Microsoft KB Archive/243574

= "Could Not Locate a Time Server" After Setting SNTP Time Server Using NET TIME Command =

Article ID: 243574

Article Last Modified on 3/1/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

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This article was previously published under Q243574





SYMPTOMS
When you use the net time command, you may receive the following error message:

Could not locate a time-server.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3912.



CAUSE
This error message can occur even if you set a valid Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) time server using the net time /setsntp command and network connectivity to the external time server exists.

Windows servers that are not domain controllers and Windows-based computers attempt to locate a domain controller to synchronize the network time. Domain controllers attempt to contact the domain controller that holds the primary domain controller (PDC) Flexible Single Master Operation (FSMO) role. Only the domain controller that holds the PDC FSMO role can query an external time source to set the time.

Keywords: kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB243574

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