Windows server 2000 Time Service

I've got a windows 2000 SP4 server and I want it's time to sync with an external source. I've tried following the MS instructions on changing the registry settings to allow it to work (LocalNTP is 1, ntpserver is set to tock.usno.navy.mil,0x1, type is NTP - I also tried the default of NT5DS,). The problem is, I can't get the service to start. It fails to start, each time saying "Could not start the Windows Time service on Local Computer. The service did not return an error."

Is it possible that the time service only works on a domain controller, or when the server is part of a domain? I ask, because not only is this server NOT a domain controller, but it's NOT a member of a domain. That might sound odd (it's because this is one of our VOIP servers, and they recommended having it left out of the domain).

Further, is there any other utility that would sync my clock externally?

Thanks

You could try NISTime:

http://tf.nist.gov/service/its.htm
http://tf.nist.gov/service/pdf/nts.pdf

It should work fine on a regular server, or even a workstation for that matter.

Normally instead of the registry edits I'd just run "NET TIME /SETSNTP:servername" -- maybe try that and see if the service will start.

You might also consider making the server sync to one of your local domain controllers rather than an external source, even though it's not on the domain. Same procedure, just use a DC's host name instead of the Navy one.