Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Clock gaining time

Sep 1, 2007 11:27PM PDT

(OS 10.4.10, Safari 2.0.4)

The clock has gained about 5 minutes. I think it has been 2-3 weeks since it was correct. I did a search on all CNt Mac forums, but couldn't find a reference. (Hope I didn't miss it.)

I don't know if this is a related issue, but this morning Safari "quit unexpectedly" when I clicked on a post in the applications/ utilities forum. Nothing would load. I restarted, but still nothing would load. The url would be correct but only www. would be blue. I finally got mail to load, sent myself a test email , and here I am.

Software up to date.

Thanks.

Angeline

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
if you get on the web regularly,
Sep 2, 2007 1:00AM PDT

how about letting OSX check/set the time.

In your Preferences, select Date/Time. Put a check mark in "Set date & time automatically". Pick a clock source... If that is already done and your time is still too fast, pick another clock source.

I have the same issue with my Compaq/HP laptop (running Windows XP Pro) when I don't connect it to the net for a while...

As for the unexpected quitting... I have not experienced what you reported, but my first step in troubleshooting would be to restart the machine. Consider repairing permissions using Disk Utility.

- Collapse -
Thank you !
Sep 4, 2007 7:07AM PDT

The time zone city, though in the correct zone, was not the closest one to me. I changed it to the one closest to me, and the time is now correct over the past 2 days. It is set on automatic.

It's good to learn that my restarting the machine was a proper step to take.

I appreciate your help!!!

Angeline

- Collapse -
(NT) You are very welcome.
Sep 4, 2007 7:35AM PDT
- Collapse -
As long as you are in the correct time zone
Sep 4, 2007 10:00AM PDT

the actual city set in the Date and Time CP are not important.
What is important, and what fixed your lagging time, was the Automatic setting.

Your Mac will check with the Time Server and automatically correct the time if it is incorrect. It does this as long as the Mac is on and connected to the Internet (Broadband always on connection) You do not have to be surfing for it to happen.

You can see the spectacular results by changing the date and time to something totally off the wall, and the instant you hit the Apply Now button, the correct date and time reappear. No restart necessary


P

- Collapse -
Still doesn't fix the original issue.
Sep 10, 2007 4:36AM PDT

It's like plastering over a hole. It's no longer an annoyance, but realistically, the problem is still there. Obviously something is a little wierd with the hardware or BIOS battery or whatever. Do Macs even have BIOS batteries ?!

- Collapse -
Computer clocks
Sep 10, 2007 9:50AM PDT

are not noted for their accuracy. Certainly not as accurate as the atomic clocks from which the Time Servers take their cue.
Using a time server is excellent way of ensuring that your computer clock is as accurate as possible, rather like those "Radio Controlled" clocks that receive a time signal from WWV at Fort Collins, CO.

In a location with 300 brand new Dell's, I can tell you that after the first month you would be hard pushed to find any coherence with each computers time. Bring in a time server, sync on logon and all the machines are using the same time.

I suppose what might be considered strange is you deciding that something is wrong with the BIOS battery and then asking if Mac's actually have a BIOS battery.

P

- Collapse -
Your iBook
Sep 10, 2007 9:53AM PDT

does not have a BIOS battery

P