John,

1) I have never heard of VFP timer affecting the system clock. We have VFP systems that use timers and that run 24/7 and I have never seen this - ever. Have you got a sample app that you could post to test this effect?

2) Why would a loop be too "expensive"? Loops are only very processor intensive if the loop runs without a wait state somewhere in it. How often do you need this process to run? For example, if you need it every 5 minutes you could do:

DO WHILE condition

  ...
  your processing here
  ...

  
  * Wait State ...

  =INKEY(nSeconds)  && VFP function

  * or use ...

  =SLEEP(nMilliSeconds)  && Windows API as Viv has explained

ENDDO

>Hi,
>I would like to implement a background process. It should run a set of procedure intervally.
>
>At first, I think of having timer object in a hidden form. However, I found that timer will slow down the system clock. In my experience, it slow the system clock down about 1 hour after run for 24 hours.
>
>Then, i think to use LOOP, but it is too "expensive".
>
>Are there any workaround?
>
>Thank you