Can anyone recommend a free y2k hardware test AND fix? I know there are a lot of free testers out there but wonder if there is a freebie that also has a fix option. On one of my computers (a 1997 WIN 95b model)the RTC does not rollover.

Indeed - just go to the Utilites section of my site.

www.rkfdcore.com

During install just choose the Eval option, don't bother filling in your name or other info.

Thanks for your response. I did download Yes2k. I ran it on my wife's computer and got the CMOS info. Ran on mine and got the same message. On both computers I opted to have Yes2K monitor the date on startup and correct. The only thing I note is that upon startup of my computer I now get an error message that Yes2Kmon.exe is missing or corrupted and that there is an error on line 1 of the Config.sys file. I can get rid of that error message by restoring my config.sys file to an earlier setting (using Emergency Manager), but if I do that will the Yes2K date monitoring still continue? Windows and all programs load OK and function normally. Do not get any error message on my wife's computer.

What OS are you running? The monitor works in DOS, Win 3.x, and Win 9x - it does not work in OS2 or WinNT. The tester works in all of them, but the fix does not.

And no, if you remove the line from your config.sys, the monitor will NOT work. However, keep in mind, all the monitor does is pop up and tell you that you need to manually change the date. As long are you are aware of this fact, you can simply change the date yourself in January.

If you are running an OS that the fix should work in, reinstall it. I've never had a problem with it.

Thanx again Larry. I am running WIN95B. On my computer I run GoBack (www.goback.com). I suspect that GoBack may have something to do with that config.sys error message. The file is there by the way and it is probably not corrupted. I will probably just uninstall the tester now that I know what to expect. I guess I will know for sure when New Year's Day arrives and will hopefully have enough energy to reset the clock.

Larry,

I also downloaded the YES2K and ran it on both my Dell XPS R400 (circa 1998) and my HP 90 (circa 1994) and got the same message on both...that the CMOS reverts to 1900 when the century rolls over but that it is a minor problem because most things will get the date from the BIOS.

Then I checked Dell's site that says my compx is 2000 compliant but only mentions the BIOS as compliant. I downloaded NSTL's Y2000 program and ran it on the HP 90 and it passed the rollover and the leap year tests (BIOS).

So to make a long question longer, what's the difference between CMOS compliance and BIOS compliance?

I don't even want to talk about the problems McAfee's Clinic found with my programs. And guess what they're all MS programs, (came with the Dell I got last year), that have a problem
Thanks, Melinda

leem - that sounds reasonable. If you are too tired to change the date, you are probably too tired to use the computer

mmt - CMOS is the setup program (at boot when it says Press F1 or DEL to enter setup) that tells your computer what is installed. Most programs look to BIOS like the tester told you, but every now and again an odd one will check CMOS. That's why it is tested. If you let it install the patch it will fix this for you. Or, do as leem is doing - just manually go into setup the first time in 2000 that you power up and put the correct date in.

Ok, thanks Larry. I got the impression that I need to buy the program for the patch, yes?

Ohhh! I just noticed I've been promoted from Jr. Member to Member! How exciting! Ok, ok, I need a life

The patch is free, as is the program. The only time a purchase is required is if you are using it for a network installation in an office environment.

Glad you are a member - membership has its privildges. Now, every time you post a message... it will say you are a member!