Windows Time Synchronization - XP

**MrRadio** · 17-06-09, 08:11 PM

Does anyone know what I can tweak to cause Windows to synchronize time daily (or even twice daily) instead of weekly. Yes I have searched and found many third party apps that will do it but I would prefer a tweak to leave in under Windows control. I really need it daily in order to have it to the second in a studio for relay purposes. Studio computer tends to gain a few seconds every day.
Help would be appreciated

**SystemRat** · 17-06-09, 09:17 PM

Not sure if this will work with XP but it does with 2000 and 2003 server so I expect it will.

shows how to setup the sync period.

If you want to try a third party app I can recommend Tardis its available as a full download

if it can't access an NTP time source it automatically uses an other in the list. You can set when it checks and even broadcast NTP on your network.

**tristen** · 18-06-09, 12:17 AM

The relevant Windows XP Corporate help file does not indicate that the time can be set other than weekly as below.

Synchronizing your computer clock
If your computer is a member of a domain, your computer clock is probably synchronized automatically by a network time server. If your computer is not a member of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an Internet time server.

If synchronization is enabled, your computer clock is synchronized with an Internet time server once a week. However, if you don't have a continuous Internet connection through a cable modem or DSL modem, the automatic synchronization might not always occur. In that case, you can force an immediate synchronization by clicking the Update Now button on the Internet Time tab in Date and Time in Control Panel. This tab is only available if your computer is not a member of a domain.

Hmmmm..... I have successfully searched the (WinXP Corp. Edn) Windows Registry for reference to W32time and the value to alter is REG_SZ according to the information at the link SystemRat has posted. Something to play with.

I also recommend Tardis 2000 for synchronisation with an NTP time server.
I have been using this program now for about 6 years and it is currently set to synchronise every 2 hours (default) with the NTP server at a local university.
Synchronisation can be set to occur periodically, from every minute to every four weeks. Once or twice a day are available options.
You can edit NTP server details to include one near you.
I manually added the url for my nearest time server, which is located at one of the local universities.
Choose a site near you in order to keep latency to a minimum.

Some NTP servers in Australia are:
ntp.adelaide.edu.au (stratum 2)
ns.unisa.edu.au (stratum 3) [Adelaide]
yarinna.connect.com.au (192.189.54.17) [Adelaide?]
time.deakin.edu.au (128.184.1.1) [Melbourne, stratum 2]
time.esec.com.au (203.21.84.4) [Melbourne, stratum 2]
ntp.ise.canberra.edu.au (137.92.140.80) [stratum 1]
ntp0.cs.mu.oz.au (128.250.36.2) [Melbourne, stratum 1]
ntp1.cs.mu.oz.au (128.250.36.3) [Melbourne, stratum 1]

**hoe** · 18-06-09, 12:29 AM

**tristen** · 18-06-09, 01:16 PM

A very comprehensive and useful program.

Thanks, Hoe.

**beer4life** · 18-06-09, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by MrRadio

Does anyone know what I can tweak to cause Windows to synchronize time daily (or even twice daily) instead of weekly. Yes I have searched and found many third party apps that will do it but I would prefer a tweak to leave in under Windows control. I really need it daily in order to have it to the second in a studio for relay purposes. Studio computer tends to gain a few seconds every day.
Help would be appreciated

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**MrRadio** · 18-06-09, 03:53 PM

My thanks to those who contributed. I had a play with the registery as suggested by SR but couldn't make a go of it on XP (maybe my grey hair was covering my eyes) but I have decided to have a go with Tardis, it seems to be just the shot.

**crypto7** · 19-06-09, 03:29 PM

You could also setup a batch file and use the "net time ..." command. then add that to an "at" job every x hrs...

eg: In the batch file....
net time /setsntp:some.time.server.com