Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 21:50:02 -0400
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: new to list
David wrote:
Actually its quite likely that many embedded systems will have Y2K
problems. There is no reason to be certain VW or Bosch will be immune.
Although this is more likely to happen at places like dealerships
diagnostic equipment or perhaps emission control stations.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Which prompted me to write:
You are a certified nut.
Y2K problems are rooted in a microprocessor's date function. Those systems
that rely on the DATE (i.e. "Today is April 18, 1999, therefore the
interest on your MasterCard is $XX.xx") are where the problem will surface.
The code relies on date function, and therefore, there may be a problem. I
work with some companies and US governmant agencies that are at the
forefront of the y2k debacle, and while there is still a lot of work to be
done, the problem is virtually going to be nil for the general public.
Some systems, like control device in factories, which HAPPEN to be based on
a Commercial, Off-the-Shelf (COTS) CPU's that uses a date chip to drive the
system may be affected, and thus the scare about power-plants and hospitals
and such. Most of these organizations are aware of the problem, and are
taking measures to fix, or work around the problem.
The little "computer" (if you can call it that) in the fuel management
system in your Vanagon (no matter what vintage) has NO DATE FUNCTION
WHATSOEVER. The fuel management system in your van has no idea if today is
Abraham Lincoln's birthday, or the day the world will end, (which we all
KNOW to be somewhere in the year 2525). Neither does your toaster, or your
microwave, or anything else that you can reasonably assume has no need to
know the date. Relax. Quit making everyone nervous.
Those of you who use pre-1997 Windows stuff...that another story....;)
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: David..M [SMTP:dmc@CYBURBAN.COM]
Sent: Saturday, April 17, 1999 10:36 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: new to list
JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> In a message dated 4/16/99 8:00:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> julio@INTERGATE.BC.CA writes:
>
> << , and if so does anyone know of any Y2k problems assocaited with an
old
> system like that. will the vans start next year? >>
>
> LOL!!!!
> it feels like april first again.... ;<)
>
> chris
>
Actually its quite likely that many embedded systems will have Y2K
problems. There is no reason to be certain VW or Bosch will be immune.
Although this is more likely to happen at places like dealerships
diagnostic equipment or perhaps emission control stations.
