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SOE Y2K Preparation |
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Dear School of Education,
In preparation for the year 2000, Education IT has researched all SOE server and workstation computers to determine Y2K compliance in the areas of hardware, operating system software, and office productivity application software.
In terms of computer hardware, if any computer has been found to be non-Y2K compliant (meaning that the hardware clock is defective and will display incorrect dates in the new year) it has been labeled with the following label,
(click picture for larger version)
All SOE computers with these labels have already been either decommissioned, moved to non date sensitive areas, or special arrangements have been made to replace the computers as soon as possible (all of these were 486 computers or older).
All of the following operating system software is Y2K compliant (meaning that these will process correct dates in the new year): Mac OS, or Windows 95, 98, NT. Education IT has visited all computers in BRNG and applied Y2K updates and/or patches to these operating systems as needed.
All of the following application software is Y2K compliant (meaning that these will process correct dates in the new year): MS Office 97 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), MS Office 2000 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), MS Office 98 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), current versions of SAS and SPSS, current versions of MS FrontPage, current versions of MS Publisher, Netscape Communicator (including email & calendaring), Macromedia Authorware and Director, Adobe Photoshop, WS_FTP, Borland Paradox 7.0+, Pagemaker, MI applications, current versions of Norton Utilities, current versions of Dr. Solomon anti-virus software, Corel WordPerfect Office Suite 8+. If you have any other personally owned 3rd party software that you have installed on your office computer, you will be responsible for ensuring Y2K compliance.
In general, as it relates to personal computer hardware, it is correct to assume that most 386, 286, and older PC computers will not (can not) display correct dates next year due to hardware defects. Many, if not most, 486 PC computers also will not display correct dates next year due to hardware defects. It is correct to assume that most Pentium and newer PC computers will continue display correct dates, though users should check their computer date when powering on in the new year. Almost no Macintosh computers will be affected by Y2K problems. For those who think they may have older equipment @ home, we would recommend that you browse the web site of your computer vendor for Y2K details.
We have also researched SOE fax machines and copy machines all of which are Y2K trouble free.
Education IT is recommending that all Purdue SOE computer users take the following steps before midnight December 31st, 1999:
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Perform a routine backup of your personal documents (not your software applications).
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Turn ALL electrical equipment in your office off prior to midnight December 31st, 1999 (including computers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines, lamps, speakers, coffee makers, radios, answering machines, etc.) in case of power outage or fluctuation.
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Contact us if you have any questions about Purdue hardware or software that we have not mentioned here or in the SOE Y2K Progress Reports.
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Please check the date on your computer the first time you power on the computer after returning from holiday break and contact us if you suspect any hardware or software Y2K problems in your area.
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Users of some USA Flex and Digital 486 computers may need to reset the computer date the first time the computer is powered on in the new year. Click here for instructions on setting your Windows PC computer clock.
Education IT will be monitoring server and workstation computers in BRNG during and after the transition to the year 2000. We will be spot checking individual office computers throughout BRNG on January 1st, 2000. We do not suspect any significant Y2K problems to occur in the SOE and we will be available to handle any questions that may arise. We hope everyone has a safe and event free holiday.
Thank you and happy computing!!!
Robert Evans
Coordinator of Technical Services
SOE Technical Support
December 1, 1999