Setting the date in my PowerBook Duo 280C
I can’t seem to set the date in my new laptop. It goes up to 2019 then clicks over to 1920. How to I set it to today’s date, or more specifically the correct year?
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I can’t seem to set the date in my new laptop. It goes up to 2019 then clicks over to 1920. How to I set it to today’s date, or more specifically the correct year?
Macintosh PowerBook Duo 280c: Technical Specifications
Just to expand a bit on this.
First of all, you would have to download/transfer the SetDate file from bbraun's web page mentioned by K Shaffer. There are several methods, depending on the computers/equipment that you have access to.
For an overview, see: http://manuals.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Manuals/powerbooks/0305512ATINFOPBDUO.PDF. Keep an encoded file (.hqx in this case) unaltered until on the target computer (the PowerBook Duo 280c). Once there, use (for example) StuffIt Expander to decode the .hqx. Next, the contained .cpt must be decompressed. The SetDate control panel file is the one of interest here.
If necessary, archives like http://umich.edu/~archive/mac/util/compression/ and https://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/mac/info-mac/_Compress_&_Translate/ may be useful in this context.
Macintosh PowerBook Duo 280c: Technical Specifications
Just to expand a bit on this.
First of all, you would have to download/transfer the SetDate file from bbraun's web page mentioned by K Shaffer. There are several methods, depending on the computers/equipment that you have access to.
For an overview, see: http://manuals.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Manuals/powerbooks/0305512ATINFOPBDUO.PDF. Keep an encoded file (.hqx in this case) unaltered until on the target computer (the PowerBook Duo 280c). Once there, use (for example) StuffIt Expander to decode the .hqx. Next, the contained .cpt must be decompressed. The SetDate control panel file is the one of interest here.
If necessary, archives like http://umich.edu/~archive/mac/util/compression/ and https://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/mac/info-mac/_Compress_&_Translate/ may be useful in this context.
Yes, testing a USB floppy drive with, for example, a 2004 iMac would probably not be a bad idea. The following article could perhaps be of some interest to you: https://siber-sonic.com/mac/newmillfloppy.html .
Do check whether StuffIt Expander (version?) is on the PowerBook Duo's hard disk.
The PC Exchange control panel will make things easier (allowing transfers on PC-formatted floppies, if necessary).
Since Apple's Duo MiniDock is equipped with a SCSI port, two Zip 100 drives (one SCSI for the Duo, and one USB for a newer Mac/PC) could be useful. Alternatively, a SCSI CD-ROM drive, if one wants to use CD-R discs for file transfers to the Duo.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Manuals/powerbooks/0306074APB200UG.PDF
There are SCSI-to-Ethernet adapters from some manufacturers. These adapters are usually expensive. Driver software can be a problem. The ability to handle TCP/IP must be checked for each model.
johann147 wrote:
my new laptop.
These machines were great when the came out, but now there terrible for work. There more like a collectors item then a “new laptop”. The P-RAM battery in those machines only go up to 2019.
For those need to see layers without peeling onions ~ an exposé:
• "Solving Mac OS 8's Y2K20 Bug" - TidBits
https://tidbits.com/2020/01/03/solving-the-mac-os-8s-y2k20-bug/
"The Looming Y2K20 Bug, and How to Protect Your System" | Low End Mac
https://lowendmac.com/2019/the-looming-y2k20-bug-and-how-to-protect-your-system/
The active particle from above is within:
http://www.synack.net/~bbraun/macapps.html
And this 'SetDate' may help:
http://www.synack.net/~bbraun/macsrc/SetDate-1.1.cpt.hqx
{..once done, this ultimately Changes how you set Date-Time in antique Mac 8..}
Good luck & happy trails!🌻🌤
Hi johann147,
Do you have the external floppy drive for the PB Duo?
Which operating system version is on the hard disk? Is there a PC Exchange control panel?
Do you have another pre-1998 Macintosh computer with a built-in floppy drive? A more modern Mac and an external USB floppy drive? A Windows PC with a floppy drive?
Yes I have the mini dock and external fdd. As yet have not tested it though to see if it is still working. I don’t have any other floppy equipped computer, or a USB external floppy drive, but am considering buying a cheap external fdd to test. I have several modern Macs with the earliest (apart from the powerbook) being an iMac from 2004.
I am also considering going down the scsi2sd route as no doubt the Hdd will fail at some point, it is 26 years old!
i believe it’s running 7.1.
it was obviously networked and accessed internet via dial up in its past as it came with Netscape navigator and Eudora mail, both of which had been used, but did not come with the internal or an external modem unfortunately.
i have also heard of a SCSI to Ethernet device, and wonder if this is an option?
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It is in fact possible to set the date.
See, for example, Niel's reply with link here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251251759
Hello,
I am sorry, this Macintosh was introduced over 25 years ago and it appears that its real-time clock cannot support years later than 2019. There is nothing you can do.
I’m sure there is a way.
Thanks Jan, I’m keen to give this a try once I figure out a solution for file transfer to the PowerBook.
I just checked this morning. Running system 7.5.5
FDD appears to be working, reading an old pc disc I had.
and yes, it has the PC Exchange control panel.
Setting the date in my PowerBook Duo 280C