clock on Windows XP

I have Windows XP on my computer. Is the clock on
the lower right hand side of my screen set to
atomic time on Windows XP computers? Thank you.

 

Yes, it does so once each day (may be each week) by default but can be altered to change that interval by editing the registry.

Right click it and choose Adjust Date/Time > Internet Time and you'll see the way it is currently set.

 

For completion:

I have mine set for once a day. Here's where you'll find the Value String in the Registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config]
"LastClockRate "=dword:0002625a
"MinClockRate "=dword:000260d4
"MaxClockRate "=dword:000263e0
"FrequencyCorrectRate "=dword:00000004
"PollAdjustFactor "=dword:00000005
"LargePhaseOffset "=dword:00138800
"SpikeWatchPeriod "=dword:0000005a
"HoldPeriod "=dword:00000005
"MaxPollInterval "=dword:0000000f
"LocalClockDispersion "=dword:0000000a
"EventLogFlags "=dword:00000002
"PhaseCorrectRate "=dword:00000001
"MinPollInterval "=dword:0000000a
"UpdateInterval "=dword:00015180
"MaxNegPhaseCorrection "=dword:0000d2f0
"MaxPosPhaseCorrection "=dword:0000d2f0
"AnnounceFlags "=dword:0000000a
"MaxAllowedPhaseOffset "=dword:00000001

The value you see (15180) is listed in hexadecimal and equals 86400 in decimal format. That is seconds so it translates to 24 hours. When you edit the String Value, you will have the option of either hexadecimal or decimal, make it easy on yourself.

 

To Zephyr: Thank you for your message. I did what you suggested. The screen states that "The time has been successfully synchronized with time.windows.com on 12/21/2002 at 6:16 AM ". What is time.windows.com? Is that similar to atomic time? What is an internet time server?

 

That's one of the Windows chosen time bases. The other is time.nist.gov. Both are syncronized to the atomic clock so either one that works for you will be fine. From what you posted, it appears that your interval is set for weekly. i.e., It gave yesterday as the last sync date and didn't mention today.

There are dozens of Internet Time servers. They are used for a multitude of reasons in this day and age of split second accuracy of time required for everything from cell phones to ATM's and POS equipment.

Here's the Big Boss clock that all the U.S. standards use.

Don't get me started on TIME, since it's an arbitrary concept and in reality we can only measure intervals. You can never be certain about the rest of it. It's all based on the motion of the sun and earth, which is erratic to a degree, so the atomic clock has to be fudged occasionally to compensate.

And even though you didn't ask, Time as a Concept may be interesting nonetheless.

 

Zephyr

I think you have taught me all I want to know about time.

I already knew.......

Used to have a lot

now have little

Christmas used to seem to never get here

Now it seems to come every 3 months

time is running out....................................

Mike