Error while synchronizing with net time server

Vista Ultimate SP2

I just noticed that my machine will not synchronize with any of the Internet
time servers. It's set to do so automatically, but I see an error saying "An
error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with [server name].

This happens is I try to sync manually, and it happens with all server (i.e.
time.windows.com, time.nist.gov, time-a.nist.gov, time-b.nist.gov,
time-nw.nist.gov).

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Ken Isaacson
SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller
www.KenIsaacson.com

Ken Isaacson wrote:
> Vista Ultimate SP2
>
> I just noticed that my machine will not synchronize with any of the
> Internet time servers. It's set to do so automatically, but I see
> an error saying "An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing
> with [server name].
> This happens is I try to sync manually, and it happens with all
> server (i.e. time.windows.com, time.nist.gov, time-a.nist.gov,
> time-b.nist.gov, time-nw.nist.gov).
>
> Suggestions?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ken Isaacson
> SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller
> www.KenIsaacson.com

How are you connected to the Internet?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Connected via cable service (Optimum Online)


"Shenan Stanley" <> wrote in message
news:%233q%...
> Ken Isaacson wrote:
>> Vista Ultimate SP2
>>
>> I just noticed that my machine will not synchronize with any of the
>> Internet time servers. It's set to do so automatically, but I see
>> an error saying "An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing
>> with [server name].
>> This happens is I try to sync manually, and it happens with all
>> server (i.e. time.windows.com, time.nist.gov, time-a.nist.gov,
>> time-b.nist.gov, time-nw.nist.gov).
>>
>> Suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Ken Isaacson
>> SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller
>> www.KenIsaacson.com
>
> How are you connected to the Internet?
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>

On 01/06/2010 13:52, Ken Isaacson wrote:
>
> Vista Ultimate SP2
>
> I just noticed that my machine will not synchronize with any of the
> Internet time servers. It's set to do so automatically, but I see an
> error saying "An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with
> [server name].
>
> This happens is I try to sync manually, and it happens with all server
> (i.e. time.windows.com, time.nist.gov, time-a.nist.gov, time-b.nist.gov,
> time-nw.nist.gov).
>
> Suggestions?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ken Isaacson
> SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller
> www.KenIsaacson.com

ntp protocol could be blocked - by your PC firewall or router..


G

Ken Isaacson wrote:
> Connected via cable service (Optimum Online)

A little more detail, please.

Does your computer connect to a SOHO router (Netgear, Linksys, etc) which
connects to a cable modem that you pay for (yourself - not wrapped up in the
service, for example, your apartment complex or similar provides)?

Do you get a public IP address or a private IP address on your computer
itself?

Have you asked your internet service provider and/or tried to connect to a
different network with the same computer elsewhere to see if it works
anywhere other than your home?

Do you have any third-party firewall software installed?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

It looks like McAfee was blocking NTP. I unblocked it, and was able to sync.

Now my question is: Is it alright to leave NTP unblocked?

Many thanks.

"Bigguy" <bigguy@under_radar.com> wrote in message
news:...
> On 01/06/2010 13:52, Ken Isaacson wrote:
>>
>> Vista Ultimate SP2
>>
>> I just noticed that my machine will not synchronize with any of the
>> Internet time servers. It's set to do so automatically, but I see an
>> error saying "An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with
>> [server name].
>>
>> This happens is I try to sync manually, and it happens with all server
>> (i.e. time.windows.com, time.nist.gov, time-a.nist.gov, time-b.nist.gov,
>> time-nw.nist.gov).
>>
>> Suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Ken Isaacson
>> SILENT COUNSEL, a legal thriller
>> www.KenIsaacson.com
>
> ntp protocol could be blocked - by your PC firewall or router..
>
>
> G

Ken Isaacson wrote:
> It looks like McAfee was blocking NTP. I unblocked it, and was able
> to sync.
> Now my question is: Is it alright to leave NTP unblocked?
>
> Many thanks.

Much safer than leaving McAfee (whatever suite) you have installed is. ;-)

My suggestion (re: McAfee) - uninstall it, put on something like Avira
AntiVir (free) or eSet NOD32 (~$59/2 years for home) and use the built in
Windows Firewall along with ocassional scans with MalwareBytes (free) or
purchase it (~$29) and have active protection. You'll free up resources
(make your machine faster/run better) and have most likely better protection
than <cAfee is alluding to give you.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html