windows 7 clock is not sync'ing... should be a simple problem to fix but it's not...

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i installed win7 x64 on a dell m1330 laptop. it appears that Dell is not supporting this OS, based on the fact that for driver downloads, it only goes up to vista x64.
i figure it'd be safe to use those drivers.

turns out i have 3 unknown devices, which i left alone, seeing that the system ran fine regardless.

so one side effect is that the clock doesn't update. it keeps the time while the system is up and running, but stops as soon as it is shut down or goes to sleep.

for example:
1. turn on the system at 9am (lets assume the time is correct)
2. shut down or sleep system at 9:10 (time still properly shows 9:10)
3. wake system at 9:30 (time will show time of last time it was awake, e.g. 9:10)

i can force a sync by going to the time properties, verify that it's syncing with an internet time server, then hit update.

i tried enabling an auto start of windows time service, but that didn't help.
i also noticed on other W7 systems that Windows time is disabled by default.

anyone know a fix?
could it possibly be the 3 unknown devices?

 

[sivart]

Have you tried syncing with something other than time.windows.com?

Maybe a CMOS battery issue?

I have Windows 7 on a Dell 640m (highest drivers are Windows XP) and have found all devices without any issues. I wouldn't think that would effect it as most drivers are for hardware and the clock is software.

Might also want to check to see if there are any BIOS updates.

 

[ModestGamer]

Have you tried syncing with something other than time.windows.com?

Maybe a CMOS battery issue?

I have Windows 7 on a Dell 640m (highest drivers are Windows XP) and have found all devices without any issues. I wouldn't think that would effect it as most drivers are for hardware and the clock is software.

Might also want to check to see if there are any BIOS updates.

Date and time "beyond network syncronization updates, to the internet etc" are in fact stored on bios.

 

[RebateMonger]

Check the time in the BIOS, pull the plug and pull the main battery for five minutes, and then put the battery back in and see if the CMOS has lost its settings.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

if it was a CMOS battery issue, wouldn't it reset to 00:00:00 1/1/1990 or whatever each time it was booted up?

 

[dawks]

if it was a CMOS battery issue, wouldn't it reset to 00:00:00 1/1/1990 or whatever each time it was booted up?

Dont think so. Never seen that happen, even with a bad battery. My guess is Windows is saving the last time it knew of when it was shutdown. And restoring back to that, then using the BIOS/CPU clock to advance the time as normal.

It could be one of those 3 devices too, one might be a chipset driver or something silly.

 

[RebateMonger]

if it was a CMOS battery issue, wouldn't it reset to 00:00:00 1/1/1990 or whatever each time it was booted up?

Only if the main laptop battery is pulled or dead. It's a quick, easy test and should let you know if your problem is software-related (Windows Services or drivers as you mentioned) or if there's a hardware issue.

You could also boot to a Linux Live CD and see if the time function works properly. That also removes Windows drivers and services from the equation.