topic Re: clock goes into a loop in Operating System - Linux

clock goes into a loop

NPD USER — Thu, 06 Nov 2003 11:31:15 GMT

I have a netserver LPR with Redhat 8.0 installed. For some reason, every now and then the clock goes into a loop. The seconds will get stuck in a 5 second loop.
ex: 5,6,7,8,9,10,5,6,7,8,9,10
We would then reboot the server to resolve the issue. Does anyone know why this would happen?

Thanks,
Scott

Re: clock goes into a loop

Steven E. Protter — Thu, 06 Nov 2003 11:32:51 GMT

Most likely this is a BIOS or clock battery problem. Have the battery replaced and then check and possibly update the bios.

The Clocks on computers are scandalously inaccurate, but this is ridiculous.

SEP

Re: clock goes into a loop

Ian Hillier — Fri, 07 Nov 2003 10:14:51 GMT

I don't think it's a problem with the bios or the battery, or it would re-manifest quite quickly after a reboot.

I have the same issue on an LP1000r running kernel 2.4.18-19.7 but it only happens when the time changes because of daylight savings starting and ending. I've checked all the timezone settings and all seems to be correct.

I don't mind rebooting a linux server only twice a year and it's not worth my time to figure it out. However, if anyone knows a definite solution, I'd be happy to implement it.

Regards,

John

Re: clock goes into a loop

Mark Grant — Fri, 07 Nov 2003 10:30:25 GMT

Changing the time into the past can cause all sorts of problems. If someone is doing that, if only by a few minutes, you might see this kind of problem.

Just a thought.

Re: clock goes into a loop

Ragu_1 — Mon, 10 Nov 2003 00:30:30 GMT

Even if the hardware clock skews due to a bad battery, there is no need to reboot. The trick here is to sync your system clock first and then sync the hardware clock. If you are connected to the Internet, setting the system clock is easily done by installing the package `chrony'. Edit the file /etc/chrony/chrony.conf and fill in the IP of a time server near your location. Restart the chrony daemon and very soon it will correct the system clock. By typing `date' you can check the correctness of your local system time. Next, type `hwclock --systohc' and your motherboard RTC gets set. Oh, btw, my suggestions are for a Debian system, it is almost similar on your Redhat box.

Re: clock goes into a loop

Nick Gushlow — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 06:49:47 GMT

Scott,

I'm currently having the exact same problem on a TC4100 using WhiteBox Linux (RHEL for Free).

Did you ever find a solution to this?

Nick.

Re: clock goes into a loop

NPD USER — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 09:42:22 GMT

Nick,

We installed the latest version of the kernel and NTP. Ever since then we haven't received the problem anymore. Hope this helps.

Scott

Re: clock goes into a loop

Nick Gushlow — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 09:45:32 GMT

Hi Scott,

Thanks for replying; so are you running a 2.6 kernel?

Nick.

Re: clock goes into a loop

NPD USER — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 10:45:57 GMT

I should correct myself, we updated the kernel to 2.4.20-28.8 and ntp to 4.1.1a-9. Sorry about that..

Scott

Re: clock goes into a loop

Nick Gushlow — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:11:57 GMT

hmmm strange ... I have the problem yet I am running kernel 2.4.21-15.0.3.ELsmp and NTP 4.1.2.

Re: clock goes into a loop

NPD USER — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:18:24 GMT

that is strange.. I don't know what else it could be. Is your server patched to date?

Re: clock goes into a loop

Nick Gushlow — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:31:12 GMT

Not sure what you mean by patched to date .... ? Server/bios patches or patches to the kernel?

Re: clock goes into a loop

NPD USER — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:51:24 GMT

I meant server patches.

Re: clock goes into a loop

Nick Gushlow — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:53:05 GMT

ah, then yes. I've got all the latest updates.

It's all very confusing. :(