DazV

Good old Microsoft...

Why your Xbox keeps losing its realtime clock setting (it's less exciting than you think)
The most powerful console in the world can't keep time? Tsk. We've had a few emails from new Xbox owners concerned that the machine keeps resetting the built-in clock every time it's switched on. Well it's nothing to worry about - in fact it's a design 'feature'.

There's a lot of astonishingly complex technical reasoning behind it, but basically because the chips inside Xbox are manufactured to such a high density, the power leakage inside them is relatively large, and a mere battery is insufficient to run the clock. A capacitor is used instead, which will charge up enough to keep the clock going for a few hours if you leave the Xbox plugged into the mains. But if you don't like leaving your console on standby 24 hours a day, you'll just have to live with a clock that has to be set every time you start up the machine.

imatrukahs

Who cares..?...Look at your watch..if you need to know the time..

[Edited by imatrukahs - 3/19/2002 10:21:47 PM]

DazV

Hey, that was approaching grammatically semi-competent! Well done!


[Edited by DazV - 3/19/2002 11:15:25 PM]

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

I was wondering why I keep having to input the time after taking it round a few mates houses to show it off.

Now I know
I'm so well practiced at putting the time in that it only takes a few seconds.

Daz, I'm beginning to think you aren't one of Microsofts biggest fans, don't own an Xbox, love your PS2 to bits?

Matt

DazV

Heh, Matt - I'm not anti-XBox honest!

I actually think the PS2 was a let down, but there's a big catalogue of games and I DO love a handfull of them (pro evo soccer, everyone's golf 3, gt3, ico, etc...)

The X-Box just doesn't float my boat right now. People are entitled to their own opinion, and if they love the X-Box games, I'm pleased for them. In fact PTHOLT on here loves his so much I'm worried he's found a new use for the rear expansion slot!

If Microsoft start writing truly killer apps for the X-Box that are the kind of stuff I love, I WILL BUY ONE (there, I've said it!)

-DV

[Edited by DazV - 3/20/2002 12:08:00 AM]

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

I have to admit that not being able to keep time when you unplug it is a terrible design flaw.

Going back to the consoles release line up, when the PS2 was released a mate brought his round and another mate brought his Dreamcast round. I hadn't played on either until that night and I was mightly disappointed with the PS2 and very impressed with the Dreamcast. As I said, this was when the PS2 was brand new and only had a few titles for it.

That said though, I haven't played GT3 and if it weren't for the Xbox coming along I'm sure I would have eventually got the PS2 just for GT3

Matt

DazV

Can't BELIEVE you haven't played GT3!

I'd rate my Dreamcast at least equal to my PS2, but of course nobody is really writing stuff for Dreamcast now.

I really hope Sega decide to put their game "ShenMue" on one of the upcoming consoles so everyone can enjoy it as much as I did. Just finidhed the sequel and it will go down in my top 5 of all time games.

-DV

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

He sold it before GT3 came out

Matt

ptholt

i wouldnt say i love it that much daz, in fact i probably play unreal tournament on the pc more than anything so read into that what you will, i was just trying to portray it in the same rose tinted light as various people kept basking the vastly over rated, under supported ps2

rik1471

I'd have to agree that Shenmue is one of the all time top games.

P1Fanatic

It maybe a big design fault but what exactly is the benefit of a flippin clock on a console? I never had one on my PS2 and didnt sit there going "damn what a piece of sh*t it aint got a clock". I have a watch, a mobile phone and video player with the time on it!!

JackClark

So it knows the time and date you saved something.

ptholt

on games like gotham it logs the time youve played etc and gives you extras for the time youve been playing etc.

Pete_UK99

Sorry to sound really **** but the PS2 does have a clock, it uses those weird crystal things as a display. Although if I remember it did also give you an option to look at the clock with numbers.

DazV

Nice uses of the clock:

Metrolpolis Street Racer - Dreamcast would check clock to see what time you're playing and adjust the scenario to suit, Eg. if you were playing at night, you'd race around the game at night, etc...

Shen Mue - in the game you'd be walking down the busy streets of Japan in 3D. During December the Dreamcast would check the clock and make it snow in Japan. On New Years Eve, people in the Street would hang out decorations and lights which all actually worked properly against the night sky. lovely!

I'm sure there's lots of other examples I can't think of too!