Re: Y2K

[jim.powell@xxxxxxx]

     From: DTAHT@domain.elided asks
     
     >>>
     I was at the press preview of the M5 in L.A. this week and during the 
     Q&A sessions, someone asked if BMW computers will be having problems 
     with the upcoming year 2000.   Vic Doolan insisted no problems, but 
     has anyone out there heard otherwise from BMW technical people?  I 
     would suppose the latest models, E38, E39, E46 should be ok, but what 
     about the older cars?
     <<<
     
     Why would your car need to know the date?  It has it on the clock for 
     your convenience, although if you don't know what year it is, maybe 
     you should hand over the car keys and through that shawl over your 
     legs.
     
     Vic Doolan was being nice to the guy in LA.  I was there.  He was 
     trying real hard not to piss his pants over the question.
     
     Lets get this out of the way.  The Y2K problem is when computers do 
     math with years that contain 2 digits and ASSUME ('cause they don't 
     know) its still the same century.  So in the case of Social Security 
     for example if you are 65 years old and want to start collecting, the 
     computer subtracts your birth year '34 from '99 and gets 65.  Bingo! 
     All is right with the world.  Now lets suppose you haven't fixed this 
     problem and the computer still uses 2 digit years and its the year 
     2000.  '00 minus '35 (new 65 eligibility birthday) is TADA! -35.  The 
     computer is a dumb pile of metal and plastic.  It thinks you are -35 
     years old.  You ain't gettin' no check pup-dog.  Now you can solve 
     this by storing years with 4 digits or adding 100 after you do the 
     math (-35+100=65).
     
     Your car's computer only counts pulses and integrates readings from 
     sensors.  Its in its own little world and doesn't give a flip what 
     year it is for you or your retirement account.  Got it?
     
     Jim 

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End of bmw-digest V9 #770
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