DOCUMENT:Q265387 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :SystemBiosDate Extraction Interprets Date as MM/DD/YY PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== On a Windows NT 4.0-based computer with a BIOS date that uses a four-digit date for the year 2000, Windows NT Diagnostics (Winmsd.exe) truncates the date and uses only the first two digits of the year 2000. For example, April 4, 2000, is interpreted as 04/04/20 instead of 04/04/2000. The BIOS date information is extracted from the following registry location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\SystemBiosDate CAUSE ===== The CmpGetBiosDates function reads dates from the BIOS and populates the registry entry each time the computer starts. Windows NT 4.0 assumes that dates are in the form of a MM/DD/YY string. However, BIOS manufacturers have expanded the date format to MM/DD/CCYY strings. If you run Windows NT 4.0 on a computer that has the new BIOS format, the year field is misinterpreted. RESOLUTION ========== A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT 4.0 service pack that contains this fix. To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: Date Time Size File name Platform ---------------------------------------------------- 06/14/00 01:26pm 954,944 Ntkrnlmp.exe Intel 06/14/00 01:26pm 934,528 Ntoskrnl.exe Intel 06/14/00 01:25pm 1,401,728 Ntkrnlmp.exe Alpha 06/14/00 01:25pm 1,373,632 Ntoskrnl.exe Alpha STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTSEnt400SP6a Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.