Mac OS X 10.4 Help
Setting the date, time, and time zone
You can set your computer's date, time, and time zone so that the date and time appear correctly in the menu bar clock, Finder windows, Mail, and other applications. If your computer is connected to the Internet, you can have them set automatically using a network time server.
IMPORTANT: You need to choose your time zone whether you've set the date and time manually or are having it set automatically. If you don't choose the time zone for where you're located, your clock may show the wrong time, or the time stamp on emails and files will be incorrect.
To set the date and time manually:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences and click Date & Time.
- Click the Date & Time button.
- Deselect the "Set date & time automatically" checkbox if it is selected.
- Click today's date on the calendar and drag the hands on the clock to the correct time.
- Click Time Zone and follow the onscreen instructions to choose the correct time zone for your geographic region.
You can also set the date and time using the up and down arrows, or by typing over the current date or time.
To use a network time server, select the "Set date & time automatically" checkbox. Then choose the server that's geographically closest to you from the pop-up menu, or type the address of your network time server in the box. Click Time Zone to set your time zone.
If your computer is set up to use a dial-up or PPPoE connection and you're not connected to the Internet when you choose this option, your computer will be automatically connected to the Internet. You can set up your computer to connect automatically in Network preferences. Click the PPP or PPPoE tab, then click the PPP Options or PPPoE Options button.
In the Formats pane of International preferences you can change the format of date and time according to regional conventions. You can also change how the clock is displayed.