Getting ready for the Year 2000

by Molly Dempsey

From software professionals to game addicts, everyone has concerns about how our computers will handle the turn of the century. Because you may be confused about what kind of Year 2000 issues will actually affect your system, Microsoft offers the Microsoft Year 2000 Product Analyzer, which can provide you with Year 2000 compliance information on most Microsoft products.

Get results fast
The Microsoft Year 2000 Product Analyzer is an easy-to-use tool that scans your computer's hard drive (or a network drive) and creates a report that lists Year 2000 compliance information for most Microsoft software products on your system. The Microsoft Year 2000 Product Analyzer also gives you links to Web pages with more information about Year 2000 compliance for most Microsoft software products on your system. These Web pages include links to Web sites where you can download available updates for Year 2000 issues that may affect your software.

The compliance information database for the Microsoft Year 2000 Product Analyzer is frequently updated and is subject to change without notice. To be certain your scan is being compared to the newest information, the tool includes an option that allows you to download the latest version of the database from the Microsoft Year 2000 Web site.

Where to get it
You can download the Microsoft Year 2000 Product Analyzer at the Microsoft Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure and Resource Center, a Web site that delivers the most up-to-date information about how Microsoft products may be affected by the Year 2000.

While the Microsoft Year 2000 Web site offers the most current Year 2000 information, you can choose to order the Microsoft Year 2000 Resource CD. This CD, which is available at no additional charge, includes a snapshot of the information you would find at the Microsoft Year 2000 Web site at the time the CD was made.  The CD also includes the Microsoft Year 2000 Product Analyzer and Year 2000 updates for some Microsoft products.

The CD may be more convenient than the Web site if you don't have Internet access at home, or if your connection is slow. Once you have subscribed, you will get a new CD quarterly, with updated information from the Microsoft Year 2000 Web site. Order the CD from the Microsoft Year 2000 Web site, or call (888) MSFT-Y2K (U.S.).

 
Molly Dempsey is looking forward to January 2, 2000.

More Y2K information
Y2K is a complex issue.  If you're still not sure what you need, or you want more information, try this guide for home computer users or visit the Microsoft Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure and Resource Center Web site.