How to Fix the Clock on Windows XP
By Jasmine Haryana
The Microsoft Windows XP operating system comes with a system clock for easy time and date display. Upon hovering the mouse over the time in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, Windows XP will display the time and date to the user in the Windows system tray. If your Windows XP clock is displaying the incorrect time or date, there are several simple steps you can take to fix the problem.
Fix the Clock on Windows XP
Step 1
Ensure that the clock is displaying the correct time. Check the time displayed in the system tray against a home clock or watch.
Step 2
Set the correct time in the Windows XP clock. Double-click the time in the lower right-hand corner of your screen to open the "Date and Time Properties" window and select the "Date and Time" tab. Adjust the hour, minutes and seconds by highlighting the appropriate numbers and typing over them.
Step 3
Adjust the date in the Windows XP clock. Use the drop-down boxes next to the month and year to make current selections. Click on the number corresponding with today's date to mark the current date on the calendar. Click on the AM/PM setting and use the up and down navigation buttons to select a time of day.
Step 4
Click "Apply" to activate your date and time adjustments, and click "OK" to save your changes.
Step 5
Set your time zone. Click the "Time Zone" tab of the "Date and Time Properties" tab and select your time zone from the drop-down list. Click "Apply" and "OK" to save changes.
Step 6
Opt for automatic time adjustments. Check the box labeled "Automatically adjust clock for daylight savings changes" and click "OK." Click the "Internet Time" tab and check the box labeled "Automatically synchronize with an internet time server." Click the "Update" button, and then click "Apply" and "OK" to save changes.
References
Tips
- Once you have adjusted your time zone, you should see it displayed at the bottom of the "Date and Time" tab when you double-click your Windows XP clock.
- You can select from two sources for "Internet Time" in the drop down box, using either the Microsoft Time Server or the government server as a synchronization option.
Writer Bio
With a career spanning business writing and technical commentaries, Jasmine Haryana has been writing and editing since 1996. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Davis and holds her certification in grant writing from The Foundation Center.