Y2K: Older computers most vulnerable

Ageing videos, answerphones and fax machines may also struggle with the date.

WELLINGTON - The personal computer is the most likely household item to be affected by the millennium bug - and age matters, not size.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has released its Guide to the Year 2000 Problem in Your Home.

It says most household appliances, such as washing machines, should work normally, but there is a shadow over older videos, answerphones and fax machines.

Hairdryers and toasters will not let you down, but items such as cameras might show the wrong date.

"Your old video might believe it's 1970 and think it should be recording The Partridge Family," the ministry says.

The Year 2000 problem was born when early programmers shortened the way a year was recorded to the last two digits - 68 rather than 1968 - to save memory space.

When the clock ticks over from 99 to 00, equipment with a two-digit date may think the year is 1900.

The odd kitchen appliance may be affected if it has a date timer, and older electronic organisers may have calendar problems.

Pre-1993 fax machines may show the wrong day and date on the header, and mobile phones and pre-1993 photocopiers could need adjustment.

Computers with a 286, 386 or 486 processor or pre-1997 models are likely to need the most attention, the booklet says.

However, consumers should beware of unnecessary upgrades and misleading information.

"In our view, if you bought something new - such as a computer - in 1996 with a useful working life of several years, you would expect it to be Y2K compliant," said the ministry's general manager, Keith Manch.

"If it isn't, then it's our view that it is not acceptable quality under the Consumer Guarantees Act, and you have the right to get it fixed for free."

Written confirmation that equipment was 2000 compliant should be obtained from retailers, he said.

And be wary of self-help tests and fix-it computer packages, which might not work.

Mr Manch said it should be relatively straightforward to make sure that "when we wake up on January 1, 2000, home electronic equipment knows what day it is - even if we don't."- NZPA