New Teaching Rooms Opened 

VAX Wind-down Schedule 

Statistical Software Examples on the Web 

Data Resources Library - Update 

Announcements 

Windows 98 Support 

Web Publishing Services 

Year 2000 and the SSC Network 
 
 

Social Science Computing Laboratory 
Faculty of Social Science 
Room 1228, Social Science Centre 
The University of Western Ontario 
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2 

E-mail: ssts@uwo.ca 
Web: www.ssc.uwo.ca 
Phone: 519 661-2152  
Managing Editor: Les Flodrowski

SSC Network Update

Year 2000 and the SSC Network

The impending year 2000 date change, commonly referred to as Y2K, is receiving increasingly more press as we approach the change of the millennium. Computer generated errors can and will occur if computer hardware, software and data sets are not compliant for operation with dates beyond the year 1999. The root of the problem dates back to the early years of computing when computer disk storage and memory were scarce and expensive. It seemed a reasonable strategy at the time to store dates in a more compact form using two digits to represent the year. This short-sighted convention found its way into programs, storage systems (disks and tapes), and computer hardware (BIOS) still in use today.
 
The major UWO initiative to address the Y2K problem is focused on the administrative computer processes (e.g. personnel, payroll, student records, finance, etc.). The solution to the problem involves a massive conversion from the older mainframes and custom software to new Y2K compliant hardware and commercially supported software from PeopleSoft.

SSCL’s local initiatives for Y2K are focused on the migration of its SSC Network users over to Y2K compliant server hardware (Pentium II), operating systems (Windows NT/95/98) and user work rooms equipped with compliant microcomputer hardware. These changes, as most of our users know, have been an ongoing process for more than two years. In addition, the numerous software packages (e.g., SPSS, MS Word, etc.) on the SSC Network are also being upgraded as the suppliers provide Y2K compliant versions of their products.

Unfortunately, SSCL cannot prepare all Social Science faculty members, staff and students who own their own microcomputers, whether used at home or on the SSC Network. In particular, individuals with older microcomputers and personal copies of commercial software should begin planning for the eventuality of year 2000. Here are some things that you can do.

Test Your Desktop Computer:
The following is a test that individuals who own or operate an Intel chip microcomputer (286, 386, 486, Pentium) can perform to check their microcomputer hardware for Y2K compliance. If you need assistance with this please call Jim (5065), Ali (3597) or Steve (3599) for assistance.

1. If your computer is not already powered off, do so in a normal way to protect all open files.
2. Disconnect your PC from the SSC network because this test must be run in standalone mode.
3. Power the PC on and, at its early stage of boot-up sequence, escape to the system’s CMOS ROM BIOS firmware setup screen.
4. Under the date field section change the date to Dec 31 1999.
5. Under the time field section change the time to 23:55:00 which is 5 minutes before midnight.
6. Save the CMOS settings and allow your computer to carry on with the remainder of its boot-up. Once booted, shut the computer down and power it off.
7. Wait 10 minutes to ensure that your computer’s built in clock has undergone the internal change to the new millenium.
8. Power on the PC and, again, escape to the BIOS setup screen.
9. If the date and time properly reflect January 2000 then your hardware is Y2K compliant. If the date is 1900, 1980, or 00 it has failed. In either case, it is essential that you reset your CMOS settings to the current date and time before using your computer for work.
10. If your hardware is not Y2K compliant seek expert ITS hardware service advice about the possibility of a BIOS upgrade. Owners of old systems that fail may well find that the purchase of a new Y2K compliant computer is their safest solution.

Tips for Testing Software:
It is recommended that software testing (operating systems and application software) be done with computer hardware known to be Y2K compliant. Testing software for Y2K compliance on non-compliant hardware is possible but as previously suggested, requires more owner awareness for the potential of hardware and software incompatibilities as they specifically relate to date manipulations.

1. It is advisable that a complete backup of your microcomputer hard drive be done before you change the date and begin actively testing software. Set up a separate sub-directory with test copies of the data files and documents that you intend to process. Never do date testing on live data.
2. On computers that are Y2K compliant, it is a simple matter to reset the internal clock forward into the year 2000 using the date and time setting features provided by Windows 95/98/NT. Keep in mind while testing that any files created (knowingly and unknowingly) will reflect the future date you have set.
3. Ideally, ensure that you are using the latest version of the software. In some cases, you may have no desire to upgrade to the latest version and want only to know if your version is going to be adequate and functional for your purposes after the year 2000.
4. Examine your personal data files (spreadsheets, databases, wordprocessing documents, SPSS system files, etc.) for the use of 2 digit date fields and determine if you are able to switch to 4 digit year fields without impacting the integrity of the existing data. All new applications should adopt the 4 digit year conventions.