MBug

Whilst the Millennium Bug threat has now passed with the last possibility of it causing problems being the end of Feb 2000, the problem still exists for anyone who is about to obtain, or is seeking to re-activate, an older PC such as a 486 or possibly, an early Pentium 75.

If this applies to you then read this page.

Millennium Bug
1. Check Hardware	Click this test2000.zip to download a zip fiile which when unzipped (to 2000.exe) will check your hardware, or get it and more info., from:: http://www.nstl.com/html/ymark_2000.html or http://www.rightime.com/ if nstl.com is down See brief instructions before clicking the link above

2. Check Software		Http://www.astuk.com/y2kdown.html See brief instructions before clicking the link above
3. ..then stop worrying !!!

Brief Instructions: (For general info from PC World see Y2K.html)

To assure yourself that your PC will have no trouble from the Millenium Bug, then you have to check both your hardware and the software that you are using.

Hardware Test

If your PC was made after 1992, but not within last 2 years, the hardware should be OK although you may need to manually reset the date on 1st Jan 2000.

If your PC was made within the last 2 years, then it's 90% sure it will be fully compatible.

To check your PC quickly, then use the link (at the top of the page). This will take about 30 seconds to download.

Once downloaded, double click the file and let it self-extract to a folder (extract to Windows folder if possible).

Use the Start Button to restart your computer in DOS MODE

In DOS change to the folder (cd/<folder name>, or cd\ then cd <folder name>) or if you extracted to Windows folder, then you don't need to use the cd command.

Enter: 2000

Click Y to agree to conditions

The program will check 'up to 2000 dates', then 'after 2000 dates'

If it fails on either, read and note the instructions given. If you are informed that you BIOS needs updating then you can get this from http://www.rightime.com/

To restart Windows enter: Exit

Software Test
This is a lot trickier.

It depends on 2 factors:1. The Software you have installed, 2. How you use the software

Software

If you have the latest or previous Microsoft software, then you'll only need to watch data you are brining in from other sources, all MS software is Year200 compliant. See MSYr2000.html - quite a few pages but worth the read.

If you have old software then you will not to check that it is Year200 compliant.

To check for compliancy use the Check Software link at the top of the page. Note that this will take some time to download so do it in the evening when the call rate is cheaper.

How you use the software

Generally, use four digit year codes (e.g. yyyy) dates in your data and/or programs that you may have written.

For general info from PC World see Y2K.htm