13. How does the Windows operating system handle a BIOS rollover problem?
It depends on the version of Microsoft Windows. In newer versions, logic has been included to compensate for a BIOS rollover problem. Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.51 (with Service Pack 5), and Windows NT 4.0 (with Service Pack 4) will all recognize 1900 as an error and automatically compensate by setting the date to 2000.
Yet even with these versions of the Windows operating system (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.51, and Windows NT 4.0), there are instances when a computer might still encounter BIOS issues. For example:
- Some types of BIOS revert to 1900 every time the system reboots, and will need Windows to repeatedly correct the computer's clock throughout the year 2000. When the year reaches 2001 (and the system resets itself to 1901), Windows will not correct the date.
- Other types of BIOS have error handling built into them that reset a 1900 date before the Microsoft operating system becomes involved. If the date provided by the BIOS is incorrect but in a valid date format (for example, 1993), Windows will not perform corrective steps.
For these reasons, it is recommended that you identify the BIOS make and version number of your computer, contact the hardware manufacturer, and follow the recommendations of the manufacturer for making sure that your hardware is year 2000 ready.
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