WASHINGTON — Americans jubilantly greeted the dawn of the 21st century with fading concerns over a computer glitch that once threatened to disrupt everyday life. Computers controlling everything from airlines and electric power grids to military operations rolled over dutifully.
"Much of the world has entered the new century without evidence thus far of significant Y2K problems," John Koskinen, the president's chief computer-problem troubleshooter, proclaimed in a statement early Saturday.
Throughout Friday, government and business officials had taken comfort in early reports that the rest of world was making an easy transition, even in countries like Russia, where Y2K problems were expected.
Older computers and software without a Y2K fix can mistake the year 2000 for 1900. Americans spent an estimated $100 billion on repairs.
"Even though there are some glitches, the news is good both in the United States and around the world," Energy Secretary Bill Richardson declared late Friday as the nation's power grid seemed to fare well.
President Clinton celebrated the new millennium at a glamorous party on the National Mall in Washington. His Y2K troubleshooters monitored events across the world from a $50 million, high-tech control center a few blocks away.
As midnight approached, they had only a few problems to report after Americans spent an estimated $100 billion on repairs.
An electric utility in Wisconsin suffered a Y2K-related glitch when its clocks inexplicably jumped ahead 35 days. There was no interruption in power, and no customers were affected.
The nation's airlines flew into the new millennium without incident.
"The nation's airspace system is up and running safely," Federal Aviation Administration chief Jane Garvey declared at 7 p.m. EST when air traffic computers nationwide flashed "00:00" — midnight Greenwich Mean Time. At the time, the FAA was tracking 2,415 U.S. flights. No problems were reported at midnight either.
Phone companies reported heavy long-distance calling, beginning early as Americans phoned overseas to those who had already celebrated. In some cases, people had to dial more than once to get through — as on Mother's Day — but the delays lasted only for short periods.
Web sites were swamped by millions of computer users who watched the millennium celebrations unfold from the comfort of their homes. About 5,000 users a minute clicked onto a site that put up 100 Web cameras in 24 different time zones, causing some delays.
With no apparent signs of problems or emergencies to manage as the clock struck midnight on the East Coast, U.S. officials turned their attention momentarily to celebration.
Workers at the air traffic control center in Herndon, Va., switched off a huge display plotting non-vital airplane information and switched over to CNN for the festivities in Washington and New York City.
James Lee Witt, the chief federal disaster official, sought a last-minute perch atop his building in hopes of seeing the fireworks.
One earlier concern of U.S. officials — that there would be a run on gasoline — did not appear to materialize. There were no lines at service stations anywhere in the country.
The industry association that represents the nation's major automated teller machines declared ATMs had passed their key Y2K test, which occurred at 2 p.m. EST when many started posting consumers' transactions to Jan. 1.
American banks said business was brisk — but no heavier than at the start of any long holiday weekend.
Some still prepared for possible trouble.
A hotel near the White House stocked its guest rooms with flashlights, crackers and bottled water and left a "Dear Millennium Guest" letter urging patrons to fill their bathtubs with cold water before going out.
Overall, Americans appeared to be taking the rollover in stride. Grocery stores were doing a brisk business selling bottled water.
In West Covina, Calif., Becky Grichar found stores crowded with shoppers buying necessities. "At least every other person had 24 rolls of toilet paper in their baskets," Grichar said. "I'm not sure what they are preparing for."
She settled for dog food and declared her two pooches "Y2K ready."
In Seattle, more than 300 technical staffers gathered around computers at Microsoft Corp.'s headquarters, marking the new millennium by waiting for something to go wrong.
Commercial satellite operators reported no major problems. And all National Aeronautics and Space Administration spacecraft and facilities were pronounced fully functional.
Minor glitches were apparent. On the Internet, the "Star Trek" Web site told visitors Friday that this week's episode would air Jan. 1, 1900. Some billing systems have printed invoices telling customers that payment is due in 1900 or even in 100.
In the weeks leading up to the millennium, U.S. officials worked feverishly to thwart any millennium-related terrorist attacks. Fears were heightened when an Algerian crossed the Canadian border in December with a car loaded with explosives.
The government took some late precautions against the Y2K glitch. The FAA made a last-minute repair on a key computer controlling air traffic, while the Pentagon shut down many of its public Web sites along with the federal personnel agency. The Coast Guard said, however, that all U.S. ports would remain open through the weekend.