How many computers do you own?

Zoomer | January 1st, 2006

The screen you’re reading right now isn’t the only computer display in your life. So even if you’ve checked your BIOS and ensured that all your software and data files are Y2K compliant, your personal potential Y2K computer problems are far from over. But they shouldn’t be too bad.

If you’re a typical consumer with a clock radio, VCR, microwave, timed coffee maker, CD player (you get the idea) your life is ruled by computer chips that may or may not be ready for the year 2000. Remember, even your furnace thermostat knows what day it is, although it may not care about the year.

The good news is that most consumer products have no reason to factor in the year, and as a result experts expect very few problems from our household helpmates. But some VCR’s, cameras, camcorders and (of course!) watches, along with any other gadget that displays the date, could be a little confused on New Year’s.

The Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. has issued some guidelines for appliances, and generally contends that there will be very few problems. If you’re in doubt about a particular product, check the manufacturer’s website for Y2K information. Sony, for example, hanoted that some of its video cameras built in the late 1980s will display the wrong date after Jan. 1, 2000. This won’t, however, affect the cameras’ ability to record.