Getting your computer ready for Y2K
Hi guys,
It has been 2 or 3 months since I last visited/posted on this thread ... It got quite dead, so I dropped the bookmark ... seems that it has become a lot more active lately.
I have been gradually getting my own computer ready for Y2K and thought I would just summarize the process below on the chance it might help someone else.
1. First of all download the free test2000.zip program from the following site.
rightime.com
After unzipping it, copy test.exe into your c:\ directory and then restart your computer using START - SHUTDOWN - RESTART IN MS DOS MODE. Run test2000.exe and follow the instructions to test your motherboard, bios and clock.
2. Next make sure that you you have the latest Windows and explorer patches from Microsoft from the following Windows 98 Update link (or by selecting TOOLS - WINDOWS UPDATE on your MS Explorer 5 Menu - I think it was under HELP on MS Explorer 4, but I am not sure or you can go START - WINDOWS UPDATE on Windows 98).
windowsupdate.microsoft.com
It is a good idea to install all of the non-Y2K updates and fixes as well, since your computer will operate much more smoothly with them.
If you have Windows 95 or earlier versions, I believe that you can find those Windows Y2K updates at the next site listed below.
3. Update any other Microsoft products that you might have free using Microsoft's Year 2000 Update Site ... Check individual Microsoft products under 'Product Guide'
microsoft.com
4. Visit the sites of vendors of any other application products that you have and look for Y2K updates.
5. As a final check, download the free lite version of the Discover Y2K Analysis Program at this site.
ey2konline.com
This may show up anything that you have missed. For example the above program told me that my version 3 of free Acrobat Reader plug-in was not compliant and from the Adobe site I downloaded the the new version 4, which is.
It may also flag some DLL's etc which havn't yet been updated by the manufacturers. Mostly I think you have to wait for those to get updated in later releases of products. Some DLL's may also have been left in when you uninstalled products, but either all files were not removed or you declined to remove them as a result of the window's warning message that said they might be used by some other program, and suggest you check YES to leave them on your drive. In that case they will be out of date but cause no harm.
:-))
John
PS - We have a 5kw gasoline generator which we plan to use only about 3 hours per day, used car batteries for lights at other times, a woodstove, etc. We have been stocking up on canned foods, pasta, etc and have set aside some cash.
BTW, I just put the bookmark back on.
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