Markus Allen Makes a Statement about Possible Y2K Glitches - in Microsoft Windows 95 and 98, and how to fix it - Product Information

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Sept 13, 1999

According to Markus Allen, a new secret computer glitch might black out seven out of every ten computers on January 1st of the year 2000.

Markus Allen is the publisher of Markus Allen's Marketing Tip of the Day (www.markusallen.com/tips).

"If your PC uses a Windows operating system (Windows 95, Windows 98, etc.), there's a good chance your computer will fail the Y2K rollover," says Allen.

This quick test will help to find out whether a certain computer is affected:

1) Double-click on the "My Computer" icon.

2) Double-click on "Control Panel."

3) Double-click on "Regional Settings" (NOT "Date/Time").

4) Click on the "Date" tab at the top.

5) Where it says "Short Date Sample," see if it shows a 2-digit year.

A 2-digit year might not roll over to the year 2000. That's because the computer might think it's the year 1900.

To prevent this problem, just try this quick and easy 2-step fix:

1) Click on the arrow to the right of "Short Date Style."

Select the option that shows the following format: MM/dd/yyyy (be sure to select 4 "y's", not 2 "y's")

2) Click "Apply" and "OK."

Allen estimates there may be millions of Windows computers worldwide that are set to fail the Y2K rollover.

Computers using the Macintosh operating system are not affected.

The Markus Allen Organization 2495 Boulevard of Generals The Valley Forge Business Center Audubon, PA 19403 USA 800/432-9870 (Toll Free) 610/630-82 FMI: http://www.digitalwork.com.