macOS Forum newbie needing help to change folder date

[angels15]

In the process of copying files from large folder on my RAID array (which has failed) I had a power outage. Most of the data had copied but the folder (on an external hard disk) has the wrong date (date now reads "14/02/1946 08:34"). I understand I may be able to retrieve this folder (and sub-folders) if I can change the date (e.g. to 14/02/2009) but that this can only be achieved by using SetFile in the Terminal. Unfortunately this is not currently loaded. Other Terminal commands cannot change the Creation date forward.

I am now reaching the limits of my expertise. SetFile can apparently be loaded if I can load Xcode from the Developers area of Apple, but I am not a developer and have limited knowledge in this area.
Does anyone know a simple way that I can load SetFile on to my iMac?
Thank you

 

[kryten2]

Info : https://developer.apple.com/xcode/downloads/

 

[chown33]

First, you need to get a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply. If you're serious about RAID but have no way of keeping the power on, then you're not serious about RAID.

Second, what OS version is this on? There may be a way to remove the creation-date without installing anything else. Modern OS versions have the necessary command builtin. Older ones don't.

Third, enter this command-line into a Terminal window. Then copy and paste the complete text output into a reply here:

xattr  -v  /the/path/to/your/directory

If you don't know the exact path to the problematic directory, ask again and I'll tell you how to perform a drag-and-drop. If you get an error from 'xattr', copy and paste the complete output here for further suggestions.

Based on what results you get from the 'xattr' command, I can post additional Terminal commands.

Finally, there are tools other than Xcode or SetFile that can change creation-date. Google search terms:
mac os change creation date

You could also try searching the Mac App Store for just change creation date. But before trying either of those, do the 'xattr' thing and let's see how far we can get with that.

EDIT
Upon further experimentation, I was wrong about 'xattr'. It's not capable of changing the creation date.

I would still recommend a file-futzing tool from the Mac App Store rather than doing a full install of Xcode just to get SetFile. At the very least, a specialized tool will be smaller than Xcode.

 

[angels15]

Thank you

Thanks for both your responses.
For some reason I had got the impression that I would have to use Terminal to change the folder date. I have now used an existing copy of Better Finder Rename to change the Creation Date on the folder and Eureka ! - my greyed-out folder is now a healthy black and all my files are there.

Now all I have to do is repair my RAID array ! Incidentally, in my ignorance, I thought I was using a UPS nut this turns out merely to be a surge protector - better than nothing but not enough.....
Can anyone recommend a good UPS for a standard home RAID array - mine is a RAID 5 array with three hard disks ?
Thanks again

 

[chown33]

Thanks for both your responses.
For some reason I had got the impression that I would have to use Terminal to change the folder date. I have now used an existing copy of Better Finder Rename to change the Creation Date on the folder and Eureka ! - my greyed-out folder is now a healthy black and all my files are there.

Glad it worked out.

Now all I have to do is repair my RAID array ! Incidentally, in my ignorance, I thought I was using a UPS nut this turns out merely to be a surge protector - better than nothing but not enough.....
Can anyone recommend a good UPS for a standard home RAID array - mine is a RAID 5 array with three hard disks ?
Thanks again

That's not a programming question. Search first, then start a thread on Mac Basics and Help:
https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/78/

To save people from needing to ask, be sure to list your Mac model, your RAID model, how much power they consume, how long you want to run when power goes off, and also provide a list of other devices that need to remain on (and their power needs).

As an example of "other devices", I have all my machines on UPS's, the router, the cable modem, etc. Unfortunately, there was one wired Ethernet switch hiding under a bookcase that I neglected to include. So when power went out once in the middle of a network file-transfer, it's poor little wall-wart shut right down. Poof goes the network transfer, even though all the computers involved stayed up.