*) Embedded chips or microprocessors in computers have memory built in using the two-digit dating system.
*) These are not "reprogrammable" by editing lines of computer code, and chips that are memory dependent and not Y2K compliant need to be changed.
*) It is difficult determine what machines are dependent on these date sensitive embedded chips, and that dependence may not be apparent until it is too late.
*) The problem with Y2K is, at the turn of the century the Year 2000 may be interpreted to be 1900 by non-Y2K compliant software systems and embedded chips.
*) Systems and machines that depend upon a date calculation to perform their function will make errors or shut down entirely. Since system operations depend upon the date for calculations to determine sequencing or sorting often by age, the 100 year time loss could cause chaos.
*)Example:
A benefits provider begins sending checks out when a beneficiary reaches a certain age, like sixty. This is generally accomplished by subtracting the person's birth date from the current year. A person born on January 1, 1940 would become eligible on January 1, 2000. However, if both dates are in the system as two digit dates, the computer will read the age as -40 (0-40), or 40, and a check will not be sent. On the other hand, someone born on January 1, 1960 may be considered by the computer to be eligible for benefits (0-60, or 60), even though they would not truly be eligible for twenty more years.
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