Setting System Clock to a Different Time Zone

J

justrading

Are there any possible problems from setting the computer system clock to a different time zone from where one is physically located?

I'm in Thailand, want to set the clock to New York time, and Sierra Charts and TWS to that time zone.

Can't find anything on Google, but would like to know if anyone has done this without problems. Any problems with the ISP for example?
 
there should be no problems of any kind... your clock has little to do with ISP or anything else... only with your apps and your own personal internal clock..

as an example... I have my CQG workstation set to CST mostly because the line is set to CST and I find it easier to just look at that time for futures...

yet, the remainder is set to EST, since I am in EST TZ...

the only thing that will matter, is to ensure you are in sync with a good clock...

find a local one from nist..

http://tf.nist.gov/tf-cgi/servers.cgi
 
You might run into problems if you change your PC clock different from local time ~

I had certificates that got messed up.

I also found that TOS (Ameritrade) would run, but had crazy problems with charting.

(I put the date ahead by a month on accident and didn't figure out the problem for a couple of frustrating days.)

(Oh and Windows 7 lets you show multiple clocks.)
 
Quote from Whistlingleaf:

You might run into problems if you change your PC clock different from local time ~

I had certificates that got messed up.

I also found that TOS (Ameritrade) would run, but had crazy problems with charting.

(I put the date ahead by a month on accident and didn't figure out the problem for a couple of frustrating days.)

(Oh and Windows 7 lets you show multiple clocks.)
More...

Was your problem with the certificates when you got the date wrong? Having the system clock in the future might have been the issue?

I would be setting the system clock behind local time here. Sierra Charts support has indicated there should be no problem. Will need to confirm Interactive Brokers TWS will not present any issues.

The change is a massive undertaking because of the number of charts and studies that will have to be adjusted, so I'm waiting for an appropriate time to do the conversion. Will check further in any case.
 
Quote from Whistlingleaf:

You might run into problems if you change your PC clock different from local time ~

I had certificates that got messed up.

I also found that TOS (Ameritrade) would run, but had crazy problems with charting.

(I put the date ahead by a month on accident and didn't figure out the problem for a couple of frustrating days.)

(Oh and Windows 7 lets you show multiple clocks.)
More...

Did a bit of research, reckon the problem was your PC clock being a month ahead.

Certificates have expiration dates and need to be renewed periodically, so with your clock a month ahead there would be issues.
 
Just completed this exercise and I want to record a few points here is case someone wants to do the same in future.

Using Interactive Broker's TWS with Sierra Charts.

Started by changing the timezone setting and only then doing the pending windows updates.

Started up TWS to see if there were any issues, there were none.

Loaded up each copy of Sierra Charts in turn (I have 5 installed), changed the setting to manually connect to data feed, then changed the timezone setting and shut down.

Then did the following for each installed copy;

Loaded all chartbooks. Note:not connected to data feed.

Changed session time settings for each chart.

Changed time settings for all studies.

When all chartbooks had been adjusted, then went into the data directory and deleted ALL intraday data files. According to SC support this is key, daily data files go by date but intraday data is often (depending on source) time-stamped according to your system clock, so old data becomes useless.

Connected to data feed and this downloaded fresh data files. For stocks it is easier, for futures you have to set to download every contract you want, one by one. A good data service will be useful, with IB you constantly get pacing violations and have to take breaks.

General
If you have linked charts so that symbols and session times only need to be changed in one copy, it helps.

If you have a 1 minute, 5 minute and 60 minute chart (for example) with the same study appearing in all 3, it helps if the study is installed in just 1 and then overlaid on the other 2.

Adjustments were tedious, but the most time was taken up with downloading fresh intraday data.
 
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