Time Synchronization task fails

[cncb]

I have noticed that occasionally the system time is a little off on my Windows 8 PCs. It turns out that the "SynchronizeTime" task always fails (0x5) so the time is never synced unless I do it manually. I notice that the "Windows Time" service is not running and is set to "Manual (Trigger Start)". Does anyone else have this problem and know how to fix it? I read online where someone said that this is an "Access Denied" error and that Windows 7 runs this task as "Local Service" user instead of "Network Service" but I tried changing this to "Local Service" and still get the same error.

[barnabas1969]

Just create a scheduled task that runs once or twice a day. Add two actions to it.

The first action should do this:
%windir%\system32\sc.exe start w32time task_started

The second action should do this:
%windir%\system32\w32tm.exe /resync

You may also want to change your time server in the Control Panel. I use time.nist.gov.

[cncb]

Thanks. The existing task had the first action so I added the second action to it and changed it to run as the "Local Service" user and it now completes successfully. The question is why do I have to do this on both my Windows 8.1 PCs? I wonder if WMC somehow messes this up?

[barnabas1969]

No, it's just that the default implementation isn't very good. I think you really should have added a new task and scheduled it to run daily instead of changing the built-in task. The trigger for the default task won't cause it to run frequently enough to keep your clock accurate enough so that your recordings start on time.

[n0mdep]

Disable the scheduled events in Windows and use this instead: http://www.timesynctool.com/

It is tiny and it has worked flawlessly for me so far.

[barnabas1969]

Not sure how installing an application is any easier than adding a scheduled task (which takes zero additional resources until it runs, and then only for a split second). Here... I'll make it uber-easy for you. I've attached a zip file.

1) Download it, unzip it, and open the file "Sync Clock.xml" with your favorite text editor (e.g. Notepad).
2) Press CTRL+H on your keyboard.
3) In the "Find what" box, type "MYPC\MyUsername" (without the quotes).
4) In the "Replace with" box, type the name of your computer, followed by a back-slash, followed by the username you login to your HTPC with. For example, if your PC is named HTPC, and your user is named fubar, type "HTPC\fubar" (without the quotes).
5) Press the "Replace All" button.
6) Save.
7) Open Task Scheduler, and navigate to the "Task Scheduler Library" folder on the left side. You can optionally create a new folder if you want.
8) On the right side, click "Import Task..."
9) Select the file you saved in step 6, and click "Open".

Done.

[cncb]

Thanks but just modifying the existing task that already runs daily was easy enough.

[Crash2009]

You can lead a horse to water.....

[barnabas1969]

Thanks but just modifying the existing task that already runs daily was easy enough.

I don't think that was a wise decision.

[Dkeyguy1]

We did this for Windows 7......
http://www.pretentiousname.com/timesync/index.html
A similar task for 8 ?

[barnabas1969]

We did this for Windows 7......
http://www.pretentiousname.com/timesync/index.html
A similar task for 8 ?

Yes, exactly. This will work in Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1. You can either follow the manual steps in your link, or you can just follow my instructions in post #6 above.

[newfiend]

Thanks for this thread, been wanting to implement this for awhile and been lazy about getting around to it. This makes it uber easy thanks Barnabas =)

[newfiend]

Implemented Barnabas's task last night. Went without a hitch. Thanks for the detailed instructions. Now I no longer have to check my clock manually to make sure its accurate. Thank you.

[barnabas1969]

The only way to make it easier is a self-installer. If I remember and have time, I might do that.

[offroad]

Was wondering about this.

[newfiend]

Yeah a self installer would be great if you get the time. Appreciate you taking the time to help with this. You would think MS would have fixed this small issue a long time ago.

[poit57]

Thanks but just modifying the existing task that already runs daily was easy enough.

I don't think that was a wise decision.

I tried modifying the built-in time synchronization task to match the parameters at http://www.pretentiousname.com/timesync/index.html. I don't know if I missed a settings or something, but the task failed when I tested it. I reset the task to its default settings and created the new task manually. Now my time syncs once a day with no issues.

It seems like the built-in tyme synch task was modified between Windows 7 and Windows 8, but it still doesn't keep the time updated like it should.

[newfiend]

I used Barnabas's instructions above and added the task to task scheduler. It runs daily and my recordings all start on time now where before some would start later than they were supposed to. This worked extremely well and was easy to implement. Just my 2 cents.. I'm in agreement that modifying the built in time sync task probably isn't the best idea.
newfiend