System Clock Check

Your System Clock

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Why your system clock's accuracy is important for snipe bidding

Snipe bidding requires your computer's system clock be set to the exact same time as eBay's time. If your clock is a little slow or fast, then you will be bidding too soon or even bidding after the item closes. The above clock displays show eBay's time for various eBay auction servers around the world. For comparison purposes, the lower clock displays your computer system's clock. If you are snipe bidding close to an item's close time, your system clock should be set to display the same time as eBay's clock for your particular time zone. It's best to ensure that your clock is no more than 5 seconds different than eBay's clock.

Setting your computer system's clock

Here are the steps required to manually set your computer's system clock to eBay's time (Window's systems)

Windows XP:

• Open Windows Control Panel and then select the "Date and Time" icon.
• Select the "Date and Time" tab at top of the window. The window that opens will allow you to set your system clock's date and time to the same time as the eBay server you are using.
• Additionally you can have your system clock set automatically every 7 days to one of several  international time standards. Select the "Internet Time" tab at top of the window. On this window you should check the box "Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server", then select a time server. The "time.nist.gov" time server is a good reliable time server to use.

Windows Vista, Windows 7:

• Open Windows Control Panel and then select the "Date and Time" icon.
• Select the "Date and Time" tab at top of the window. Select the button "Change date and time...". The window that opens will allow you to set your system clock's date and time to the same time as the eBay server you are using.
• Additionally you can have your system clock set automatically every 7 days to one of several  international time standards. Select the "Internet Time" tab at top of the window. On this window select the "Change settings..." button. The "time.nist.gov" time server is a good reliable time server to use.

Note: Depending on your system clock's drift, the 7 day automatic setting interval provided by Windows may not be often enough. The easiest and best way to ensure your system clock is set to eBay's clock is to use AuctionSleuth's built in automatic clock set feature. This feature can be enabled on the AuctionSleuth Setup/Time window. You can have your system clock set to eBay's time as often as every hour.