110. How Do I Restore Missing Time Zones

The time zones are important for making sure your PC’s clock runs correctly. However, there are occasion when only one time zone is available in the Time Zone option of the Date and Time Properties box. The cause of this problem is usually a registry key containing time zone information that is missing. To remedy the problem proceed as follows.

It should be noted that to repair this problem you will need access to another computer running Windows XP. The reason for this is that you will need to export a registry key from this ‘other’ PC to a floppy disk or other back-up media and then Import it into your own machine.

From another Windows XP Machine click the Start button.
From the Start Menu Click Run.
In the Run Dialogue box type: regedit.
The registry editor will now open.
Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Time Zones.
Highlight Time Zone and then Click File on the main Toolbar.
From the drop down menu select Export.
The Export Registry Window Appears. Type in a name for the file you intend to Export and save it to a floppy disk (the file size is around 71KB).
Now close down the registry editor.
Take the floppy disk back home with you and boot up your own pc.
Follow steps 1 through 5.
Insert the floppy disk with your Time Zone exported file on into your floppy drive.
At step 5, again highlight the Time Zone key then click File on the main toolbar and, from the drop down menu select Import.
The Import registry File Window will appear.
Navigate to the floppy drive and locate the Time Zone File and then click on the file.
A message should now appear saying you have successfully imported the registry key into the Windows registry.
Finally Exit the Windows Registry.
You should now have your full compliment of time zones.