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The following Y2K material has been kept available by MITRE for historical purposes only and has not been updated unless noted.

Flash BIOS Upgrade Required

Flash BIOS upgrading is not for the faint of heart. Be advised that the procedure should only be done by a properly trained technician. Done improperly, it may render the motherboard useless requiring, at minimum, a return to the manufacturer or distributor for repair.

Most recent PCs have been manufactured with a relatively new type of memory called Flash ROM. BIOS in Flash ROM is often referred to as Flash BIOS. Flash BIOS capability means that enhancements can be installed using a special program without having to physically replace a chip.

1. Determine the BIOS Version

Model Number
Manufacturers are providing lists of century-rollover-capable computers by model number (e.g., IBM). First, get the computer model number, usually imprinted on the computer case or plate affixed to the case. This usually provides adequate information needed to determine Y2K compliance. If your model number is Y2K-compliant, no further action is necessary. Else, proceed to Step 2.

Logical Readout
The BIOS on most-based PCs display the BIOS revision as they are booting when first powered up. Methods for identifying the BIOS versions vary by manufacturer (e.g., AMI motherboard). These logical information readouts are usable for both older BIOS chips and the newer Flash BIOS chips. Proceed to Step 2.

Physical Marking -- Not Recommended
Another method is to view the revision number imprinted on the motherboard and BIOS, useful only if the computer is older (and most likely Y2K incompatible) and incapable of Flash BIOS upgrades.

2. Check BIOS Version Against Manufacturer's Y2K Compliance List

For PCs not on the Y2K compliance list, check the manufacturer's lists of computers requiring Flash BIOS upgrades for the new version of the system BIOS which will manage the year 2000 transition correctly. These new BIOS versions will be available from the appropriate support organizations. If BIOS is on the list, proceed to Step 3. If not, go to Step 4. Make sure to get the APPROPRIATE replacement BIOS.

3. Flash BIOS Procedure

Examples of Flash BIOS procedures include:

• AMI
• Intel
• Phoenix
• Toshiba

There is also a frequently asked questions (FAQ) writeup on Award/Phoenix Flash BIOS. American Megatrends AMIBIOS 95, core date 7-15-95, and future versions of AMIBIOS are year 2000 compliant. All previous OEM versions of AMIBIOS can be changed only by the system OEM to support the year 2000 feature. Sites with the latest versions of Intel and Toshiba BIOS are available for downloading.

After the BIOS upgrade is complete, no further action is necessary.

Make sure you use the appropriate replacement BIOS.

4. Patch Operating System or Manually Set Clock

If end users do not wish to update the BIOS, or have a 386 or 486 PC, they have several options. One option is to patch the operating system which will compensate for the BIOS deficiency.

Although the date will not automatically roll, it can be set to the Year 2000 because most PCs store the year in four digits. See manual setting of the clock.

Other solutions which work with any BIOS seem to be appearing regularly. Information is available about:

• RTC chips from Dallas Semiconductor which set the true century in standard location 50D, and provides a permanent fix whatever the BIOS version.
• Replacement BIOS boards for 286's and up available from FernLink2000 dealers and others.
• M2000 Module ISA card bypassing the RTC available from Millennium 2K Solutions.
• Y2000RTC which simulates the RTC available from MicroStar.