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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?

Posted on May 28, 2020 1:05 PM

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Posted on May 29, 2020 11:25 AM

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.

12 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 29, 2020 11:25 AM in response to johann147

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.

May 29, 2020 4:31 PM in response to johann147

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.



May 28, 2020 9:19 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

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!🌻🌤

May 29, 2020 1:45 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

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?

Setting the date in my PowerBook Duo 280C

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