Microsoft KB Archive/265387

= SystemBiosDate Extraction Interprets Date as MM/DD/YY Instead of MM/DD/CCYY =

PSS ID Number: 265387

Article Last Modified on 10/16/2002

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP4
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP6
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP6a
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0

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This article was previously published under Q265387



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 that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. 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, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical 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 that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Keywords: kbbug kbQFE KB265387

Technology: kbWinNT400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400SP6a kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNTWsearch

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