Windows XP Does Not Synchronize the Time Outside a Client's Site (320258)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q320258

SYMPTOMS

If a Windows XP-based client is located in an Active Directory-defined site that does not contain a domain controller, the client does not synchronize the time by using the domain hierarchy.

CAUSE

If a client uses a domain hierarchy (that is, is a domain member) for time synchronization, the client does not try to locate another domain controller if the current site does not contain a domain controller.

You can use a Network Time Protocol (NTP) time source to synchronize the time. Group Policy for the Time service contains an entry for CrosSiteSyncFlags, but this entry is not used by Windows XP-based clients.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to Obtain the Latest Windows XP Service Pack

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date         Time   Version      Size     File name
   -----------------------------------------------------
   02-Apr-2002  14:39  5.1.2600.41  158,720  W32time.dll      
   11-Dec-2001  16:55  5.1.2600.0    49,664  W32tm.exe

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, set the client's NTP time source by using Group Policy, or set the NTP time source manually.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1.

MORE INFORMATION

After you applying this hotfix, you can synchronize the time outside the client's site if no domain controller is present. The Group Policy setting for CrossSiteSyncFlags is used. The Group Policy entry correlates to the following registry value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpClient

CrossSiteSyncFlags REG_DWORD = 0x00000002 (default)

With CrossSiteSyncFlags set to 0, Windows XP-based clients do not try to synchronize outside the site.

With CrossSiteSyncFlags set to 2, Windows XP-based clients use out-of-site domain controllers for synchronization. This is the default value, but is not used for Windows XP-based clients before you apply this hotfix.

No matter what the CrossSiteSyncFlags value is set to, the client chooses the closest site domain controller to synchronize with if both a close site domain controller and an out-of-site domain controller are available.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/27/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbSysAdmin kbWinXPsp1fix KB320258
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.