Year 2000

The Year 2000 has presented many problems that both computer users and non 
computer users would face. Much of the problem should be resolved at this
updated writing. There would have been 4 Waves:

1  Credit Card Companys with expirations dates of 2000 & after, most fixed.
2  Dec 31, 1999 will be the biggest wave when personal computers will no 
   longer be able to keep track of dated information. This issue involves
   the computer BIOS, operating system, and software program.
3  Note: The  Millenium change is Dec 31, 2000, not 1999.

The Problem will affect:
         PC users at home and office
         Banks & Financial Institutions - mostly fixed
         Many and Varied Government agencies - mostly fixed
         Air Lines - mostly fixed
         Hospitals & medical institutions & offices - mostly fixed

The Government is NOW expected to have all their computers and softwware 
corrected. 

You, the consumer need to be alert and do some careful checking on your
      Social Security credits & payments
      Bank statements, deposits, charges, etc
      Investments & Interest
      Home Mortgages & Loans
      Various Taxes 
just to be sure you are not affected.

PC's for you, the consumer will be a very big issue. If You Have a XT, 286, 
386, or 486, You have a definite problem if you use anything that requires a 
date. If you just play games, or type letters, you should be OK. Some Pentium 
computers are also a problem and they will not know "Y2000" as it is called.

Since there is also both a Hardware and Software Issue here, if the computer
complies but the software doesn't or visa versa, you still will have a problem
because the hardware isn't going to follow the software. If you have software 
more than a year old, you have a software issue problem

Most software Publishers will tell you that you must upgrade to a newer 
version; Do it!

I still find customers with the original IBM PC or XT or 286 out there and 
they are in real trouble. Most claim they paid $3500 or more and want to get 
their money's worth, which now is more than 10 years, but they are still going 
and going and going. I find it incredible how many are still in use. I just 
worked on one two days ago.

The software problem boils down to the fact that software relies on entering 
only 2 digits of the date for simplicity, the 98 instead of 1998. As a matter 
of fact, some software you still enter the 1998 but only the 98 is calculated 
and the problem still exists. You need to contact your software publisher to 
find out if the program you are using is Y2000 compliant and that goes for each
piece of software.

There is a simple test you can perform to find out whether your computer is 
"Y2000" compliant. There are even software companies selling diagnostic 
software, but you don't need to purchase it to find out.

Here is how to test your computer hardware:

     Get to the C Prompt in DOS or "shut down" Windows 95 to C
     Type Date and set the date to Dec 31, 1999
     Type Time and set the time to 11:58 PM or so and then turn off the 
              computer 
     Wait 3 or more minutes untill you are sure you have gone past Midnight
     Turn on the computer and get back to the same C prompt in DOS or shut 
         down to C from Windows 95
     Type Date and see if you have 2000 or 1980 or 1900 or something else

The cost of upgrading may be somewhat costly if it is not compliant. It may run
a minimum of $250 plus installation to change the system motherboard and 
related components. IF it is upgradable. Many computers 
will not be upgradable. Many manufacturers such as Compaq and Packard Bell 
will simply tell you they do not support "outdated models"

There is a software fix, but I don't recommend it. It is temporary & annoying.
The software sees 1980 or less as a date and it sends a correction to the 
computer. The problem with this, is the software is loaded from a configuration
file and if anything accidently disables this fix, (this is a common event), you
may be operating without knowing the fix is working and your data will get all 
screwed up. This is already a common problem with CD Sound and modem drivers. 
New software added to the computer changes these configuration files and knocks
out these drivers.    

There is a predicted legal issue that is expected to flood the courts. Most of
these will die because everyone has had adaquate warning to fix the issue.

I have been made aware of the Y2000 issue by not only customers but insurance 
salespeople, and lawyers. There are now insurance salespeople selling insurance 
to protect us from the problem. I have talked to lawyers and get conflicting 
answers, which is typical. Basically, I am told & you should know that you can 
sue anybody for anything and that sometimes lawyers do it just for an 
insurance settlement. New policies have been written to specifically exclude 
the year 2000 problem.

There may be a big liability issue expected to be aimed at programmers, 
consultants, computer manufacturers, and software publishers. A recently
passed federal law should put a halt to this.

There are several Internet sites with more information such as www.year2000.com