Mainframes rely on stuff like Cobol and Fortran and software build on those have significant problems with the 00 digits issue for the years. Lots of older systems support banking etc. Y2K is not really a PC problem for the most part, but it could affect banking, air traffic controlers, insurance, health systems. Your bio says that you are part of the Microsoft Small Business Council. The Small Business Council advises Microsoft about how life really is in the trenches for small business people, and then uses us to find creative ways to use MS products in the small biz market.
Many large businesses scratch each other's backs.
AOL has deals with MS to use their browser in their software, and to that degree they are in bed together. And, of course, Microsoft likes any activity that promotes the use of PCs. But as for a Grand Consipiracy, I doubt it. It always bothered me that these big computer and credit card companies compile our personal statistics and watch our activities. The CC card companies have tons of info on us, as do health care agencies, etc.