Synchronizing a Windows 2000 domain controller to a time server
- Stop the W32Time service
W32Time service starts automatically at system startup. The Time Service should be stopped prior to defining the Authorative Time Server. Failure to do so could cause an error in the Event Log. The W32Time service can be stopped two different ways. It can be controlled from "Services" or from the command prompt.
- Controlling the W32Time Service from Services
Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools. Find a shortcut for Services. Select W32Time Service. Click NetStop.
- Controlling the W32Time Service from the command prompt
At the command prompt, type: net stop w32time (stops the time service)
- Set the time of the Windows 2000 Server back by several minutes or hours after the service is stopped, if this is feasible. This will help verify the PC is successfully syncing to the time server. Once the service is restarted, the time should jump to the correct time. Manually change the time to an incorrect value using the Date/Time properties screen in the lower right-hand corner of the screen (Set the time of the PC back by a minimum of 3 minutes).
- Define the authoritative time server
W32Time service requires an SNTP Authoritative Time Server be defined as the source of external time synchronization. The time server or master clock installed on the network is the Authoritative Time Server for the network. To configure the Time Server as the Authoritative Time Server, at the command prompt of the Primary Windows 2000 server, type: Net time /setsntp:xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (Where x is the IP address assigned to the time server)
- Re-start the W32Time service
After the Authoritative Time Server is defined, the service needs to be re-started for the changes to be updated. The W32Time service can be started two different ways. It can be controlled from "Services" or from the command prompt.
- Controlling the W32Time Service from "Services"
Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools, to a shortcut that goes to Services. Select W32Time Service. Verify Automatic is selected. Click NetStart.
- Controlling the W32Time Service from the command prompt
At the command prompt, type: Net start w32time (starts the time service)
Once the Time Service is restarted, the Windows 2000 Server should jump to the right time. Windows 2000 and Windows XP workstations under the Domain Controller will sync at their next periodic interval.
If the time doesn't jump to the correct time, refer to Troubleshooting.