Why does the time on my mac gradually get ahead

poolzey89 · poolzey89 #1 (**permalink**)

01-12-2012, 03:32 PM

It sounds weird but the time on my mac gradually gets ahead, over time.

I reset the clock about a month ago to exactly the right time, and now it's 8 minutes fast.

I know it's not much, but that's weird right??

What's going on???????

BTW - Serious post. lol

IvanLasston · IvanLasston #2 (**permalink**)

01-12-2012, 03:40 PM

Do you have a network connection? If so why not use network time?
 -> System preferences -> Date & Time -> Date & Time Tab -> check "Set date and time automatically"

Computer clocks are notorious for drifts - always better to use ntp when you can.

Raz0rEdge · Raz0rEdge #3 (**permalink**)

01-12-2012, 03:44 PM

Do you have Mac to set time automatically or are you constantly setting it yourself? Every RTC has some jitter in it, some more than others and they will drift..setting the option to setting the time automatically will ensure that you are syncing with a remote NTP (network time protocol) server and correcting your local time. The sync should be happening frequently enough that you wouldn't/shouldn't notice any drift..

RavingMac · RavingMac #4 (**permalink**)

01-12-2012, 03:56 PM

Proximity to the Bermuda Triangle or an intergalactic wormhole?

BTW - Not a serious post

poolzey89 · poolzey89 #5 (**permalink**)

01-12-2012, 04:02 PM

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good replies

petercrowell · petercrowell #6 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 10:23 AM

Your computer is from the future and is trying to return home.

dekan · dekan #7 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 06:39 PM

Maybe the Mac was right and all the other clocks just way too slow?

EndlessMac · EndlessMac #8 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekan

Maybe the Mac was right and all the other clocks just way too slow?

Maybe it's just ahead of its time. Literally.

BrianLachoreVPI · BrianLachoreVPI #9 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndlessMac

Maybe it's just ahead of its time. Literally.

A definite Razorism...

Marrk · Marrk #10 (**permalink**)

01-14-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanLasston

Do you have a network connection? If so why not use network time?
 -> System preferences -> Date & Time -> Date & Time Tab -> check "Set date and time automatically"

Computer clocks are notorious for drifts - always better to use ntp when you can.

So, what exactly is time.apple.com? Is it linked to a government time standard perhaps? Or GMT? Or UTC?

vansmith · vansmith #11 (**permalink**)

01-14-2012, 11:23 AM

time.apple.com is one of Apple's NTP servers (this old article suggests that Apple has three). NTP servers are simply servers set up such that clients (such as your machine) can synchronize their time.

Marrk · Marrk #12 (**permalink**)

01-14-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansmith

time.apple.com is one of Apple's NTP servers (this old article suggests that Apple has three). NTP servers are simply servers set up such that clients (such as your machine) can synchronize their time.

Okay. But what is the NTP server synchronized to? What time keeping standard?

IvanLasston · IvanLasston #13 (**permalink**)

01-14-2012, 11:45 AM

ntp.org: Home of the Network Time Protocol
Ntp is the network time protocol. It is a pyramid of servers. Basically the top level servers are atomic clock synchronized. They pass sync info on down the chain until it gets to individual users.

Marrk · Marrk #14 (**permalink**)

01-14-2012, 11:48 AM

Thanks.

That seems like an odd way to do things. I mean, wouldn't that "passing down" process involve time delay and, therefore, inaccuracy? Or am misunderstanding?

IvanLasston · IvanLasston #15 (**permalink**)

01-14-2012, 12:00 PM

If you are worried about that short of a delay - you are getting into quantum physics. Most drift shouldn't be more than a few milliseconds a day ( that may even be a lot) most ntp requests are once a day. It is a pyramid due to server load.

RavingMac #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 07, 2008 Location: In Denial Posts: 6,844 Mac Specs: 4GB Mac Mini 2012, 13" MBA, 15" MacBook Pro OSX 10.7, 32 GB iPhone 3GS, iPad2 64gb 3G	01-12-2012, 03:56 PM Proximity to the Bermuda Triangle or an intergalactic wormhole? BTW - Not a serious post Of course, I know everything . . . I just can't remember it all at once.
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,451 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	01-14-2012, 11:23 AM time.apple.com is one of Apple's NTP servers (this old article suggests that Apple has three). NTP servers are simply servers set up such that clients (such as your machine) can synchronize their time. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

Marrk #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 24, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 164	01-14-2012, 11:48 AM Thanks. That seems like an odd way to do things. I mean, wouldn't that "passing down" process involve time delay and, therefore, inaccuracy? Or am misunderstanding? MacBook Pro 13.3" 2.66 GHz OS 10.6.8
	QUOTE Thanks

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Why does the time on my mac gradually get ahead

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poolzey89 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 07, 2011 Posts: 4	01-12-2012, 03:32 PM It sounds weird but the time on my mac gradually gets ahead, over time. I reset the clock about a month ago to exactly the right time, and now it's 8 minutes fast. I know it's not much, but that's weird right?? What's going on??????? BTW - Serious post. lol
	QUOTE Thanks

IvanLasston #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 26, 2010 Location: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado Posts: 2,116 Mac Specs: 1.8 GHz i7 MBA 11" OSX 10.8.2	01-12-2012, 03:40 PM Do you have a network connection? If so why not use network time?  -> System preferences -> Date & Time -> Date & Time Tab -> check "Set date and time automatically" Computer clocks are notorious for drifts - always better to use ntp when you can.
	QUOTE Thanks

poolzey89 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 07, 2011 Posts: 4	01-12-2012, 04:02 PM Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good replies
	QUOTE Thanks

petercrowell #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 09, 2012 Posts: 20	01-13-2012, 10:23 AM Your computer is from the future and is trying to return home.
	QUOTE Thanks

dekan #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 16, 2007 Posts: 756	01-13-2012, 06:39 PM Maybe the Mac was right and all the other clocks just way too slow?
	QUOTE Thanks

IvanLasston #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 26, 2010 Location: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado Posts: 2,116 Mac Specs: 1.8 GHz i7 MBA 11" OSX 10.8.2	01-14-2012, 11:45 AM ntp.org: Home of the Network Time Protocol Ntp is the network time protocol. It is a pyramid of servers. Basically the top level servers are atomic clock synchronized. They pass sync info on down the chain until it gets to individual users.
	QUOTE Thanks

IvanLasston #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 26, 2010 Location: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado Posts: 2,116 Mac Specs: 1.8 GHz i7 MBA 11" OSX 10.8.2	01-14-2012, 12:00 PM If you are worried about that short of a delay - you are getting into quantum physics. Most drift shouldn't be more than a few milliseconds a day ( that may even be a lot) most ntp requests are once a day. It is a pyramid due to server load.
	QUOTE Thanks

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