Windows XP Clock Losing Time

[SideShowBob]

Also consider Dimension 4:

<a href="http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/download.htm">http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/download.htm</a>

 

[NetTecture]

Quote from flipflopper:

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Chronos seems to have fixed the issue but shouldn't I be worried that Windows can't keep time. I keep my trading machine in pristine condition. Don't know how this happened.

It is not windows Seriously - the timers are not done in software but in hardware. There is a clock on the motherboard

COULD be the CMOS battery not strong enough (but not weak enough to loose the time outright).

Not more to suggest.

 

[flipflopper]

Quote from NetTecture:

It is not windows Seriously - the timers are not done in software but in hardware. There is a clock on the motherboard

COULD be the CMOS battery not strong enough (but not weak enough to loose the time outright).

Not more to suggest.

The CMOS battery only comes into play when the computer is turned off.

My computer loses time when the machine is on.

 

[NetTecture]

Then replace the motherboard. Try a separate windows install first, but at the end, the clock is in hardware.

 

[jprad]

Older PC's used to rely on the BIOS clock exclusively, and they were about as accurate as an analog car clock was.

Late model motherboards typically have a separate clock chip that's used while the OS is running, the BIOS clock is only updated when you change the time, either manually or automatically, or when you shutdown the system.

You most likely have a flaky RTC chip and should be able to get it repaired without too much trouble/cost if it's a branded manufacturer.

Otherwise, look out for a weekend computer fair and get a replacement motherboard.

 

[dtrader98]

Quote from jprad:

Older PC's used to rely on the BIOS clock exclusively, and they were about as accurate as an analog car clock was.

Late model motherboards typically have a separate clock chip that's used while the OS is running, the BIOS clock is only updated when you change the time, either manually or automatically, or when you shutdown the system.

You most likely have a flaky RTC chip and should be able to get it repaired without too much trouble/cost if it's a branded manufacturer.

Otherwise, look out for a weekend computer fair and get a replacement motherboard.

Could also be the quartz crystal oscillator resonance frequency has drifted, although, I would assume the RTC should also sync up to small drifts.
Or there is often a pre-scalar that can be set in the RTC IC to recalibrate to the frequency drift, if you know how to set it.
If you have access to an oscilloscope, you can verify each frequency (xtal, and RTC output), to determine if that is the cause. Then recalibrate to offset the drift.

 

[jprad]

Quote from dtrader98:

Could also be the quartz crystal oscillator resonance frequency has drifted, although, I would assume the RTC should also sync up to small drifts.
Or there is often a pre-scalar that can be set in the RTC IC to recalibrate to the frequency drift, if you know how to set it.
If you have access to an oscilloscope, you can verify each frequency (xtal, and RTC output), to determine if that is the cause. Then recalibrate to offset the drift.

Older PC's used crystals, PLL's are standard fare today, much cheaper.

 

[dtrader98]

Quote from jprad:

Older PC's used crystals, PLL's are standard fare today, much cheaper.

I see you haven't built many PLLs
A PLL must have a crystal as a reference somewhere down the line.

 

[flipflopper]

I just spoke to ASUS technical support (I have Rampage Formula motherboard) and they said the battery is used even when the pc is turned on!!

So it's probably a bad battery. Thanks the suggestions from everyone.

 

[IanMacQuaide]

Guess I'll have to find out if Gateway is the same...cuz my laptop does the exact same thing. Stays about 1min late all the time no matter how many times I reset/resynch etc.