How to configure Win2k3 Server Windows Time Services
Configuring the Windows Time service to use an internal hardware clock
To configure the PDC master without using an external time source, change the announce flag on the PDC master. The PDC master is the server that holds the forest root PDC master role for the domain. This configuration forces the PDC master to announce itself as a reliable time source and uses the built-in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) clock. To configure the PDC master by using an internal hardware clock, follow these steps:
regedit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\AnnounceFlags
right-click AnnounceFlags, and then click Modify. In Edit DWORD Value, type A in the Value data box, and then click OK and Quit the Registry Editor.
Restart the Windows Time Service...
net stop w32time && net start w32time
Note The PDC master must not be configured to synchronize with itself. (RFC) 1305
Configuring the Windows Time service to use an external time source
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\Type Edit Value, type NTP in the Value data box, and then click OK.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\AnnounceFlags In Edit DWORD Value, type 5 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpServer In Edit DWORD Value, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK. (enables NTPSERVER)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters In the right pane, right-click NtpServer, and then click Modify. Values are names of servers (e.g. ntp2b.mcc.ac.uk servername.co.local otherserver.com)
http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Servers/StratumTwoTimeServers
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpClient\SpecialPollInterval In Edit DWORD Value, type TimeInSeconds in the Value data box, and then click OK. A recommended value is 15 minutes, or "900 Decimal".
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\MaxPosPhaseCorrection In Edit DWORD Value, click to select Decimal in the Base box. In Edit DWORD Value, type TimeInSeconds in the Value data box, and then click OK.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\MaxNegPhaseCorrection In Edit DWORD Value, click to select Decimal in the Base box. In Edit DWORD Value, type TimeInSeconds in the Value data box, and then click OK.
net stop w32time && net start w32time
Microsoft's TechNet article for Windows Time Service Tools and Settings, which provides in-depth detail on the switches and parameters for using the w32tm utility.
MaxNegPhaseCorrection and MaxPosPhaseCorrection, and they are found in the registry at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config
The default (decimal) value for both of these keys was 54,000, which is 15 hours. This means that if your local clock and the Internet clock that you are syncing to are within 15 hours of each other, the time on your PC will be updated. If they are more than 15 hours apart, forget it.
The TechNet article highlighted a special case for this setting: "0xFFFFFFFF means always make time correction." So fixing this issue is just a matter of editing a couple of Registry keys.
Browse down to the "config" key to find the phase correction settings.
Double-click on MaxNegPhaseCorrection to edit the value. It will read "d2f0" in the hexidecimal value, or 54000 in the decimal value. Select "hexidecimal" and enter "ffffffff" in the field.
Click "OK".
Make the same change for MaxPosPhaseCorrection.
Close the Registry Editor
Re-run the synctime.bat file and you should fine that the time in Windows has been updated.