# why does my computer suddenly think I am two time zones east of here? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431 "2018-08-11T16:14:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/1 "2018-08-11T16:14:11Z")
I kind of know the answer, because I went to settings and found out if I set the computer to my time zone it’s correct, but if I use the default options of either use my IP address or my wifi to set the clock, those both think I am two time zones east. so why did they, is my question. but that wouldn’t fit in the title. :o ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/2 "2018-08-11T16:29:56Z")
How old is your computer? When did this start? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/3 "2018-08-11T16:31:59Z")
I think this indicates that the ISP or your employer (depending on whether this is a personal or corporate computer) has its Internet connection two times zones east. I think you’d also find that Google News, for example, will show you news from two time zones east. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/4 "2018-08-11T17:21:35Z")
Are you certain you aren’t 2 time zones east of where you think you are? VPN? ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/5 "2018-08-11T17:27:50Z")
It may only be metaphorical but judging by its frequency I tend to believe it is more than that, and this is the reason why I want to point out the use of the verb ‘think’ when referring to the way a data processing machine functions is at least confusing because, for instance, if I find out my neighbor thinks it is 10am when the current time at our location is actually 8am I can wonder about what he really knows or how he got the wrong impression, which is nonsensical in the case of a computer - a computer does not know the data it stores or/and processes, and gets not impression about it or based on it. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/6 "2018-08-12T01:45:36Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > How old is your computer? When did this start? 2 years old and I’m not sure, only noticed it this morning. used to be accurate I’m sure. Dewey Finn, that’s what I said - the ISP or the wifi is suddenly 2 time zones east. but why? UY Scuti - it is totally a metaphor - I don’t think my computer thinks. I don’t mind the mystery so much but I wish it was more interesting. really dull question, isn’t it. :rolleyes: but I woke up, I got online, I noticed and I wanted to take my new avatar out for a test flight. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-computer-suddenly-think-i-am-two-time-zones-east-of-here/819431/7 "2018-08-12T02:02:33Z")
The ISP may have changed the data center that provides your connection.