Y2K Protection for Home Computers as Close as Internet

It’s 78 days until the year 2000. But many computer users are still wondering if their PCs are Y2K-compliant.

Home PC users face less of a risk on the first day of the new year than businesses that rely on extensive computers networks. Consumers don’t need to buy fancy software to fix their systems and should be able to upgrade older models, experts say.

“The net effect of the timing getting out of sync is generally that you have to go in there and reset the date,” said Mike Ritter, director of consumer product marketing at Gateway Inc. “In corporate America, where everything is networked together, it could set off a chain reaction.”

To review, the Y2K glitch occurs because computer programmers traditionally have tried to conserve disk space by using two digits to represent a year. This works well until the computer hits the year 2000, which it could interpret as either 1900 or 2000.

If you simply do nothing, the computer may or may not function. But some software applications, such as money-management programs, and data files, such as spreadsheets, rely on accurate dates to function.

There are four steps to follow to ensure your home PC is Y2K-ready. First, check your hardware’s Y2K status by visiting the manufacturer’s Web site. Experts suggest all computer users test their machines, even if they own a fairly new model.

To test your PC, use the YMARK2000 test from National Software Testing Laboratories, a Conshohocken, Pa.-based testing services company, available online at https://www.nstl.com.

If your PC doesn’t pass, you may have to download an upgrade from the manufacturer’s Web site. This will ensure the computer’s basic input/output system, or BIOS, knows that it’s 2000 and not 1900. The BIOS, which is invisible to the user, helps the PC’s hardware and the software talk to each other.

Machines made before 1996 that use a 486 processor or older, may require installation of software utilities available free from most manufacturers, said Dave Cunningham, program manager for Dell Computer Corp.’s Y2K program.

After checking your hardware, you should make sure your operating system is Y2K-ready. Most users can do so by visiting Microsoft’s Y2K Web site for home PCs at https://computingcentral.msn.com/guide /year2000/msy2k/introducing /y2khome.asp. There, you can download a product analyzer that will check all Microsoft applications.

The third step involves checking your software programs. To do so, visit each software firm’s Web site or call their customer service center. IBM has a list with links to major software makers at its year 2000 site at https://www.pc.ibm.com/ year2000/software.html.

The fourth, and final, step involves checking data files--especially spreadsheets and databases. It is also necessary to check any data files you share with others. You can check these individually or purchase software that will scan groups of documents.

Computer manufacturers provide details about Y2K readiness of specific models at their Web sites. To check on your home PC, look for your manufacturer’s name in the accompanying chart.

Apple computers are already Y2K-compliant.

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PC Market

Second-quarter U.S. market share for major personal computer manufacturers:

Compaq: 16.8%

Dell: 16.4

IBM: 8.4

Gateway: 8.4

Hewlett-Packard: 8.2

Packard Bell NEC: 4.8

Apple: 4.6

Note: Personal computers from other manufacturers total 32.4% of market.

Source: Dataquest

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Times staff writer Jennifer Oldham can be reached at [email protected].