Embedded chips and date-sensitivity

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Electric Utilities and Y2K : One Thread

As a pharmacist I'm a quite green with this issue so bear with me. I've heard cars, washing machines, some medical equipment, etc. will crash 1-1-00 if noncompliant embedded chips are involved. Why would a washing machine or car care if it's 1900 or 2000? Is there something inrtrinsic about noncompliant embedded chips that make the use of date a moot point? "I don't care Mr. Washing Machine if you don't care it's not really 1900! I'm taking you down anyway. No more spin cycles for you!!!"

-- Anonymous, June 09, 1998

Answers

Scott,

There's an explanation of possible problems with embedded systems at:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=TimeBomb%202000%20(Y2000)

Then click on "Do Not Completely Understand Y2K"

I haven't heard of washing machines being affected by Y2K - provided the electricity keep flowing. Cars and hospital equipment may be affected if they have chips that use non-compliant dates to calculate elapsed time between maintenance service. The machine may suddenly "think" it's been 99 years since it was last serviced, so it shuts down.

-- Anonymous, June 09, 1998


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