Microsoft KB Archive/236057

= PRB: User BIOS Reset Causes Problems with SourceSafe =

PSS ID Number: 236057

Article Last Modified on 5/1/2001

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Visual SourceSafe for Windows 5.0
 * Microsoft Visual SourceSafe for Windows 6.0

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This article was previously published under Q236057



SYMPTOMS
Database is corrupted by file check in operations after the Year 2000 rollover.



CAUSE
A computer has a non-Year 2000 compliant BIOS that causes the system clock to be reset to an invalid date and time at the year 2000 rollover. Subsequently, when you check in source code to the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) tree, the date and time of the computer will be used for the check in of that file. Without a correct date and time the computer will corrupt the database.



RESOLUTION
Microsoft recommends that all VSS computers BIOS be Year 2000 compliant and ensure that all client computer clocks are synchronized to the same time. To ensure this BIOS problem will not affect your VSS database, Microsoft recommends you make sure these are no files checked out during the date and time at the year 2000 rollover. Also, make sure that all system clocks have the correct date and time set before continuing to use the VSS product. Microsoft also strongly recommends that you backup your VSS database prior to the date and time rollover at the end of 1999.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
Because VSS is not a client server architecture, all Source Code Control functions are performed on the computer. With this design, clocks that are not synchronized can cause inconsistent history data especially on files marked for shared checkout.

