old informix db variable question

We have an older copy of informix that came with an application, IRC Hedge. I know you are going to say it is not supported...but, we have been using it with solaris 2.3/2.4 frontends with no problems, until now. I have installed the application on two ss5s running solaris 2.4. The user environments are practically identical. The one works correctly and the other brings up a date 'Today' which defaults to 12/31/1899, which I understand is Informix's default date if it is unable to obtain it from the system. What I would like to know is where is this variable 'Today' trying to get the date from? If we installed the system incorrectly, we can correct the problem if we know what 'Today' is calling. Otherwise, all of his other applications work correctly. Thanks if you can help. --- Shining tears were in the Lion's eyes, and he said "Pain and grief are great. Only you and I in this land know this yet...Let us be good to one another." -Tales of Narnia