New MBA - computer clock 5 minutes fast

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Level 1

12 points

New MBA - computer clock 5 minutes fast

Hi there,

I bought my new MacBook Air last week and unboxed it today.

First problem I noted is that the clock time is 5 minutes fast. I don't know why.

I clicked "Set date and time automatically" (tried different servers), as well as having clicked "Set time zone automatically using current location". Still, the clock is precisely 5 minutes fast than it should be. The laptop IS connected to the internet and I have re-started it a couple of times. Still, 5 minutes fast.

Why is that the case? And how can it be resolved? (I would prefer not to manually reset the time).

(I am not transferring any files to this computer until the time issue is resolved because of concerns over time stamp).

Any insight is appreciated!

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Dec 12, 2014 5:26 AM

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Answer 1

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Dec 12, 2014 5:19 PM in response to yinsdianao

When you have your mac set to set the date and time automatically (and select an appropriate host in the drop down list - either US, Asia or Europe) what actually happens is that periodically your Mac will ask the remote time server "what time is it" and the time gets set. If you uncheck that "Set data and time automatically" checkbox, you can manually change the time. If you recheck that box, it should immediately ask the remote time server the time and then change it. This assumes you have connectivity to the internet and the remote time server. If you have no internet connectivity this method will not work as it can't talk to the remote time server.

My suggestion would be to uncheck this "set date and time automatically" checkbox, change the time manually (advance it 15 minutes for example), then recheck the box and see if the time changes very quickly (normally less than a second). Does this work or not?

Is there any problems with your network or router to your ISP or anything like that?

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 12, 2014 3:32 PM in response to yinsdianao

The warranty entitles you to complimentary phone support for the first 90 days of ownership.

If you bought the product in the U.S. directly from Apple (not from a reseller), you have 14 days from the date of delivery in which to exchange or return it for a refund. In other countries, the return policy may be different. If you bought from a reseller, its return policy applies.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 12, 2014 5:36 PM in response to yinsdianao

You paid for a computer that works perfectly. If Apple can't solve the problem, you should exchange it for one that does work perfectly, or else return it for a refund.

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Answer 4

yinsdianao Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 12, 2014 5:08 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thank you Linc for your reply. I thought the clock issue could be fixed with a simple procedure, which is why I posted the question here.

Do you think that this should not happen in a new machine, and therefore exchange/refund should be contemplated (among other things)? I bought it directly from Apple Singapore, and I think a similar refund/exchange policy exists here.

I read somewhere else that time discrepancy is usually caused by an in-built battery. Do you think that might be the problem here (that is, a hardware issue)?

thanks

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Answer 5

yinsdianao Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 12, 2014 5:57 PM in response to dot.com

Hi, thanks for your reply. There are no problems with my network or router that I am aware of. After I checked 'Set time zone automatically using current location', MBA correctly pinpoints my location (Singapore) and sets the time zone accordingly.

And I already have another mac (MBP) whose time is accurate (and synced to the same apple server).

But I will try the method you suggested, and see if it works. I don't have access to my MBA right now.

But it is rather annoying to encounter any problems in a new computer, right? If it cannot be solved, I will definitely look into an exchange or refund as linc suggested...

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Answer 6

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Dec 12, 2014 8:52 PM in response to yinsdianao

I agree that if there is a problem with the computer keeping time that is a good reason to take it back for exchange or refund or whatever you decide, but if it is a simple case of the computer not able to get out to the internet to talk to the ntp time server (ntp is the protocol that OS X uses to talk to time.apple.com to get the current time and change it if the computer is off a bit) is a possibility worth finding out to get the time set to the current time that is something that getting a new computer will not fix either I would guess.

Can the user manually set the time and it keeps good time after that? they haven't said whether they tried this or not. If they have and it still doesn't keep pretty good time perhaps something really is wrong with it. But until OP says more of what he has and hasn't done, more cant really be said

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Answer 7

yinsdianao Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 13, 2014 12:48 AM in response to dot.com

Ok, the problem has been resolved.

I first tried the method you suggested earlier:

"My suggestion would be to uncheck this "set date and time automatically" checkbox, change the time manually (advance it 15 minutes for example), then recheck the box and see if the time changes very quickly (normally less than a second). Does this work or not?"

I unchecked the checkbox and advanced the time 17 minutes forward and then rechecked the box. Nothing happened. The computer time now was 22 minutes fast. So I rebooted the computer. Still, the time was 22 minutes fast. I unchecked and rechecked the box again. Still, nothing changed.

I then re-read your entire response and focused on the following part:

"This assumes you have connectivity to the internet and the remote time server."

While I do have connectivity to the internet, I began to wonder whether there is something blocking my access to the remote time server. I am writing this from a university where I am using the university network (which prohibits certain things such as IMAP and POP3, and possibly other stuff as well). Usually when I need to bypass their restrictions, I use the VPN.

So, I connected my computer via VPN, unchecked and re-checked the box. The time immediately changed to what it should be. Apparently then, it is the university network setting that prevents things from being synced. How awful!

I am glad that I sorted out the problem, and know that the computer is (or seems to be) fine after all...

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Answer 8

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Dec 13, 2014 1:46 PM in response to yinsdianao

Glad to hear your problem is fixed. You might want to mention to the IT folks at your school about letting NTP protocol outgoing requests and replies thru their firewall, but not positive that this might be potential problems. They will know far better than I about whether this is OK or not.

You might want to mark the reply I gave as an answer so if others have a similar problem they can see what to try to do to resolve the issue.

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Answer 9

nysmweb

Level 1

0 points

Feb 23, 2015 7:25 AM in response to yinsdianao

How did you test your connection to the time server. I am able to ping it successfully but I'm experiencing the same problem you are. Is it possible a port isn't open on my end that actually delivers the time to the computer?

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