The "Millennium Bug", as this situation is sometimes referred to, is actually going to take three bites at your computer system. It could effect your hardware (firmware), your operating system and the software on your computer.
Hardware Issues.
The first problem that needs to be addressed on your computer is the
hardware issue. The hardware that we refer to is the BIOS (Basic Input
Output System). This system reads the ROM (Read Only Memory) and tells
your computer what it is and where it is every time it starts (boots) up.
The BIOS transfers information between many components of your computer.
Just one of those components is the RTC (Real Time Clock). The RTC is what
keeps track of the time and date on your computer.
Now, when your computer starts up, it looks at the BIOS to decide who and what it is. Once it has decided on that, your computer then reads the information from the RTC and sets up the time and date. Unfortunately, when your BIOS was built, the people that created it probably didn't allow for the year 2000 and beyond. (Note, many hardware vendors will NOT be shipping Year 2000 compliant personal computers until mid, or late 1997.)
Many computers when they start in the new millennium will 'think' it's 1/1/1900, or 1/4/1984 or 1/4/1980, or they might even get it right and automatically roll over to 1/1/2000 all by themselves. The fact is, unless the computer is tested, no one can tell you what will happen!
But the problem doesn't end there!
The year 2000 is a leap year. Many computers do not know this. There is still another problem in 2001 it's not a leap year and for some reason - many computers think 2001 is a leap year.
So, each and every personal computer could have a range of problems. The only way to find out is to test each and every computer.
Step 1: BIOS
Correction -
Here we will find out more information about your BIOS
(Basic Input Output
System). The sites that you are about to visit are not actually owned
by SBHS, But they have proven themselves extremely useful in the effort
to overcome our problems with the "Millennium
Bug".
A) There are different directions to follow depending on the type and age of your motherboard and BIOS chip-set. If you have a 486DX33 or later, you should be able to upgrade your BIOS ROM with what's called a "Flash BIOS" upgrade, these are generally free to download from the Internet.
There is a complete site on the Internet dedicated to BIOS information. The address for it is http://www.ping.be/bios/search.html. Here you will find a search feature. Type in your BIOS ID string and click on search. If the information is available, it will return the information.
If you find a response with the EXACT BIOS ID String, download the file and use as directed by the site/manufacturer. Note: The Flash BIOS does not fix the year 2000 problem, it merely patches it and will render it useful in the year 2000.
Once you have installed the Flash BIOS upgrade, your BIOS should work correctly (If you test it again with Survive 2000 or Willit it will still appear to be faulty because it is only a patch, not a fix) Note: If you attempt to use an incorrect or "close enough!" Flash BIOS upgrade, there is a high probably that you will render the computer USELESS. You have been warned!!!!!!
B) If you have had a look for a "Flash BIOS" upgrade and failed to find one, you are going to be up for a new BIOS chip-set or possibly even a whole new motherboard. Use your BIOS ID String to identify the brand of your motherboard by **Clicking Here** (If you haven't already) and entering the BIOS ID String that the Survive 2000TM software produced in testing. There are literally thousands of motherboards so please take care and get the most correct response.
If you are NOT Successful: in finding the brand of your motherboard
at this site, you still might have a couple of options.
If you have an Award BIOS, Award do keep records of to whom they supply
their BIOS, you can contact Award support by **Clicking
Here**
If you have an AMI BIOS, you can access the following services by clicking
on the appropriate link: BIOS Support,
Motherboard Support
If you have a Phoenix BIOS, read question 6 on this page. http://www.firmware.com/pb4ts/year2000.htm
If you cannot identify the mother board manufacturer, but you have the chip set information, there is still a possibility that you can get a third party upgrade from Mr BIOS or another 3rd Party BIOS Vendor.
If all this fails, a new motherboard will have to be fitted between now and the Year 2000 (ASAP is probably best!) Contact a local computer store that supplies hardware and ask them for any information and prices on Y2K (Year 2000) Compliant motherboards/chip-sets. (Warning, outside the USA, it is HIGHLY unlikely that Y2K OK components will be available before the end of 1997.) We strongly recommend that you use the stores repair service to either change the motherboard or chip-set. Incorrect handling or procedures with vital computer parts could cost a great deal of unnecessary headaches and many dollars to replace!
If you are Successful: in obtaining the correct brand of motherboard (i.e.: AMI, Award or Phoenix) and the Flash BIOS upgrade is not available, you have three more options:
1: Contact a 3rd party BIOS vendor like Mr. BIOS.
2: If a fix cannot be found or doesn't exist, the motherboard will have to be replaced to achieve Year 2000 compatibility. Very few companies are supporting computers more than 2 or 3 years old.
3. The final option open to users is the year 2000 fix available with
your Survive 2000 Package.