# Geeks, A Computer Clock Question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 11, 2001, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711 "2001-11-11T01:10:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/1 "2001-11-11T01:10:24Z")

</div>

In about the last month, I’ve noticed that my computer clock was behind. I reset it, and not long after I noticed that it was running slow again. I reset it today and after two hours, it is already 3 minutes slow. Is there a way to adjust/calibrate the timekeeping?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![milo\_minderbinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@milo\_minderbinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milo_minderbinder)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/2 "2001-11-11T01:30:01Z")

</div>

AFAIK most problems with computers losing time are caused by a dodgy battery on the mobo. How old is your system?

milo

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/3 "2001-11-11T01:35:20Z")

</div>

You could try one of these [clock synchronizers](http://xlink.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/xlink/xlink/search.html?Uch=&Utext=synchronize+clock&db=zd).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/4 "2001-11-11T01:42:19Z")

</div>

This one is [free](http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,80335,.html). You can even pick which atomic clock you want it to synchronize to.

Sorry for posting twice in a row but that was a fun one.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/5 "2001-11-11T01:46:05Z")

</div>

The synchronizers are fine, but if the clock runs noticeably slow as indicated in the OP, then it’s a definite sign the battery is dying. It needs to be replaced, since if it goes completely dead, the computer will lose all its configuration information every time you turn it off.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/6 "2001-11-11T02:03:14Z")

</div>

Thanks much guys. It’s a Sony Vaio, and it’s about 3 three years old. I just thought it was odd because my 6 year old puter still keeps perfect time. Gratsi.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geeks-a-computer-clock-question/92711/7 "2001-11-11T15:58:52Z")

</div>

slow clocks are talked about here already.

it depends if the time is slow in DOS or Windows or both. why don’t you check the time at the dos prompt?