[CentOS] Strange issue with system time being off

[m.roth at 5-cent.us]

Russell Jones wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am having an issue with some older CentOS 5.3 servers. Every time
> the server boots, it gives the error "Cannot access the hardware clock
> by any known method", and then promptly sets the time 5 hours behind
> the hardware clock, down to the second.
>
So, it's obviously setting it to GMT.

> After the system is up. "hwclock" works fine. hwclock --debug does not
> show any error at all.
>
> The hardware clock is configured in local time. /etc/sysconfig/clock
> is set to UTC=false and ZONE="America/Chicago". /etc/localtime is a
> copy of Chicago's zone file. /etc/adjtime is configured with "LOCAL"
> as the third row. I am at a loss as to what is causing this.
>
> Any assistance is appreciated! Thanks!

Wonder if there's some permission or ownership problem.... You might also
check in the BIOS, if some protection is turned on.

     mark