2007 Changes to Daylight Savings Time and Your Computer

The start and stop dates for Daylight Savings Time (DST) for the United States of America have changed for 2007.  The starting day for DST is now the second Sunday in March.  The ending day is now the first Sunday in November.  The net impact is to extend DST by three weeks.

 

EXECTECH will be pleased to provide on-site assistance to implement the updates to your computers if you wish.  Please contact us at 847.277.9909. 

Will my computer(s) be effected?

This will impact all personal and servers that are set to automatically adjust for DST.  Those companies and users who do not share access to a common database could simply ignore the time change, however there is the possibility that you may not be able to retrieve your emails since your computer is not in “time sync” with the email server for three weeks.  Changing the time zone settings on your computer’s operating system will be required if you wish to automatically make the transition to the new DST schedule.

What is/will Microsoft do to fix this in Windows?

Microsoft has released updates to the Windows XP family and Windows 2000 Server family of products that are available from the Windows/Microsoft Update service.  Note that they are NOT considered to be critical updates since they are not global in nature and these products are global ones.  Microsoft will NOT be releasing patches for earlier versions of Windows, however, there are tools to allow you to manually make the changes necessary.

Are there applications that need fixes/patches?

Some applications such as Microsoft Outlook 2000, XP (2002) and 2003 will require software patches that Microsoft has promised to make available (not deliver) to users some time in January, 2007.  (They were not available as of January 8th.  We will attempt to update this page with the links when they are available.)

 

Microsoft Exchange server will need to be updated as well, but since none of my clients use it, I will not address it here.

 

Additional information about these and other effected Microsoft applications are listed at the Microsoft website link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

 

If your company relies on other applications, we urge you to contact the technical support of the respective application for actions you may have to take in order to continue operations in light of the changes to DST.

What do I need to do?

First, make one of the decisions below:

  1. Turn off automatic DST on your computer(s) and make the changes manually using the Date & Time utilities in Control Panel, or
  2. To make the changes to the operating system using one of the methods in the Quick Reference below under Updating Windows OS & NOS (recommended for all computers used for business purposes, or
  3. Do nothing and address any issues should they arise.

 

Second, take the steps necessary to follow-up on your decision.  If you selected #2, then read on.  Those of you that selected 1 or 3, the rest of this page will be of no help to you.

Updating your Windows OS & NOS

First, determine the Windows version that you are using on your computer(s).  It is important to know the service pack applied to Windows XP products as service pack 1 (SP1) will NOT qualify to use Microsoft’s update utility.  All Windows 2000 products should be at service pack 4 (SP4).  (You can right click on My Computer and left click on properties to get this information on all computers running Windows.)

 

Second, acquire the updates or program that you will use to modify the time zone settings in your computer using the Quick Reference below.

Quick Reference

OS/NOS                                  Update/Program                                 Requirements

Windows Vista                         None

Windows XP Professional        Microsoft KB 928388                          Service Pack 2 (SP2)
     & Home Edition including x64 versions

Windows 2003 Server R1        Microsoft KB 928388                          Service Pack 1 (SP1)
     & R2 Family including Small Business Server 2003 & x64 versions

Windows 2000 Professional     Time Zone Editor (tzedit.exe)                Service Pack 4 (SP4)
Windows 2000 Server (All)      Time Zone Editor (tzedit.exe)                Service Pack 4 (SP4)
     including  Small Business Server 2000

Windows 98, 98se & Me         Time Zone Editor (tzedit.exe)


Helpful Hints

  • If the computer that you wish to update does not have the correct service pack, then be sure to update it using Windows/Microsoft Update.
  • Save time when you have several computers to update by downloading and saving the update or tzedit program to a shared folder on your network.  Navigate to that shared folder and copy the file to the computer you are going to update, then run the update or tzedit from that computer’s hard drive.
  • Make absolutely sure that you modify your time zone when using the tzedit program.  It won’t do you any good to modify Eastern US & Canada if you are in and are using the Central US & Canada time zone.
  • Remember DST starts the Second Sunday in March and ends the First Sunday in November when using tzedit.
  • If you travel with your computer, be sure to change all time zones you travel to.

Helpful Links

Preparing for Daylight Savings Time in 2007

How to Configure Daylight Savings Time for the United States in 2007 - Microsoft

 

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