Transputec leads way in bug-bust

Transputec Computers is the first reseller to sign up to use Pinpoint's ClickNet Bug Buster kit, to ensure its hardware is free from the year 2000 virus.

The system checks hardware for Y2K compliance, performing five tests on the PC Bios. A survival guide explains how to tackle non-compliance.

Coloured labels are provided to stick on the computers - green to indicate compliance, orange for partial compliance and red for non-compliance.

Iain Franklin, European vice president and general manager of Pinpoint Software Europe, said: 'The channel is driven by corporates. Most have done their mainframes and are looking at PCs. There are some huge deals to be made out there.'

Mike Manistry, technical director of Transputec Computers, said: 'Every PC manufactured should be compliant. The reality is that there is old stock and computers come from various sources. There have been instances where we have had a batch of 30 PCs, all the same model and from the same manufacturer, and some were not compliant.'

He said: 'Manufacturers should put a stake in the ground and give a guarantee.

It is not acceptable to say we can upgrade your Bios chip free - it's not a trivial task.'