Had a software co. stiff me on delivery and set-up for a new system during the last month. I have an older custom system set-up for distribution co.'s that runs off DOS (386 processor). Is there a way I can change the date or make any other alterations that can buy some time until we get the new system up and running. Is there some type of "windowing" process that can work in a case like this? Thanks for any assistance that can be provided.

-- gfc (gfc40@hotmial.com), December 23, 1999

Answers

Talk to your lawyer about filing for
bankruptcy. If you file early you'll
beat the rush.

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), December 23, 1999.

Better be able to go back to manual processing!! Remember how you did it before you bought that computer? Lack of contingency plans, fix on failure, you are just one of 800,000 small businesses who didn't properly prepare. Best of luck.

-- ohioan (ohioan@lost.com), December 23, 1999.

A DOS (386 processor)???? I used those in 1981!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hope you're not running a Mexican power plant!!!

-- nemo (noname@this time.com), December 23, 1999.

No nemo - you did NOT use a 386 in 1981 dumbass.
and what did you think about the Hubble having its 486 cpu replaced ?

-- Dan G (thepcguru@hotmail.com), December 23, 1999.

Design manual forms to handle the data, and start using them now so the rollover won't kill the business.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), December 23, 1999.

Nemo; didn't your mother teach you not to laugh at others problems? You did have a mother didn't you?

-- (...@.......), December 23, 1999.

Yes, it is a little late in the game, but don't panic. DOS itself isn't that bad. Check the details on DOS 5 thru 6.22 here:

http://computingcentral.msn.com/guide/year2000/ms y2k/productinfo/msdos.asp#msdos622

As for your 386, many, but not all, will be OK if you set the date via setup after 1/1. If you can't set it to 2000, or If it doesn't remember the date, put a DATE command in AUTOEXC.BAT, and enter the date everytime you turn the machine on.

Once again, it't your APPLICATION that may be the real problem. Has it been tested?

That'll be $1,000.00 for consulting services please. Send the check to:

Tick... Tock... <:00= ...

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), December 23, 1999.

Oh, and PS,

If you do use the DATE command, enter 01-01-2000, even though the prompt says "Enter new date (mm-dd-yy):" - that yy part is just a little oversight... <:)))=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), December 23, 1999.

Go to www.pcfix2000.com Call the 800 number get their fix which wil remediate cmoss, bios and rtc at boot-up. Cost $35.

And no I don't work there or have any stock.

Best of Luck

-- Ira Kennedy (ira@texfiles.com), December 23, 1999.

You can also buy an adapter card that plugs into one of the ISA slots on your motherboard. It will intercept any/all hardware calls to the BIOS and RTC and reformat them into the correct date format. These cards are available at Office Depot, Wal-Mart, and I have even seen them at Pricewatch.com, and computers.com. USE THIS AS A TEMPORARY FIX ONLY. It has been our experience that these cards don't work on all motherboards. THIS WILL DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR YOUR SOFTWARE!

Good Luck!

-- LZach (lisa@texasnetworks.com), December 23, 1999.

Dan G:

You're right! 1986! what a paperweight.

...@...:

When despairing, you can cry or laugh...

-- nemo (noname@thistime.com), December 23, 1999.

If you can't do anything else, set the date back 10 years or so (use the date command) and pray. The system date (and date files are recorded as stored) will be fouled up, but it might otherwise run. No guarantees about data dates, though...

You should still be able to do word processing, play space invaders, etc.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 23, 1999.