Daylight Savings Time Software Updates

During 2007 the change to Daylight Savings Time will occur earlier in the year than it has in the past (March 11, 2007), and will end later in the year (November 4, 2007).  This change in schedule has been made in an effort to maximize the environmental benefits of an extended period of daylight.  For more information about the changes to Daylight Savings Time you can visit http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574472/Daylight_Saving.html

This change may cause a problem for pieces of technology equipment that have been designed to automatically reset their time according to the old Daylight Savings Time schedule.

Some of the devices that may be affected include:

 

There are two options for correcting this problem on Desktop & Notebook computers:

  1.  Update the software on the device

  2.  Turn off the Daylight Savings Time auto-adjustment feature and change the time on your device manually.

Option 1, above, provides an opportunity to install many software patches that are available, in addition to the DST patch, and it is the recommended method of correcting the problem.

Directions are included below for each solution.  If you have difficulty, or would prefer to have this taken care of for you please call or e-mail to set up an appointment.  Since the process is an easy one, the steps listed below should allow you to take care of this quickly if you choose.

 

Option 1: Software Updates

Microsoft has made software updates available for download to correct the DST problem.  These updates are part of the normal software update process that should be occurring automatically on your computer.  Assuming that your machine is properly downloading and installing all Microsoft “Critical” updates, no other action is necessary.  However, many computers do not automatically download these updates for a variety of reasons.  For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you update the Windows software on your computer according to the following steps in order to minimize the chance that you will be affected by this issue.

 

Please Note: The updates are intended to correct problems, improve performance, and increase the security of your Windows software.  The likelihood that the installation of these patches could cause a problem is very small, but it does exist.  Any time you make changes to the Windows software there is some risk of software damage.  For that reason, it is recommended that you backup your important data regularly and avoid making software changes during “critical use periods” (i.e. the night before the big presentation is due) 

 

To Run Microsoft Update on your Windows XP Computer, perform the following steps:

1)    Reboot the computer  (Turn off the machine, then turn it back on)

2)    Click Start

3)    If you see a one-column list, look near the top;
If you see a two-column list, Click “All Programs”, then look near the top
Click “Microsoft Update”.    (if that is not available, click “Windows Update”)

4)    The following screen will offer two buttons “Express” & “Custom”
Click Custom
On the Left side of the screen you will see a column with three categories
        High Priority
        Software, Optional
        Hardware, Optional
(the number beside the words indicates how many of that type of update are available)

 

5)      Notice that the boxes beside the items in High Priority have checkmarks beside them

6)      Click on “Software, Optional” on the left side of the screen

7)      On the right side of the screen, place a checkmark beside each of the items listed

8)      Near the top of the screen, click the link that says “Review and Install Updates”

9)      On the next screen, click the button labeled “Install Updates”

10)  If you are asked to accept a license agreement click “Accept”

11)  Be Patient – This process can take a very long time to complete

 

The update process will download the updates that you’ve selected, and will then install them.

At the end of the process you will get a screen that asks you to reboot your PC

Once these updates have been installed, and the PC has been rebooted, your machine should be protected from problems due to DST changes.

 

Option 2: Disable DST Auto-Adjustment

1)      On March 11, 2007

2)      Right-click on the clock in the lower right corner of the Windows screen

3)      On the popup menu, click “Adjust Date/Time”

4)      Click the “Time Zone” tab

5)      Click to remove the checkmark in the box beside the statement “Automatically Adjust Clock for Daylight Savings Changes”

6)      Click the Date & Time tab

7)      Adjust the computer’s time to the correct DST time

8)      On November 4, 2007 follow these steps again to reset the time back to standard time

  

For more information about the Daylight Savings Time change, please visit: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst