Your Computer vs. the Year 2000

No major Y2K problems have been reported at the University. If you believe you have been hit by the Y2K bug, please call the HelpDesk at 348-2435.

The Year 2000 problem spans the entire information technology industry. It arises from the nearly universal practice over the years of using two-digits rather than four to designate the calendar year (e.g. "98" instead of "1998"). While many people believe that it is confined to large corporations with older computers, everyone who uses anything computerized needs to be aware of the implications. Any Year 2000 compliance effort has to focus on the following: Hardware. Basically every computer has some built-in function to determine the date. In PC's this is called the Real Time Clock (RTC), but they are not the only machines that could be affected by date functions in the hardware. Software. Even if your hardware is Year 2000 compliant, you can still run into problems with your software. This includes everything from operating systems to spreadsheet programs. (Is your computer still displaying a two digit year? Change the date display to identify potential problems.) Methodology. Even if all of your computer hardware and software are Year 2000 compliant, you have to make sure all of your practices are. People are used to using two digits for the year. If all of this wasn't enough, there are other issues that you should be aware of, such as embedded systems, telecommunications, and banking. Read through the information on this site, then send e-mail to y2k@ua.edu if you have any questions or concerns. You can also call the Seebeck Computer Center HelpDesk at 348-2435. Good luck in your Year 2000 compliance effort!

The information on this web site is intended to provide general information about the year 2000 problem and achieving year 2000 readiness and to provide links to other year 2000 resources of interest to the University of Alabama community.

All past and present information regarding year 2000 on this web site provided by The University of Alabama are intended as "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosures" as defined in the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-271) (the "Act"). All year 2000 statements, as defined in the Act, made by a person or entity other than the University are "republications" under the Act. The University has not independently verified the contents, or the accuracy or completeness thereof, of any republications and takes no responsibility for the information contained therein.

The University of Alabama makes no warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied, including, without limitation, warranties of accuracy, completeness, reliability, timeliness, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose about any of the information contained herein. The University's provision of this information shall not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice nor as a guarantee that its use will solve, eliminate, or prevent year 2000 problems.

Republications on this web site shall not be construed as the University's promotion or endorsement of any consumer product or service, any year 2000 remediation product or any person, business, or organization mentioned or described therein.

All information on this web site made by the University is considered public information that may be freely copied and distributed; however, there are links to other web sites that may contain proprietary and copyrighted material that is not considered public information.

Last modified on January 05, 2000.

If you have comments or questions about the material contained on this site, please send e-mail to y2k@ua.edu.
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