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IU offers Y2K readiness tips for the home personal computer
Dec. 14, 1999
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- While the world worries about the havoc that mainframe computers may cause on Jan. 1, another type of computer breakdown could be just as frustrating for millions of people.
More than 50 percent of U.S. households own a personal computer (PC), according to the research firm Odyssey. Without a team of Y2K specialists to consult, the average PC owner may be tempted to buy a new computer rather than fix their existing one. IU's University Information Technology Services offers the following tips to equip the PC user to handle the century rollover.
The Y2K problem arises when a computer stores dates using two characters for the year instead of four, and thus could interpret the year 2000 (designated 00) as 1900. How a personal computer is affected will depend primarily on how it is used. If it is used only for non-date-dependent operations, such as word processing, then the user probably will not notice any Y2K-related problems. However, for programs requiring the correct date, such as finance management software, the computer will need to be Y2K-compliant.
Before making any changes, all data files and programs should be backed up.
In general, hardware manufactured prior to 1997 may not be Y2K-compliant. However, Apple Macintosh hardware has been Y2K-compliant since it was introduced in 1984. Pentium-class processors, versus those designated 486, 386 or 286, also are more likely to be Y2K-compliant. The computer manufacturer's Web site can be checked for information about potential hardware problems and, in some cases, solutions.
A PC's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and real-time clock will determine whether the computer is Y2K-compliant. The BIOS takes control of the computer when it is turned on and interacts with the computer's real-time clock to establish the date that the operating system uses. Some operating systems, such as Windows 95, 98 and NT, may correct for a non-compliant BIOS.
For those who are comfortable troubleshooting, it may be possible to upgrade a BIOS with a flash upgrade. The computer vendor should be consulted to find out if the BIOS is Y2K-compliant or if a flash upgrade is available. Various utilities are available to test the BIOS for Y2K readiness, including a free product from the National Testing Laboratories that can be found on the Internet at http://www.nstl.com/html/nstl_y2k_testing_services.html
If the BIOS still is not Y2K-compliant after upgrading the operating system and software to Y2K-compliant versions, further testing can determine if the operating system compensates.
Both the PC's operating system, which controls the workings of the computer, and application software, which enables the computer to perform a particular type of task, may need to be upgraded. Upgrading the operating system may require an upgrade or replacement of the computer hardware because of increased demands on memory, disk space and the processor. Y2K-compliant operating systems include Mac OS, most Unix operating systems, and Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0 (with service packs and Y2K patches applied). Systems running DOS and Windows 3.x may require manual intervention to set the date.
Upgrading the operating system will further necessitate checking the application software for Y2K compliance. If using the computer requires correct dates, problems could still exist with non-compliant application software, even with a compliant BIOS and operating system. The vendor can confirm which versions of an application software program are Y2K-compliant.
Finally, personal data files need to be considered. PC users should plan to carefully check date-sensitive files that were created in earlier software versions for correct dates when upgrading to newer versions.
Testing is the last phase of Y2K readiness and should be executed with great care. If it is not essential that the computer be running perfectly right away, it is possible to wait and see what happens. However, it may take a few days to fix any problems that arise. Before testing, all data and programs should be backed up. Passwords should be checked to make sure they are not set to expire before forward-dating the computer's clock. Setting your computer's clock ahead may cause some software or passwords to expire. Finally, set the clock ahead and look for various scenarios, including whether the clock rolls over correctly when the computer is turned on, reset and turned off, and whether the software performs properly after the date rolls over correctly.
For more detailed information about preparing a PC for the year 2000, as well as links to manufacturers, upgrades and other technical resources, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~year2000/yourpc/yourpc.html
(Jen McCormick, 812-855-5393, jenmccor@indiana.edu)