Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

splicer · 2010-02-27 11:20:44

My system clock is dead. Not the run-out-of-battery kind of dead, but it simply doesn't move. E.g. at the GRUB menu the 3-second countdown doesn't move at all. However once I've logged into an OS the time moves on as per normal... I guess bc the OS keeps track of it on its own?

The main problem however is that Arch relies on checking the timestamps on bootup to see if the system was shut down correctly, and with my clock broken, this check always turns up an error. However my Fedora and Windows setups don't seem to mind this at all. So...

1) Why does Arch do these checks? What exactly is it checking for when it says that the 'last mount time is in the future'?
2) Why doesn't Fedora have this problem?
3) Most importantly, is it safe to comment out this check and just make sure my system is shut down properly every time?

From what I gather, fixing my clock would mean replacing the whole motherboard, and I don't really think it's worth the cost.

Allan · 2010-02-27 11:26:06

Not Arch. e2fsprogs which does the file system check... Have you tried changing your HARDWARECLOCK setting in /etc/rc.conf ("UTC" or "localtime")

splicer · 2010-02-27 11:28:59

It's currently set as 'localtime'. 'UTC' gave me problems (even when my clock was working) as I'm on a multiple-boot system.

brebs · 2010-02-27 11:32:20

splicer wrote:

fixing my clock would mean replacing the whole motherboard

Have you tried replacing the small battery that should be on the mobo? It's probably the same battery as in a lot of watches.

Surprising issue, anyway.

splicer · 2010-02-27 11:48:27

Nope, but dead batteries don't usually give such symptoms... in fact if I set the time manually, the computer does remember it till the next boot, so it seems that the memory is getting powered. The time just doesn't get updated. Also, the problem arose after I carried it out in a not-very-well-cushioned bag. Prior to that it had been sitting on my desk for the last couple of months. So I think something might've gotten damaged in the process.

kaivalagi · 2010-02-27 12:06:42

If it were me I'd replace the battery just to see, they're cheap after all, maybe the battery keeps the clock going regardless of mains power?

chpln · 2010-02-27 12:22:24

I too would try replacing the battery before tweaking the system to disregard timestamps.

CMOS Battery

eldragon · 2010-02-27 12:41:18

now ive seen it all...a stuck RTC!

sorry if im not helpful!

Arch Linux

#1 2010-02-27 11:20:44

Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#2 2010-02-27 11:26:06

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#3 2010-02-27 11:28:59

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#4 2010-02-27 11:32:20

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#5 2010-02-27 11:48:27

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#6 2010-02-27 12:06:42

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#7 2010-02-27 12:22:24

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

#8 2010-02-27 12:41:18

Re: Why does Arch rely on timestamps?

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