Lost in Time (Debian AMD64)

hungrigerhaifisch · 03-26-2006, 12:16 PM

For some obscure reason, the time setting on my computer is totally muddled up.

As I dual boot with winXP I've set my 'hardware clock' to my local time.
I have configured my timezone correctly, and have also set the 'software clock' to localtime.

Code:

~$ cat /etc/timezone
Europe/Berlin

Code:

~$ nano /etc/default/rcS
# Set UTC=yes if your system clock is set to UTC (GMT), and UTC=no if not.
UTC=no

However:

Code:

~$ date
Sun Mar 26 22:04:07 CEST 2006

gives the wrong time, whereas:

Code:

~$ date -u
Sun Mar 26 20:05:15 UTC 2006

gives the right time...

Strangely enough, ntpd does not set my time right, although it starts up at boot time, AND I have configuered its use in GNOME.
If I set the 'software clock' manually using 'date' or by using GNOME, the time setting is lost on reboot. When the system goes down, I get a message:

Quote:

cannot acsess the hardware clock via any known method

There shouldn't be the need to write the 'new time' to the 'harware clock', as this is correct (local time) on every reboot.

I'm running Debian AMD64 unstable.

lestoil · 03-26-2006, 01:21 PM

Same thing happened to me with Etch for a few weeks several months ago,no matter what I tried. Neither XP,nor Kanotix,nor SW exhibited time problem. After several Etch/Sid upgrades problem went away. Enjoy Debian

dracae · 03-26-2006, 08:53 PM

Get rid of ntpd unless you have a need to run a ntp server. Install ntpdate if you want your time sync'd with a ntp server. You are probably getting the error because you do not have rtc.ko or genrtc.ko loaded.

hungrigerhaifisch · 03-28-2006, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracae

Get rid of ntpd unless you have a need to run a ntp server. Install ntpdate if you want your time sync'd with a ntp server. You are probably getting the error because you do not have rtc.ko or genrtc.ko loaded.

Thank You, You were right. I got muddled up with ntpd and ntpdate

I also don't have neither the rtc.ko nor the genrtc.ko module, but do I really need it?

Using ntpdate, the time displays correctly now, however, I still don't understand why it doesn't without ntpdate, as it should. Why is UTC giving me my local time, when my 'local time' gives me, something very different, although my timezone is properly set up?

rbochan · 03-28-2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hungrigerhaifisch

...I still don't understand why it doesn't without ntpdate, as it should. Why is UTC giving me my local time, when my 'local time' gives me, something very different, although my timezone is properly set up?

By chance, do you have /usr on its own partition?
If so, clicky clicky...

hungrigerhaifisch · 03-28-2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbochan

By chance, do you have /usr on its own partition?
If so, clicky clicky...

Ok, very interesting, but, no, I don't have /usr on its own partition...sorry there...
I did however recompile my kernel, and now the disturbing error-message during 'shutdown' has been resolved.
I simply added support for the rtc. that was it...ntpdate is also working fine...well at least my clock now works...(DON'T INSTALL/USE AMD64-DEBIAN SID!!!)

rickh · 03-28-2006, 09:48 PM

Just for the record, I'm using large portions of Sid on both AMD64 & my 32 bit laptop with no problems.

hungrigerhaifisch · 03-28-2006, 10:07 PM

Then you can think of yourself as 'very lucky'...just for the record...and by the way, I did not want to start a 'flame-war' just comment on my expirience.
Thanks for not helping though...

For a laugh