SP2a released for SQL Server 2005

We had previously posted about SP2 release for SQL Server 2005. If you recall, in SQL Server 2000, when SP3 was released, it was followed by a patch release of SP3a to fix the 2 severity 1 bugs reported in that service pack. Likewise, MSFT released a SP2a patch for the second service pack for SQL Server 2005 to fix the issues with the maintenance plans. If you have not yet upgraded to SP2, the current SP2 download has that fix. If you have upgraded to SP2, use the download from here to patch the system. And KB 933508 has more information on this patch.

Updating Windows Mobile Devices With the Daylight Savings Time Patch

The Microsoft daylight savings time (DST) patch has received a huge amount of coverage in the past few weeks. IT administrators have been busy applying the patches to all of the workstations, laptops, and servers that reside within their respective organizations.

But what about the road-warriors that are currently travelling around the globe with their smart phones and PDAs running Windows Mobile? What do these users need to do to make sure they are in compliance and ready to face the post-March 11 world?

Options for Windows Mobile Users:

Thankfully, patching Windows Mobile devices is a fairly straightforward task, and in the spirit of mobility, can be performed from virtually anywhere as long as the device has connectivity to the Internet. The update is done via an installation CAB file that is downloaded to the device. Users simply need to launch their Internet Explorer Mobile browsers and go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/ and download the Daylight Savings Time 2007 Update.

Updating and Synchronizing from Your PC:

If the update cannot be downloaded directly to the mobile device via the above-mentioned link, users have two other options available to them via a PC:

Option 1 - Download the update CAB file to the PC from:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/eula_daylightsavings_1033.mspx 

Then send it via email to the mobile device.

Option 2 -The mobile device can be connected to a PC via a USB connection and synchronized with the PC using the Daylight Savings Time 2007 Update Tool for Windows Mobile. You will obviously want to make sure that your PC has been update with its appropriate version of the DST patch. You will also need to make sure you are using ActiveSync version 4.5. The Update Tool for Windows Mobile can be downloaded from the following location:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/8/8/a8896b5f-69d7-4381-b12d-6fe27ff0d07a/Setup.msi 

Microsoft Products Affected by the Daylight Savings Time Patch (DST)

Considering the current rush to apply the Microsoft daylight savings time patch (DST), it may be wise to step back for a moment and analyze exactly which Microsoft products actually require the patch. Some products, like Windows Vista and beta versions of Longhorn, are already in compliance and do not require any further action. Also, there are older legacy operating systems, specifically NT 4.0, that are not DST patch supported at all - anyone still running an NT 4.0 need to be aware of this.

Below is a list of what actions need to be taken for each Windows operating system:

No Updates Needed:

• Windows Vista
• Windows Longhorn
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard and Premium Editions
• Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Standard and Premium Editions

Updates Available:

• Windows XP SP2
• Windows Server 2003
• Windows Server 2003 SP1
• Windows Embedded for Point of Service
• Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

Updates Available (under Extended Hotfix Support):

• Windows 2000

Not Supported - no updates available:

• Windows XP SP1
• Windows NT 4.0

In addition to the operating systems, these Microsoft products are directly affected by the DST legislation:

• SharePoint Services
• Exchange Server
• Office Outlook
• Office Live Meeting
• Dynamics CRM
• SQL Server Notification Services
• Entourage

Of course, the 2007 versions of Office and Exchange are already in compliance and do not require any additional patching. SharePoint Services 3.0 also does not require any patch application. Exchange Server 2003 SP1 must first be updated to SP2.