New Daylight Saving Time Could Wreak Havoc with Computer Systems

The new daylight saving time enacted by the new US Energy Policy act of 2005 has some consequences for older computer systems. Systems that cannot be updated, or are no longer supported will at best have incorrect time, at worst they will no longer function.

Sterling Heights, MI (PRWEB) January 22, 2007 -- The new daylight saving time enacted by the new US Energy Policy act of 2005 has some consequences for older computer systems. Systems that cannot be updated, or are no longer supported will at best have incorrect time, at worst they will no longer function.

Some of the most widely used software has issues with the new Daylight Saving Time. Specifically, Sun's Java, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, and all versions of Microsoft Windows need updates to correct for the time change.

Steve Wiseman, Co-Founder of IntelliAdmin, LLC, says, "Each one of these software components needs to be updated. Simply updating Windows, or updating Microsoft Outlook is not enough. All components of a network need to be tested and patched. Administrators that do not take action now are looking at a Y2K type scenario."

Sun is providing daylight saving time updates for Java, and Microsoft is providing updates for Outlook, Exchange, and some versions of Windows.

"Microsoft is only providing patches for their supported software. This means that Windows 2000 will not be patched by Microsoft since they no longer support it. We have created an unofficial patch that will fix Windows 2000, and NT systems."

"The operating system is a major component of the problem. Still, administrators need to check with independent software vendors for other possible problems, and patches to fix them. Otherwise they risk running into issues when the new daylight saving time switch occurs"

Daylight Saving Time will now start the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM, and will end the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM. A free unofficial patch for Windows 2000/NT can be found at http://www.windows-admin-tools.com.

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