How to Set the Time in UNIX

UNIX is a powerful operating system, but not quite as easy to use as Linux or Windows. If you need to set the time in UNIX, follow these steps to make sure you do it properly without disrupting any of UNIX's system settings or destabilizing the UNIX system.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with UNIX

1. Log in as the root. Type "=" in the Master Menu. This will display the Keyop Menu. Type "exit" and log in as the root from here.

2. Determine the month and date. You'll need to convert it to numerals in order to input it into the system. It goes in this format: MMDD. For example, September 26 is 0926. These are the first four digits.

3. Determine the time. The time goes by a 24-hour format. For example, 1620 is 4:20 p.m. 0100 is 1:00 a.m. These are the next four digits.

4. Determine the year. This still goes by the last two digits of the year. So, 07 is 2007 and 99 is 2099. These are the final two digits in the time and date string.

5. Input the time and date string. Type "date" followed by the digits for the time and date. Follow the format: dateMMDDHHHHYY. Where M is month, D is date, H is hour, Y is year. For example, date0926162007 is September 26 at 4:20 p.m. in the year 2007.

6. Press "Return" to save your settings.

Tips & Warnings

• UNIX time automatically detects the day of the week.
• To calculate the time of day in the p.m. using a 24-hour clock, simply add 12 to the hours of the number.
• Remember that all commands in UNIX are case sensitive.
• The two-digit year system may give you Y2K type problems.