TITLE
    Mac OS: Year 2000 Frequently Asked Questions
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		19843
5/22/96
8/17/99
TOPIC

    You may have wondered whether the clock in your Macintosh computer will continue to function into the twenty-first century. Many stories have been circulated about computers not being able to handle dates past a certain year.

    This article contains some questions and answers dealing with the Macintosh computer, Power Macintosh computer, and Mac OS and what will happen in the year 2000 and beyond.

    1) Will the Mac OS have a problem with dates in the year 2000?
    2) Why can I not set the date in the Date & Time control panel past the year 2019?
    3) Is the year 2000 a leap year?
    4) Will the Apple PC Compatibility or DOS Compatibility card be able to handle the year 2000?
    5) Where can I get more information on how this issue relates to Apple products?

    NOTE : The industry buzzword for Year 2000 compliance is "y2k".

DISCUSSION

    1) Question : Will the Mac OS have a problem with the year 2000?
    Answer: No. The Mac OS has always correctly handled dates between January 1, 1904 and February 6, 2040. The current Mac OS date and time utilities handle all dates between 30,081 B.C. and 29,940 A.D. All applications and system software which use the supplied Mac OS date and time utilities will have no problems with the year 2000. The only possible issues would come if an application does not use the routines supplied by the Mac OS for manipulating dates and times. If you believe you have such an application, please contact the manufacturer of that application for an update.


    2) Question : Why can I not set the date in the Date & Time control panel past the year 2019?
    Answer: The Date & Time control panel constrains the year to the range 1920 to 2019. This was done because the original Macintosh System 6 General control panel only displayed a 2-digit year. A programmer can set the date beyond 2019 by calling a Mac OS supplied routine. This will be addressed with a future version of the Mac OS.


    3) Question : Is the year 2000 a leap year?
    Answer: The rule for leap years is that all years divisible by 4 are leap years, except those years divisible by 100. The exception, to the years divisible by 100 rule, is that years divisible by 400 are leap years. This means that 1800 and 1900 were not leap years, but the year 2000 is a leap year.


    4) Question : Will the Apple PC Compatibility or DOS Compatibility card be able to handle the year 2000?
    Answer: DOS supports years 1980 through 2099. Follow these steps to set the date:
    DOS
    For DOS, use the date command by typing "DATE " at the DOS prompt.
    Format the date as: "mm-dd-yy" for years 1980 - 1999, or "mm-dd-yyyy" for years 1980-2099.
    Windows 3.x
    For Windows 3.x, use the Date & Time Control Panel found in the Main Program group. Set the date and time by selecting the value clicking the arrows. NOTE : The four digit year format can be selected in the International Control Panel.
    Windows 95
    For Windows 95, use the Date & Time Control Panel found in the Start Menu, Settings, Control Panel. Set the date and time by selecting the value and changing with arrows.

    Newer applications should also not have a problem with full year dates (2xxx), check with the vendor or test the application.


    5) Question : Where can I get more information on how this issue relates to Apple products?
    Answer: The Apple web site http://www.apple.com/about/year2000/index.html provides answers to many common questions about the year 2000 and is focused on year 2000 compliance as it relates to all Apple products. If this website does not provide the information you are looking for, customers can email questions and requests directly to Apple at this address:

    y2kinfo@apple.com

    Additionallly, requests for information can be made to Apple in writing at the following address:

    Apple Computer, Inc.
    Attn: Customer Care, MS: 35-2P
    One Infinite Loop
    Cupertino, CA 95014

Document Information
Product Area: Mac OS System Software
Category: General OS
Sub Category: General Topics

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