x ,is another .also flash player .i dont understand why it is asking for these things .when i thought i have those things .is there a way to check to see if i have these thing on my system ?i mean my lap top is only 2 yrs old .i hope someone can help me figure out what is wrong

Modme problems
By: rubble | 29-06-2008
i have a new dell desktop, and a 2wire modem from at&t. i can not get the install disc to load because when it gets to the part of detecting the modem it says there is not one. i have everything hooked up properly, but still can not resolve this issue. my os is vista.

Can i upgrade to windows 98 se from windows 3.11 ...
By: sunman | 29-06-2008
Can i upgrade to windows 98 se from windows 3.11 for workgroups without losing files on the hard disk, or having to format the hardisk

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Computers Articles

Overclocking Gaming Laptops: Getting Higher Performances for Less Money
By: Titus Hoskins | 19/07/2008
Many gamers and computer enthusiasts use "Overclocking" to achieve higher performances from their computers for less money. Learn about overclocking and discover how you can also get higher performances for less money...

How to Make a Website on Your Own Domain
By: Richard Adams | 19/07/2008
Provides advice for the new webmaster on how to make a website on your own domain name for the first time.

Use a Ntp Server to Keep Precise Network Time
By: David Evans | 18/07/2008
It is quite simple to synchronise every device on your network to an accurate time reference - a NTP time server.

The IPod Classic - Making a Sound Decision When Buying an IPod For Your Teenager
By: Jack Spence | 18/07/2008
Like most parents in North America, when it comes to getting gifts for our kids we are always inclined to get the newest, or the hottest, or the flashiest. This year the model with buzz was the iPod Touch. And while several of my friends were getting their kids the...

Why Websites Fail to Make Money
By: Marilyn Katz | 18/07/2008
Only a small percentage of people make a good living from their websites, even though many people work hard. Let's cut to the chase of why so many online marketers fail.

How to Prepare a CD or DVD Disc Master
By: Guy Phillips | 18/07/2008
The preparation of the CD or DVD disc master for a duplication or replication project is the most important part of the entire process. Prepping the master correctly will eliminate any problems or delays in completing the project. The master is going to be copied exactly as it is submitted...

How to Make a Website Fast and Easy
By: Richard Adams | 17/07/2008
A variety of resources that will enable the reader to set up a high quality website for free or very low cost are discussed here.

Basic Considerations For Web Design
By: Dennis Goodwin | 16/07/2008
Successful web design centers around the principle of always considering the experience of the audience first and foremost. Thus, before creating a website or webpage and uploading it to the Internet, the webpage designer must consider the website's anticipated audience and/or targeted market. What will their experience be? Doing so...

More from Richard n Williams

Using National Time and Frequency Signals as a Ntp Timing Reference
By: Richard n Williams | 16/07/2008 | Hardware
This article explores how to use a national time and frequency for network time synchronisation.

Keeping Accurate Time on Linux: Running a Ntp Time Server
By: Richard n Williams | 16/07/2008 | Operating Systems
This article explains how to keep accurate and synchronised time on Linux using NTP

Using Msf as a Timing Reference for Ntp Servers
By: Richard n Williams | 15/07/2008 | Networks
This article explores ow to use the National radio broadcast as a timing reference for an NTP time server.

Choosing a Touch Screen Display
By: Richard n Williams | 14/07/2008 | Hardware
This article gives advice on how to select an industrial touch screen display

Types of Industrial Touch Screen Monitors
By: Richard n Williams | 14/07/2008 | Hardware
This article explains the different types of industrial touchscreen displays and monitors available to industry giving a clear guide on choosing the best option.

Advantages of Industrial Touch Screen Monitors
By: Richard n Williams | 14/07/2008 | Hardware
This article explores the uses and advantages of industrial touch screen monitors over conventional LCD of CRT displays.

Using Wwvb as a Timing Reference for Ntp Servers
By: Richard n Williams | 09/07/2008 | Networks
This article explains how the NIST radio transmission from Fort Collins, Colorado can be use to synchronize a computer network to UTC time.

Linux/unix: Basic Ntp Configuration
By: Richard n Williams | 09/07/2008 | Networks
This article offers a step-by-step guide to configuring Linux to run as an NTP server.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.21, 17)

Windows Xp – Getting the Correct Time

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Computers Articles

More from Richard n Williams

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter