Level 2

260 points

WARNING - Do not use AppleCare TechTool Deluxe on Tiger

A week or so after installing Tiger on my Panther-original G5 I noticed some slight slowing of my system, so I ran the Tiger disk to repair disk, ran repair permissions from the system itself, and then decided to run the original AppleCare TechTool Deluxe disk. I had checked the Apple site to see that there wasn't any warning not to do so. That was my big mistake. Techtool Deluxe deleted a number of vital system files from the Volume Structure and my system was shot to ****. It wouldn't start up and of the few ways the drive could be recognized, only one was available (that gave me some hope, but)after lengthy discussions with Apple and the Apple Store personnel, I was instructed I had no choice but to erase and install. Fortunately, one Apple tech person recommended I try Firewire Target Disc mode with firewire cable (6 pin to 6 pin cable) and connect with another OSX Mac (in my case a Jaguar eMac). Despite my G5 system not being able to start up, target mode did provide drive access to the eMac and I was able to copy the files I needed before the reinstall. What a relief. Annoying to have to reinstall everything, but alot better than nothing. Any suggestions on some kind of reimbursement from Apple, i.e. the price of a utility disk, maybe $100? The Apple tech person also stated that the current AppleCare discs which are sent out with new machines include the same software as the one which came with my Panther G5, so even if you think yours may be a helpful utility, don't run TechTool Deluxe from your AppleCare disc.

Posted on Jun 8, 2005 10:58 PM

98 replies

dadadata

Level 1

55 points

Jun 20, 2005 9:59 PM in response to KevinT

Kevin

Thanks for that

I just opened two incidents with Applecare today and told them about the disks and they told me to go to the Micromat site, which has of course 3.03.

I'll try again

/m

dadadata

Level 1

55 points

Jun 20, 2005 11:32 PM in response to SSutley

Double ow

I agree, these last few machines - i feel i MUST have the applecare. The offer of a refund when you are up against the wall with a malf-ing machine feels somehow insulting, although i'm sure the good folk at Apple didn't mean it that way.

I think i would not feel so aggreived if they would just not include the CD in the box in the 1st place. You feel as though there is this inherent promise of usability and then it's taken from you, so that you feel a loss.

This has to be an issue for thousands of people - many of whom have no idea they have a problem. The lack of fulfillment process in this Apple division doesn't speak well for the organization.

Please listen, Apple...

/m

SSutley

Level 1

5 points

Jun 21, 2005 10:27 AM in response to dadadata

Advised by an old-timer Apple tech that a Tiger compatible Techtool deluxe v.4 is in the works. Asked to call back and an update will be mailed out. Received a response form Micromat too! Hope to ship in July...

cheers

Jul 14, 2005 7:49 AM in response to SSutley

Thoought I would resurrect this post. Just got my DP 2.7 on Friday. Apple still shipping TechTool Deluxe 3.0.3 and it is still thrashing drives. The software update in the program says that it is up-to-date. Lost 40 hours worth of work.

Why is it that I have to check the boards before I use any software to make sure it is not going to muck things up?

Jul 14, 2005 10:52 AM in response to bvkoski

Don't know about deluxe but 4.0.3 pro works fine on my tiger system.

Just a note that eDrive is on Pro... it creates a 4 GB backup partition on your main HD (yes it partitions and unpartitions w/o reformatting) that saves you system files, etc. and allows a boot from that to repair your system. I find two things that were a good investment were tech tool pro, and DataRescue( or recovery)X. I haven't had my mac cause any problems but my PC screwed up my external firewire drive several times and I used these to fix it and get my files back. The PC would start writing data to the drive then crash, corrupting the drive and making it unreadable by PC or Mac until i used the software.

GeeKay

Level 4

3,548 points

Jul 14, 2005 8:07 PM in response to ToNaL SiCkNeSs

I'm so very, very thankful I found this thread before running my "new" TechTool Deluxe CD on my Mini.

Patrick F.

Level 4

3,203 points

Jul 15, 2005 12:46 AM in response to bvkoski

BUMP - So others can be aware of this issue.

Deluxe will kill tiger

Pro is more or less ok

Aug 10, 2005 9:39 AM in response to bvkoski

After reporting this to my local Apple re-seller, they offered me a OEM PRo 4.02, I then phoned Micromat's local rep, they will ship me a 4.0.4 Pro. All I had to do was organise Proof of Purchase within 30 days, but it has taken since early July and I still wait for my package in the mail!
Has anyother affecred G5 iMac that got bit by this 'oversight' by AppleCare had a relatively good outcome?
Or, arre we all still awaiting the hushed over Deluxe version Tiger update?
Let me know.
C'mon Apple. This is bad news.

Aug 11, 2005 10:26 AM in response to bvkoski

This IS totally absurd.
I finally broke down and paid out for PowerBook 12" AppleCare, as my warranty ran out a month ago. This is my third Mac in four years, so I figured I might as well make the investment now that I'm settled into the platform. What a surprise to see that four-hundred dollars of service plan gives me a CD that takes my 10.4 hard-drive out to drinks - and gets it more than a little SMASHED.

This has been a really bad month for Customer Support Services & I, and I think I might go off the deep end if Apple doesn't offer me a free version of TechTool 4 when I ring them this week.

Aug 11, 2005 10:52 PM in response to bvkoski

The current version of Disk Warrior (3.0.3) fixed this problem with my G5. The Apple Care techtools version, as I was specifically told by a repair technician at Apple, is worthless on 10.4.x, any variety.

An earlier call netted me a hang up when I told the technician at Apple that distribution of this stupid TechTools CD that destroys Tiger is negligence, and is a crime. So much for quality of care.....

At least the guys that I talked to later at Apple were kind, caring and tried to help.

Aug 12, 2005 1:07 PM in response to bvkoski

Same scenario. I ran TechTool Deluxe from the AppleCare CD, without knowing at the time that it was incompatible with Tiger. I spoke to AppleCare today regarding getting a replacement disk with a compatible version of TechTool. There isn't one available. With no knowledge of one becoming available in the near future - or, if TechTool Deluxe will even be included on future versions of the AppleCare disk. So. The freebie may be gone. Better gone, than included on the disk. I too had to erase the HD and reinstall everything. Another day wasted.

And, it sounds like we may be out of luck. Not cool.

Mike

Aug 12, 2005 6:13 PM in response to Mike Gawet

Please see an answer I got from Micromat in another Forum

http://www.macfixitforums.com/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=micromat&Number=710223 &page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1

Louise Parrish

Aug 14, 2005 11:09 AM in response to Louise Parrish

Thanks Louise,

It sounds like an update is in the works. Hopefully, when a new disk becomes available Apple will notify us, or ideally send the updated disk to everyone.

Mike

Aug 14, 2005 11:38 AM in response to Mike Gawet

Mike

You are welcome.

Louise

Patrick F.

Level 4

3,203 points

Aug 15, 2005 11:08 AM in response to bvkoski

Interesting Observation - The Apple Store genius bar is selling disk warrior (last time i checked)

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WARNING - Do not use AppleCare TechTool Deluxe on Tiger