Network time is 40-seconds off!

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Level 1

15 points

Network time is 40-seconds off!

This is a mind-boggler! I have two Macs side-by-side, a Power Mac G4 and a G4 iBook. Both are connected (wirelessly) to my Airport Extreme Base station which is about eight feet away. The iBook displays time that is about forty seonds ahead of my G4 Power Mac and an "Atomic" Digital Clock that is mounted on the wall above the Power Mac. For a long time I thought the iBook was not receiving the Apple Time Server signal even though I have that port opened in the Firewall. A short while ago I read in the Discussion Group about intentionally setting the Date/Time incorrectly with the Time Server disabled and then enabling it. I quickly tried that and to my amazement and chagrin found the the date/time was corrected but the time displayed was once again 40 seconds ahead of both the Power Mac and wall clock.

Any thoughts? Not a show-stopper, but surely a mystery.

Dual Processer 1.25 GHz G4 MDD Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1.25 GB RAM, AirPort Extreme & DSL

Posted on Dec 27, 2005 4:03 PM

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Answer 1

KWBEAR Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 7, 2006 6:03 AM in response to KWBEAR

The problem persists! The time is now over 1 minute ahead of the correct time. I've tried manually setting the time to incorrect time and then rechecking the Auto time Set. No change. I've also tried both the European and Asian Time Servers. No change either.

Isn't anyone curious/interested in thsi strangeness?

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Answer 2

Jan 7, 2006 7:59 AM in response to KWBEAR

Hi KenW.

I'm a little perfectionist and also care about such dirty little things as you have one there. Can it be possible that the Apple Time Servers are not as accurate as they should be? Why not try another, just to be sure?

According to BIPM (Bureau International des Poids et Mesures) the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is responsible for the time in the USA. NIST has some alternative network time servers available for you to use.

-nico

PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

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Answer 3

Jan 7, 2006 8:05 AM in response to KWBEAR

I'm very curious, but couldn't possibly suggest what's causing it! Please post back if you solve the problem.

Matt

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Answer 4

Feb 12, 2006 4:20 AM in response to KWBEAR

I tried a few others of the network time servers and they didn't seem to have any noticeable impact on the time... I've noticed that within the last week or so that my EyeTV recordings have begun recording approximately 3 minutes before the show actually starts (with a recording start of 2 min before time)... this would seem to imply that my clock is about 1 min fast...

This stinks when I am recording another show after because it cuts off my first show just barely...

I guess I could try manually setting the clock but that's not a good solution... any progress on this?

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