Microsoft this week issued a second Beta release of NT version 5.0 to 250,000 testers. But with testing just beginning and a third Beta release expected, a date has yet to be announced for the full release. However, senior company staff are already talking of post-NT 5.0 features such as real-time audio and video.

The first reported bug in Windows 98 has been admitted by Microsoft, which said it will post a fix on its Windows Update Website. The bug causes the system calendar to jump forward or back one or two days when the system is rebooted seconds before midnight.