Synchronize with an Internet Time Server

[Brian Kurtz]

HELP!!!

Under Windows XP, I can not get the Clock to synchronize with an Internet
Time Server. It seems that it worked once upon a time when I first got the
computer, however, over the course of time and installation of a 100+
patches from Microsoft, the service no longer works. The steps that I have
performed on many different occasions are:
1) System
a) All the lastest patches and updates have been applied to system
including WinXP-SP2.
b) NAT'd machine behind DSL modem.
1) Firewall
a) Makes no difference if disabled or enabled
b) Makes no difference if using Norton 2003 -or- Windows Firewall (SP2).
2) Successfully ping the selected time server (time.nist.gov).
3) Results in same message An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing
with time.nist.gov
4) OK, try another (and another) time server but results in same error.
5) although some time servers show they are unreachable (so, I ignore those
servers).

Is anyone else having problems synchronizing Clock with an Internet Time
Server?

 

[Bill James]

The error message would be helpful.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[Brian Kurtz]

It does not indicate what the error was just.."An error occurred while
Windows was synchronizing with time.nist.gov".

The error message would be helpful.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[PA Bear]

[I *hate* when that happens.]

It does not indicate what the error was just.."An error occurred while
Windows was synchronizing with time.nist.gov".

The error message would be helpful.

 

[Bill James]

You might be able to see a more complete error message in the Event viewer.

Since there are a lot of possible reasons for the failure, you might want to research a few online articles. I don't know how technical you are, so here is a range of articles:

http://www.winnetmag.com/Windows/Articles/ArticleID/26697/pg/1/1.html
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=216734
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/howitworks/security/wintimeserv.asp

A bunch of alternate time server sources: http://ntp.isc.org/bin/view/Servers/StratumOneTimeServers

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[Guest]

Here's another:

http://www.worldtimeserver.com/atomic-clock/

It's what I use, free!!!

 

[Alex Nichol]

2) Successfully ping the selected time server (time.nist.gov).
3) Results in same message An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing
with time.nist.gov
4) OK, try another (and another) time server but results in same error.

Try unregistering and re-registering the Time service; this may well do
the trick.

1. Start->Run cmd.exe
2. net stop w32time
3. w32tm.exe /unregister
4. w32tm.exe /register
5. net start w32time

(note spellings w32tm and w32time in different commands)

 

[Georgia]

Hi,
I was getting the message "An error occurred getting the status of the last
synchronization. The RPC server is unavailable." This was not really a
concern since I use another time sync program. I ran the commands suggested
by Alex Nichol and XP's time synchronization now works.

Thank you, Georgia

 

[Alex Nichol]

I was getting the message "An error occurred getting the status of the last
synchronization. The RPC server is unavailable." This was not really a
concern since I use another time sync program. I ran the commands suggested
by Alex Nichol and XP's time synchronization now works.

Glad to hear it, and for the feedback. It is very useful to get
confirmation of these things working - gives more confidence in
suggesting it next time