Can the time and date in Windows be adjusted on a PC that has MassLynx Security installed? - WKB25134

ENVIRONMENT

MassLynx Security

ANSWER

The PC clock can be adjusted, but care is required.

There is no problem moving the Windows clock time and/or date forwards.

However, there is a problem if you move the clock back to a point in time that is before the last logged event on the audit trail. MassLynx cannot log events to a time in the past, so any new events cannot happen. As a result, it will no longer be possible to use MassLynx, and MassLynx will need to be reinstalled.

If you need to adjust the clock backwards, close MassLynx (or the MSM) and do not log back in to the software for a while. This ensures that there are no recent events in the audit trail. You can then make the required change. For example, if the clock needs to be moved back by 30 minutes, close MassLynx, wait for just over 30 minutes, and then adjust the clock.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There will also be a problem if you manually change the clock to some time in the future (e.g., for testing purposes) and then install MassLynx Security. Assuming that Windows is set to synchronize with an internet time server (in the Control Panel > Date and Time > Internet time), at some point the PC clock will automatically adjust back to the present, and because that is likely to be earlier than some existing events in the MassLynx audit log, it will no longer be possible to log in to MassLynx. This problem can be avoided by disabling internet time synchonization or disconnecting the network cable.