Microsoft is warning customers that the switch to early
daylight-saving time this year isn't accounted for in a number of
its products, including Windows XP, and that users will need to
update their software to avoid potential problems.
U.S. daylight-saving time will start on March 11 this year -- three
weeks earlier than usual. The change was authorized by the U.S.
Energy Policy Act of 2005, but Microsoft says its Y2K-like
implications mean computer users need to parry like it's
1999.
"Unless certain updates are applied to your computer, it is
possible that the time zone settings for your computer's system
clock may be incorrect during this four-week period," the software
maker said in a statement issued Tuesday.
That could lead to all kinds of problems, from calendaring
applications not working properly to key, automated processes not
taking place on time.
Microsoft said the fix is already built into Windows Vista and
Office 2007, but that earlier operating systems and applications
could be hit by the problem. As of Tuesday, the company had
released an update for Windows XP SP2 users via its Automatic
Updates service. Users need to ensure they have Auto Update
enabled.
Most of Microsoft's other major products, including Outlook 2007
and its predecessors, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Visual Studio,
Windows CE, and a number of others, need to be updated, meaning
some long nights may be in store for IT staffers leading up to the
time switch.
Microsoft also warned that the problem isn't limited to its
software. Consumer appliances such as VCRs and digital radios may
not automatically adjust to the early start of daylight-saving
time. Many systems on the business technology side also could be
affected. IBM, for instance, has issued updates for some of its
disk storage products and other systems.
In a research report, IT advisory firm Gartner is advising
businesses to establish company-wide communications programs
informing employees about possible effects of the early time
changeover and to ensure that their tech departments are fully
staffed on March 11 and 12.
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Why fix the unbroken parts? And for countries like Singapore, where
DST don't even apply, I don't see the need for following US just
because of this? Already got so many computer problems... they are
just adding fuel to fire. 
