CLOX Answers

Frequently Asked Questions about CLOX

Here are some answers to questions which have been asked by users of CLOX...

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Last updated: April 2008

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Question
I don't understand! How come can I get CLOX for free? What's the catch?

Answer
There's no catch. CLOX is shareware, this basically means that you can download it, install it, use it and give copies with your friends. Unlike most other shareware, CLOX is not time-limited, it won't stop working after you've had it for a month or used it a few times. There are real and significant advantages to registering, not least the fact that extra features are available to registered users, however, the free version is a very comprehensive software package, loaded with useful and working features. The reason it's free, is to encourage people to start using it and perhaps distibute it to others. Please note though, that only the free version may be given away and it must not be altered in any way. You can download CLOX here.

Question
If CLOX is free, why isn't it called freeware?

Answer
Definitions vary, but freeware programs don't usually have the facility of being 'upgraded internally'. In fact, the free version of CLOX actually contains all the necessary functions of the registered version. This means that if you already have the free version, you don't need to get or install another program when you register. Instead we give you a personal registration number which allows you to convert the copy you already have. Freeware programs are usually very limited in what they can do, some have not been properly tested and are full of bugs, others are just quick trial or dummy promotional versions of working programs that you would need to buy separately if you were to get any use out of them. The idea with CLOX is that for free, you get a fully working program that will last you a lifetime, and when you realise what a great product it really is, especially if you've seen our competitor's products costing much more, you will decide that $10 is a very small price to pay to make CLOX even better still! You may have noticed that our website is not plastered with 'Buy Now' buttons as seems to be the trend. We strongly encourage you to download and try CLOX before registering. Don't worry, the program itself will remind you that you can come back and register... if you want to!

Question
How do I install CLOX?

Answer
Close any programs you may have running. Locate the setup file called CLOX2000.EXE or CLOX2007.EXE and run it by double-clicking on the icon. The setup is completely automatic, though you will be given the option to change the installation directory if you wish. The default directory is C:/Program Files/Clox/" It is recommended that you don't change this.

Installation typically takes about 30 seconds. When it is complete, you will find a CLOX 2000 icon in your Windows Start Menu. You can start CLOX by clicking the icon.

After reading the welcome message, the first thing you should do is tell the program which timezone you are in by double-clicking on the clock marked GMT/UTC. CLOX has full instructions built-in, simply click on the info (i) icons for instant, simple explanations about everything you see.

Question
How do I install a CLOX update package I have downloaded?

Answer
If CLOX is running, close it before installing the update. Locate the setup file you have downloaded and run it by double-clicking. Check that the CLOX directory displayed is where CLOX is installed on your machine (The default is C:/Program Files/Clox/") and click 'Setup'. The program will be instantly updated.

Question
What's the difference between the version I have and latest update package? Is there any reason why I shouldn't install the update?

Answer
Improvements in the latest version are listed on the home page for the product. There is no reason not to update, the latest version of CLOX is quite simply better than the others.

Question
Which versions of Microsoft Windows is CLOX 2000 compatible with?

Answer
CLOX 2000 works with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT4, Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows ME, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Question
How do I uninstall CLOX?

Answer
If for any reason you wish to uninstall CLOX, go into you Windows Control Panel, select 'Add/Remove Programs' and double-click on CLOX. You will be able to reinstall CLOX at any time as described above.

Please note that in the unlikely event that CLOX is not working perfectly, don't try and fix it by uninstalling-reinstalling until you have searched the other FAQs here, there is most probably a simple solution and reinstalling is probably not the answer. Please feel free to contact us if you do have any queries which aren't resolved here or in the online help in the software.

Question
Something isn't right, I can't see the clocks should uninstall and reinstall the program?

Answer
No, not yet. If CLOX is not behaving itself, don't uninstall and reinstall CLOX until you have searched the other FAQs here, there is usually a solution and reinstalling isn't it.

Question
Clock 1 shows my correct local time but I'm not sure how to set the other clocks. How is it done?

Answer
Each clock can be set by double-clicking on the (analogue) clock face. When you do this, a new window will open where you can enter the time-difference. (Use the left and right mouse buttons to increase or decrease the time difference, or click the map to do it automatically). You can enter any caption you wish (up to 15 characters) for any of the clocks except the GMT/UTC clock which always has the same caption.

When you first use CLOX it is important to set the GMT/UTC clock to your own local time difference (hours ahead or behind UTC). Remember to set the DST offset to +1 if you are currently on daylight saving time (summer time) in your locality.

Question
Why is my local clock showing the wrong time after using the autoset feature?

Answer
If it is wrong by an hour or more, you probably have your local time-zone set incorrectly. Double-click the GMT/UTC clock to correct it. Make sure the DST offset is set to +1 if you are currently observing summer time and not if you are not. Using the latest version of CLOX 2000 can also provide much greater accuracy and reliability when setting the time in this way.

Question
How do I get online help in CLOX?

Answer
In all versions...Double-click one of the digital clocks and it will appear. In CLOX 2000 you can also select 'Get Help' from one of the pop-up menus (right-click on any clock). There are also, dotted around, topic-specific 'information icons' which link directly to help topics.

Question
I see that CLOX has 'support for optional plug-in accessories' what does this mean?

Answer
CLOX (version 5.1 or later) can download, install and access plugin accessories which allow new features to instantly be added to CLOX without the need to upgrade to a new version. If you use the internet features of CLOX you will automatically be informed of any new plugins available via the CLOX newsflashes. Details will also be posted in the 'Plugin Zone' which is now featured on this web site and can be accessed from the main CLOX page or by clicking here.

Question
What is coordinated universal time and why is it abbreviated to UTC?

Answer
UTC is just the name that officially replaced the term GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) the key international reference time upon which all the world's timezones are based. Most people still call it GMT.

The letters "UTC" are basically a compromise between the English "Coordinated Universal Time" (CUT) and the French "Temps Universel Coordiné" (TUC). The use of "UTC" also maintains consistency with other official time abbreviations like UT0 and UT1 which offer different degrees of precision. Unless you want to know what time it is to the millisecond (you really don't) then for all intents and purposes UTC and GMT are the same thing.

As a general rule: If you want to be politically correct say 'UTC'. If you want people to understand what you're talking about then say 'GMT'.

Just to ensure widespread confusion, UTC is also sometimes called Z Time, Zulu Time, Zero Time or Universal Time (UT). They all still mean the same thing:- The official (solar) time of day on the Greenwich meridian (GMT).

Question
Why is my GMT/UTC clock an hour behind British time. Surely that's not right?

Answer
Clocks in Great Britain don't use GMT during the Summer. Instead, the clocks are put forward one hour in the spring for daylight saving time (DST). In Britain this is called British Summer Time or BST.

Question
I use CLOX all the time and would like to have CLOX on my desktop every time I start my computer. Can this be done?

Answer
If you open your CLOX folder you can drag the clox.exe program icon straight onto your desktop area and you will have a convenient shortcut to CLOX.

If you want CLOX to be up and running automatically when you start your computer, place a shortcut to clox.exe in your Startup folder.

Question
In my country we do not use the English names for cities and days. Can CLOX show these in different languages?

Answer
Yes - you can set the clock captions to any names you like (upto 15 characters). Days in CLOX will automatically be shown in your system's default language.

Question
I seem to have lost the clock window. I have clicked the CLOX button on the taskbar but the clocks just don't appear. Where are they?

Answer
The clock window is possibly outside the visible screen area. You have either moved it off-screen or reduced the screen resolution while CLOX was near the bottom edge of the screen. Right-click the CLOX button on the taskbar and a small menu will pop-up. Click 'Move'. You can then use the cursor keys on your keyboard to bring the clocks back into view. (Try the UP and LEFT arrows.)

Question
Sometimes, when I use the AutoSet feature, my system date gets set to the wrong day. Is there a solution to this problem?

Answer
Yes - A known bug in one or two early versions of CLOX can cause this problem for users in some parts of the world. This has been fixed in more recent versions. If you have this problem, simply download the latest version of CLOX 2000 free of charge.

Question
I registered CLOX long ago and would like to upgrade to CLOX 2000. Do I need to register again to get all the benefits of being registered?

Answer
There is no need to register again. Unlike with most other software, as a registered user of CLOX you can always upgrade to the latest version of CLOX free of charge.

Question
My internet connection is working properly but the AutoSet feature of CLOX doesn't seem to work. What can I do about it?

Answer
Accessing the internet time sources with some older versions of CLOX can be difficult from some parts of the world and at certain times of day. This is not a problem with the latest version of CLOX. Click here to download your free update.

Another possibility is that you have firewall or other security settings preventing thr program from accessing the internet. Check the settings.

Question
I have the latest version of CLOX and the internet features are not working properly.

Answer
It is possible that you have the wrong internet connection setting in 'CLOX Preferences'. Try the 'Direct' and 'System' settings, possibly re-starting Windows after changing over. This will usually fix the problem permanently.

Another possibility is that you have firewall or other security settings preventing thr program from accessing the internet. Check the settings.

Question
I would like to use CLOX on the desktop PC in my office. I would also like to use it on my laptop. Nobody else uses my machines, do I need to register a second copy?

Answer
No... As long as the software will only be used on one machine at a time you only need to register one copy. You can even put CLOX on a third machine and the same still applies.

If a number of people will be using 'registered' copies of CLOX within your organization you need to be licensed for this. Registering four or more copies of CLOX at the same time entitles you to a discounted price. Our automated online ordering systems will work out the discounts for you prior to you confirming the order.

Question
I would like to register CLOX but I don't think sending my credit card details over the internet is a good idea. Is there another way that I can register?

Answer
Using a secure online order form through a respected payment processing firm such as WorldPay who handle payments for our Online Store is probably the safest way you can possibly use your charge card. All the details are heavily encrypted (scrambled) and will mean nothing to anyone who might find a way to intercept the message (in fact your card number won't normally be seen by any human being, except you, at any stage of the process). These systems are MUCH more secure than speaking on the telephone, sending a fax, or sending any kind of mail. For this reason, charge card companies actually prefer you to use your card through secure online systems. However, if you still prefer to use one of these methods of paying, you can do so. Click here to find out about other ways to register CLOX.

Question
Is it essential to have an internet connection to use CLOX?

Answer
No, an internet connection is not essential. CLOX gets updated time, date, newsflashes, the CLOX TIMES and other information directly from the internet, however it will work very well on a stand-alone machine without any net connections of any kind.

Question
I have the CLOX CountDown 2000 plugin and the Countdown Calendar sometimes shows incorrect information. Is this a bug?

Answer
There was a bug in the CountDown 2000 plug-in. You can fix this problem by installing CountDown 7 which can be downloaded from the CLOX Plugin Zone

Question
I set CLOX to 'Use System Tray as Taskbar' The clock icon is in the system tray but I can't get the clock window back. How do I do this?

Answer
This problem which affected some users has been fixed in the latest version of CLOX 2000. If you have version 6.06 or later download the instant update package to update to version 7.2. Remember you must make sure CLOX isn't running before installing the update. If you have a version of CLOX older than version 6.06 you will need to download the full installation pack.

Question
I have downloaded CLOX but when I double-click the file it doesn't install.

Answer
There may be a temporary problem with the server you have downloaded from. Try downloading again from a different location.

Another possibility is that when you attempted to install CLOX, another program running on the machine prevented the installation from completing. It is best to close all other programs before installing.

Question
If I lose my Personal Registration Number for CLOX, can you send it to me again?

Answer
Due to the time involved in processing these requests, we make a charge of $5.00 (USD) for reissuing PRN codes. You can avoid this problem by making a note of your PRN and keeping it in a safe place from the moment you receive it. Don't confuse your order number or serial number with your PRN. To request a reissue of your PRN, please click here. When requesting a reissue of your PRN, you should if possible provide your order number and date of registration along with your name and original email address.

Question
I think ten dollars is way too cheap for top quality software like CLOX. I am wondering why it is priced so low?

Answer
Various reasons...

Here's a good idea... If you would like to spend more than $10 on CLOX, why not register a copy for a friend! Just send us an email when you order and we'll put the registration in their name and send them a certificate of registration by email. Register four or more copies and they'll cost you even less. Our online ordering systems will show you the applicable discount prices when you enter the number of copies you wish to register. Corporations and institutions registering for hundreds or thousands of users receive considerable discounts.

Question
How can I save or print copies of the CLOX TIMES newsletter?

Answer
To print the CLOX TIMES simply double-click the word 'PRINT' in the top right hand corner.

If you want to save it to disk, click the CLOX TIMES window, then press [Shift]&[Alt]&[Print Screen], you can then either paste it into another application or use the clipboard to save it as a .clp file.

Question
I've registered CLOX but I'm not sure how to get the automatic daylight saving times update and the latest CLOX TIMES newsletter?

Answer
Log-on to your internet service. (You don't need to use a browser.) Double-click your local clock face and get a timecheck by clicking the 'Auto Set and Updates' button. When the display shows 'TIME SET COMPLETE' double-click the word 'CLOX'. If you want the latest DST Update then check the box. Double-click the word 'CLOX' again and wait while the display reads 'RETRIEVING UPDATES'.

CLOX 5 or later can also be programmed to get the time, adjust the system time and download CLOX TIMES and updates automatically at a pre-determined time of day (or night). This is set in the 'CLOX Preferences' window. When done, CLOX will leave a 'sticky-note' on your screen to inform you about the update when you return.

Question
How many world time clocks can CLOX 2000 show on screen at one time?

Answer
How big is your screen? In normal use CLOX can show 1,4,5,6 or 7 clocks at a time. However by using the free MoReCLOX plugin you can display as many time-zones as you like, if your screen is big enough to show them all! MoReCLOX is now available from the CLOX Plugin Zone.

Question
There are no faces on my clocks, just hands! Help!

Answer
This is a rare problem but one which has been reported by some users of older graphics cards based on the Riva-TNT chipset. It appears to be due to a flaw in the driver software used by the graphics card. There are two possible solutions to this problem. The ideal solution is to install the latest updated drivers for your graphics card. These should be available from your hardware supplier or the card manufacturer's website. The other solution which may work is to alter the graphics card display settings. Right-clicking on the Windows desktop should let you do this.

Question
I have found that I need to exit CLOX 2000 before I can exit Windows. Is this normal?

Answer
You have an old version of CLOX 2000, please click here to download the latest version.

Question
I never communicate with anybody outside the area I live. Everybody is in the same time zone. Why would I need a set of time zone clocks?

Answer
You dont!.

Question
Can the CLOX clocks be displayed on a web page?

Answer
Yes and no! CLOX 2000 is a desktop application which works offline. Its internet features are all geared to retrieving information from the web, not for putting it there. However, another program called CLOX WebMaster is available. CLOX WebMaster is based on CLOX 2000 but has the unique ability to put live analogue clocks on a web page using standard HTML. You can find out more about CLOX WebMaster by clicking here.

Question
How do I register CLOX?

Answer
Click here to register online.

Click here to return to the CLOX home page