This question would probably be better posted at the c.s.y2k forum, but the water's a bit deep over there for a non-techie like me.

If anyone wants to repost over there and report back here, that would be great.

My question for the techies is this: What may have caused this problem? Any relevance to Y2k at all? (FYI: I've already read all the "dreaded nines" posts.)

Chinese Officials Deny Computer Stopped by `9999' Software Bug

Beijing, Sept. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Chinese officials brushed aside worries the country is not prepared to cope with potential computer glitches at the end of the year even though a system failure yesterday forced the closure of an automated exchange.

The Central Treasury Bond Registration and Settlement Co., said in the China Securities newspaper it is closing the exchange indefinitely so it can repair the faulty computer. The company operates an automated system for shares that can be traded only by government organizations and state-owned enterprises.

``Our machinery is having a problem because it's old,'' said Lu Yan, an engineer with the company, whose main computer, an IBM AS400, dates back to 1993.

(Just curious)

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), September 10, 1999

Answers

That's interesting! And could be a Cory question.

"...closing the exchange indefinitely so it can repair the faulty computer."

At least... that's calling a spade a spade... sort'a.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 10, 1999.

Definitely Cory material.

``Our machinery is having a problem because it's old,'' said Lu Yan..

Best euphemism for Y2K yet. LOL

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), September 10, 1999.

1993? That's hardly "old" for IBM equipment. Our 4341 was probably built around 1978, and still purrs like a kitten!

Tick... Tock... <:00=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), September 10, 1999.

An AS400 is "old"? 'Scuse me while I get my cane and thwack some sense into that there engineer feller. Why, I remember not so long when them purdy little boxes came in and the IBM systems folks was a'puttin' 'em under their offices 'cuz they were so spiffy and modern lookin'.

Not as nice as those early SPARC servers, though.

Ah well. China certainly has lots of labor available if they need to "go manual"...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), September 10, 1999.

Correction: "in their offices". Dang, the language skills are fadin' on me...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), September 10, 1999.