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General discussion

Automatic Time Server Sync Error

May 11, 2007 7:15AM PDT

All ... I've got a new Dell Dimension E521 desktop running Vista Home Premium. The function that enables automatic time/date synchronization from the popular time servers simply reports an error; there's no message number nor any further info. Thinking there's something wrong with the servers offered in the list, I tried a few of the Naval Observatory's servers too, but I get the same error.

Dell is stumped thus far and I've noticed others reporting this problem on Microsoft's discussion groups, but there's no fix mentioned yet.

Has anyone else seen this problem on Vista and/or a Dell E521? Anyone know the fix? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Vista Automatic Time Server Sync Error
May 16, 2007 8:49AM PDT

I have a new Dell E521 and Vista Home Premium. I experience the exact problem. I found running this on the command prompt will resync the time. But it will unsync again though. Sad

net stop w32time
w32tm /unregister
w32tm /unregister
w32tm /register
reg add hklm\system\currentcontrolset\services\w32time\parameters\ /v NtpServer /t reg_sz /d time.nist.gov /f
net start w32time
w32tm /resync

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Time Server Error
Jun 10, 2007 9:40PM PDT

I have a Dell Dimension E520 running Windows Vista Home Premium. I am currently experiencing the same problem with time synchronization. Is there a fix for this yet?

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Mine Got Fixed by "Magic"
Jun 11, 2007 12:06AM PDT

Russell,

Mine works now, but the reason is still a mystery to me.

I had given up because there was no fix coming from Dell and I didn't have time to exhaustively check the web for all possible fixes. But mine is working, now.

As I checked Dell's web site, in the case of my system (an E521), I noticed there was a BIOS update and several driver updates. I was REALLY optimistic after successfully installing all those. However, they didn't fix it.

A couple of weeks later, some Windows updates were released. I cannot be sure which one fixed it; in fact, there's also the possibility that the fix occurred from the combination of the BIOS update and the Windows updates, but that's just speculation on my part.

Therefore, may I suggest that you get all your Windows updates AND check the drivers, etc., for your particular system. I'd like to know whether that will fix your time sync problem.

Good luck.

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Time Server Error
Jul 5, 2007 1:43AM PDT

Try different time servers. Mine works with time-nw.nist.gov
Hope this solves your problem

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Time Server access Blocked by Firewall
May 11, 2008 3:10AM PDT

I had similar problems and tried all the steps listed here. Finally I disabled my McAfee firewall and the time resynched instantly.
Looks like I'll have to add an exception there.

Good Luck.

-DJ