Local/GMT Clock Displays the Wrong Time

    Some users have reported that the Local/GMT Clock displays the incorrect time. The clock is a Java Applet. This means that it runs on the computer where the Web Browser (NETSCAPE, Internet Explorer) is running (or your computer/PC). It uses the computer's current clock setting as "Local" time and adjusts this value based on the time zone setting to generate the GMT time. If the computer's clock and/or time zone settings are not set, set incorrectly, or cannot be set (as is the case with some Macintosh computers) then the time values will be displayed incorrectly.

    To fix the problem, set your computers clock and time zone correctly. Below is a list of instructions for each of the major computer types.

WIN9x/Windows NT
  1. From the Start menu, select "Settings", then "Control Panel".
  2. Double click on the "Date/Time" icon to display the date and time configuration window.
  3. Click on the tab at the top labeled "Time Zone".
  4. Right under the tab, there is a line which says something similar to (GMT-0500)Eastern Time (US&Canada)
  5. Verify that this is set to your time zone. If it is not, you can select the correct time zone by clicking on the "down arrow" to the right of the current time zone setting.
  6. If desired, click on the check box marked "Automatically Adjust Daylight Savings Time".
  7. Click on the "Date & Time" tab and verify that the clock setting. Adjust if necessary.
  8. Click "Apply" then "OK" to save your changes and exit.

On some Windows 95/NT systems, even with the correct time zone set, the local time will be displayed as being off by 1 hour. If this is your case, make sure that you are using the latest version of your browser and Java Class Libraries. If you have recently upgraded or have more than one version of the browser installed, make sure that your browser is not still using an older version of the libraries.

Windows 3.1
  1. In your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, add one of the following lines (depending on your time zone):

  2. SET TZ=EST + 05EDT

    SET TZ=CST + 06CDT

    SET TZ=MST + 07MDT

    SET TZ=PST + 08PDT
  3. Reboot your computer.
  4. From a DOS prompt run the TIME and DATE command setting the computer's clock as needed.

    It is possible that this will not correct the problem. The reason for this is not know at this time. It does appear the problem is linked to Java 1.0 and a bug in the time computation libraries supplied with some browsers. If you have recently upgraded or have more than one version of the browser installed, make sure that your browser is not still using an older version of the libraries.

Macintosh
  1. Open the Control Panels and select "Date and Time".
  2. Click on "Set Time Zone".
  3. Highlight the city in the time zone where you are located.
  4. Click "OK".
  5. Click on "Daylight Savings Time" check box if appropriate.
  6. Make sure the "Current Time" is correct. Adjust if necessary.
  7. Click the close box.

It is possible that this will not correct the problem. The reason for this is not know at this time. However a solution is being investigated and will be implemented when one is found.

UNIX/LINUX
  1. In your home directory, modify .profile, .login, .cshrc, or .bashrc, file (depending on the type of using UNIX you are using and the shell) to set the environment variable TZ to the appropriate string. Some possible examples are:

  2. TZ=:US/Eastern
    export TZ

    setenv TZ EST5EDT

    For more information see man timezone, man environ, or consult your specific system documentation for setting your time zone. Once set, log of f the system, and log in again.

    If you are having problems setting your time zone, consult with your System Administrator.
  3. At the command prompt type the command date. Check the displayed date and time values are correct. If the values are wrong, then consult you System Administrator on how to set the clock on the system.

Andrew M. Sklar, DDS, PC
http://www.drsklar.com
Family and General Dentistry
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Alexandria, VA 22311
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Monday, March 3, 2003 11:19 AM