Microsoft flags upcoming daylight saving changes

PCs, servers and mobile devices can be updated by visiting
www.microsoft.com.au/daylightsaving

Sydney, Australia – 25 September, 2008 - With the start of daylight saving time occurring three weeks earlier this year, on Sunday 5 October, in some Australian states, Microsoft today reminded its customers to check computers and devices to ensure they are updated to accommodate the change.

In October 2007, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and South Australia agreed to join with Tasmania to harmonise their daylight saving start and end dates. From this year on, daylight saving commences at 2am on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am on the first Sunday in April. The new arrangements do not affect Western Australia and daylight saving is not observed in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Microsoft said that many of its customers would already be prepared for the upcoming change after a special software update was made available in April when the new daylight saving arrangements began. Customers who have Microsoft Automatic Updates* switched on also would have already received the daylight saving software update.

However, Microsoft is recommending additional vigilance where customers, and particularly businesses, have added new software products since the end of daylight saving time in April. Customers who are unsure about the status of their systems should also take extra care.

"Microsoft customers can ensure their Microsoft Windows PCs, servers and mobile devices will automatically update their internal clocks on the new daylight saving start and end dates by visiting www.microsoft.com.au/daylightsaving for more information or calling 13 20 58," said Ben English, Technical Audience Manager, Microsoft Australia.

"The downloadable software update will adjust products like Windows, Outlook, Windows Mobile and other time dependent systems, but it’s advisable to double check calendar appointments after the change to be on the safe side," said Mr English.

The importance of a smooth transition to daylight saving has been recognised by Senator the Hon. Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, who said it was important for Australians to be aware of the daylight saving time start date and to actively confirm that their computer systems are ready to make the transition correctly.

"Computer systems are extensively used for everyday business and personal purposes and their smooth operation is essential to the continued growth of Australia’s digital economy," he said.

For more information, Microsoft customers should visit
www.microsoft.com.au/daylightsaving or call 13 20 58.

*Automatic Updates: Microsoft updates are additions to software that can prevent or fix problems, enhance the security of the computer, or improve the computer's performance. Microsoft strongly recommends that its customers turn on Windows automatic updating so that Windows can install security and other important or recommended updates as they become available.