YMARK2000
Instructions for using YMARK2000 to test your computer

1. Download YMARK2000 from NSTL's web site.  The file, called Y2000.EXE, is small and it only takes a couple of minutes to download. It is very important to remember the path to the file (where it is saved on your hard drive). 

2. Reboot your computer to DOS.  If you are using Windows 95, simply shutdown and click the choice, "Restart the computer in the MS-DOS mode." 

3. Y2000.EXE is a self-extracting file that produces two files: 2000.EXE and README. TXT. Execute the file Y2000.EXE by typing the path to the file followed by the file name. For example, if you stored Y2000.EXE in c:\temp you would execute the file by typing at the C prompt: c:\temp\Y2000.exe. 

4. Execute the test program by entering 2000.EXE at the DOS prompt.

5. The test results will be displayed on your monitor.

6. You can also copy YMARK2000 to a floppy diskette and run the tests from a floppy:

a) Boot to DOS. 

Put a blank or unused diskette into drive A. 
From the DOS prompt, type in the command: FORMAT A: /S 
Copy the file 2000.EXE to drive A. 
Leave the diskette in the drive and reboot the system. 
b) Execute 2000.EXE 

At the DOS prompt, type in the command: 2000 
c) Read the results on your monitor. 

As YMARK2000 executes, watch the test 
A summary of test results is shown at the end of the test 
YMARK2000 performs the following tests: 

Verify MC146818 RTC compatibility. This test ensures that the date and time indices are compatible to the MC146818 and the data is in packed BCD format. Some non-DOS based operating systems, like UNIX, do not use the BIOS but use drivers to access the clock directly. This test ensures that the clock is a Motorola MC146818 compatible chip. If the chip is not compatible, then these "other" operating systems or programs that read the clock directly may fail. 
Verify real-time progression from December 31st, 1999 to January 1st, 2000. If real-time support fails, then the ability to set the date manually is checked. 
Verify recognition and support of leap years from 2000 through 2009. 
NSTL considered including a power cycle test to confirm the retention of century information. Although conceivable, it is highly unlikely that a BIOS reporting a correct century in real-time will fail after a power cycle. Nonetheless, a reboot test is an important part of the total Year 2000 test process.

YMARK2000 provides batch file support: 

YMARK2000 returns an error level that can be used in batch files. The error levels returned are: 
0: The system is Year 2000 compliant
1: The hardware clock is not compatible to the MC146818
2: Progression to the next century is not supported
3: Progression to the next century is not supported and the hardware clock is not compatible to the MC146818
6: The year 2000 is not supported
7: The year 2000 is not supported and the hardware clock is not compatible to the MC146818
8: The leap year of 2000 is not supported
18: A manual year 2000 reboot test is required since the system is using an Award BIOS
19: Bad Progression & Bad RTC & Award 4.50G BIOS
22: Bad Y2K & Award 4.50G BIOS
23: Bad Y2K & Bad RTC & Award 4.50G BIOS
26: Bad Leap Year & Bad Progression & Award 4.50G BIOS
27: Bad Leap Year & Bad Progression & Bad RTC & Award 4.50G BIOS
255: The program failed to execute. Either the license agreement was not accepted, the RTC is not running, or an unknown command line parameter was issued.

An explanation for programmers: 

Error levels are indicated by bit fields.  Since multiple errors can be detected, the sum of the error bits are returned.  For example, error level 6 (The Year 2000 is not supported) is a combination of BadProgression and BadManualSet (2+4).

   struct {
     int BadRTC         :1;  // 1, The hardware clock is bad
     int BadProgression :1;  // 2, Progression to 2000 does not occur
     int BadManualSet   :1;  // 4, Cannot manually set 2000
     int BadLeapYear    :1;  // 8, Error in leap year support
     int AwardBIOS      :1;  // 16, An Award BIOS is in use
     };

Definition of YMARK2000 error levels:

Incompatible MC146818: A hardware fix may be required due to an incompatible clock. OR The BIOS is using the clock in an incompatible fashion in which a BIOS upgrade may fix the problem.

Leap year is not supported: A hardware fix may be required due to an incompatible clock.

Progression to Year 2000 not supported: A BIOS upgrade may be required.

The Year 2000 is not supported: A BIOS upgrade may be required.

Award BIOS: An Award BIOS is detected that potentially will fail a reboot test.  A manual reboot test is highly recommended on this system.
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Source: NSTL, http://www.nstl.com/html/ymark2000_instructions.html
Date: March 1999