So in summary, I give up on the built in Windows time sync. I installed http://www.timesynctool.com/
Works great! More fail safe options, and nice logs. I recommend TimeSyncTool. (free open source too)
I disabled the Windows Time Sync in Task Scheduler below.
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I wanted to share a tip on how to force windows to synchronize the clock of your PC more often. The default is like every month'ish or so, and you'll notice the start/stop time of scheduled recordings often drifts a few minute off in between. (losing the beginning of a show)
Here's how! (works great for me, I set it to happen every hour at x:54)
It works for both Windows 7 and Windows 8
http://www.ali-inc.com/technical/196-sy ... often.html
Force Windows time synchronization more often
Last week we discussed how to setup synchronization with an external time source. This week we will learn how to make the syncs occur more often.
Why is this important?
In different environments I’ve seen windows time drift by 1-2 minutes in a single day depending on hardware resources. Windows does not provide any user facing or GUI options to change the clock-sync frequency. By default it is set for once a week on Sunday night. The AD PDC controls time for the entire domain. This schedule should be added to the PDC of a domain. It can also be used to sync any Vista or Win 7 client not on a domain.
What NOT to do: The Synchronize Time task
Do not edit the registry or change the default sync task in Scheduled Tasks.
W32TM.EXE Tool
W32TM.EXE is a tool for troubleshooting windows time service. If you run W32TM.EXE with a /RESYNC argument it will trigger a clock sync. That is if the Windows Time Service is already running. If you want to test it make sure Windows Time service is started.
What to Do: Create a new Task
We will setup two tasks. The first ensures that the Windows Time service is available. The second then runs W32tm.exe /resync as often as you like
1. Open the "Task Scheduler"
2. Open the Microsoft / Windows / Time Synchronization tree and click "Create Task"
3. Give the task a new name. Mine is called "Sync Time"
4. Change the service to run under "LOCAL SERVICE" authority and check "run with highest privileges"
5. Change Configure for: to your Operating System
6. Choose the time you want the task to run each day. I have chosen 7:00AM each morning. (EDIT, I checked the box to repeat the task every hour at x:54)
7. The task will run two commands so order is important. The first command ensures Windows Time service is running the second causes a manual sync
Set the first action to start a program, which is %windir%\system32\sc.exe with argument start w32time task_started
Set the second action to start a program, which is %windir%\system32\w32tm.exe with argument /resync
8. You can check the status of the updates using the System Event Viewer. Look for events that reference the TIME SERVICE
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P.S. The default server windows uses to change the time often times out. I have better results using the NIST servers (see below)
EDIT:
I exported the task I created above so it's easy to import for someone else or if I rebuild my PC from scratch (see attached)
The UserId will be wrong so either fix it manually in taskschedule after you import this, or edit it before hand.
Worst case if another mini-PC i7 becomes available that is as good or better than the MAC Mini I'll buy that and sell the Mac Mini. (maybe something with HD 5000 graphics, an upgrade from my current HD 4000)