will the extended daylight savings time cause problems with computers?

Answer 1

Yes: Vista computers have built-in corrections. XP updates are supposedly available, but not everyone has them downloaded, especially folks who do not have "auto-update" activated. My PDA, an HP iPaq, is not update-able, so it will automatically change time at the *old* time, and so ActiveSync will be a problem. Telephones which sync automatically will cause problems between all of these. So, for a month, there may be some havoc.

Answer 2

Only if operating systems and scheduling/calendaring applications aren't patched. For many home users, that means Windows and Outlook.

The potential problem with unpatched machines is that they won't automatically "spring forward" and "fall back" on the correct dates. So their clocks will be an hour behind for about three weeks in spring (mid-March to the first Sunday in April), and an hour ahead for one week in fall (late October to the first Sunday in November).

So, worst case, you're looking at a total of four weeks where the computer clock will be off, or you'll have to change the time settings manually. Not a huge problem, and certainly not on the scale of Y2K.

Answer 3

There should be an option somewhere to turn on daylight savings time somewhere with the system clock....i think by default it is on. If you are using windows XP the there is a setting that has the clock sync up with a server so the time should never be incorrect (you have to enter your time-zone).

Answer 4

There is a good article today at CNN technology. You might want to read it. The title is "Daylight-saving bug could foil computers"
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/02/19/daylight.saving.bug.ap/index.html?eref=rss_tech

Answer 5

This reminds me of the Y2K scare... no, there will be no major problems, and most likely your computer will adjust itself for the event.