WARNING - Do not use AppleCare TechTool Deluxe on Tiger

Patrick

Interesting indeed, I searched for Retrospect , found it and noticed that they also have Norton System Works1

Louise Parrish

Ok, I'm hosed just like all others who used the TechTools Deluxe CD that came with AppleCare on a G5 running Tiger. What I'm trying to dig out of the various posts is a summary of what the solution might be. I've got a FireWire-enabled iBook running 10.2.8 -- do I simply connect to the G5 starting up the G5 in Target mode, copy what I need then do a complete reinstall? Is there something else I should do? Thanks, miserably, Phil

Please see the following Knowledge Base document:

Mac OS X 10.4: Don't use Tech Tool Deluxe 3.0.3's Volume Structure repair
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301353

Mark C.
Apple Discussions

Mark C.

Thanks Mark.

Louise Parrish

Louise --

I purchased APP with my PB and received Tech Tool Deluxe v. 3.0.3.

I read Mark C's post and the tech note linked therein and was psyched to see that Tech Tool Deluxe has now been updated to be Tiger compatible (v. 3.0.4).

Do you know how do you go about getting a copy of the revised version of TTD?

Thanks for your help.

IDee

See

Please see the following Knowledge Base document:
Mac OS X 10.4: Don't use Tech Tool Deluxe 3.0.3's Volume Structure repair
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301353
Mark C.
Apple Discussions

This is as farr as I know. Check it out, it does not elaborate on the subject too much, think the best bet is to call Apple Care, which I will do.

Louise

it does not elaborate on the subject too much

You can say
b that
again.

Well, thanks very much for getting back to me. I think you're absolutely right -- the best bet is just to call AppleCare.

You know, they really should make this process easier and make this announcement more widely known......but what can you do.......

Thanks again.

it does not elaborate on the subject too much

You can say that again.

Agreed.

I think it would be seen as nice gesture if there were a clickable link on the AppleCare page where you could enter your contract number and subsequently receive a functioning version for Tiger - without going through a song and dance to justify getting what I feel we justly deserve - having already purchased it.

Very nice.

Every one i've sent these links to, loyal Apple customers all - says "WHAT!?! You're KIDDING!"

Thank you all

/m

The KnowledgeBase article alludes to the possibility that TTD v. 3.0.4 should be gotten if one is experiencing these issues. This has just happened to us. Can teh updated version fix what damage it may have causes.

System: iMac 2Ghz, bought 3 weeks ago, 10.4. Apple Store replaced machine - said HD unreadable.

Any ideas, help? We have the HD - and are not convinced all is lost.
Got an idea - we'd love to hear it.

Ed

So as a follow-up, I wanted to give everyone the whole story.

I help make a SWITCH sale - get a friend to ditch a Dell, get her all set up - 3 weeks ago. iMac 2GX 10.4 w/ 512M, 17". Great, everything's running great. She didn't activate AppleCare - so she opens package, saleman at Apple Store told her, insert the disk, run it, register and you'll be all set.
Only thing is, 2 nights ago she doesn't tell me she's doing this. She accidentally runs Tech Tool from the Apple Care CD and being new to Macs, runs directory structure fix. System subsequently cannot boot. Gets Press and Hold Restart button, etc.

She calls me in a panic yesterday. I take a look, knowing in back of mind this is bad. I have old Disk Warrior Disk - not going to be able to help.

She goes to Apple Store. They want to give her a new machine - right away. They say that there is no known issue about the Apple Care CD. After more looking (tey take teh drive out, test it - they say the HD id fried - they cannot see the data at all.) I'm advising her by phoen so I say - make sure they run the new version of Disk Warrior on it. They say they can't - if they did, everyone would want them to do that and no one would buy it. Fair enough. My friend offeres to buy it and have them run it. If it doesn't work they would refund the $$. Doesn't work. Mgr at Apple Store says there's no connection between failure of HD and Apple Care CD. They give her a new computer (2 hrs later), she looses 3 valuable weeks of work. I redid her system last night.

How can they possibly keep distributing that disk? I don't comepltly buy that the two events are unrelated. I've been using Macs for too long.

How can they possibly keep distributing that disk?

That's a
b really good question.
And it's a real shame that we even have to ask it. What does this say about Apple's concern for its customers and about the value (or lack thereof) that Apple places on customer relations.

I mean, Tech Tool Deluxe v 3.0.3 isn't just something some of us use, a popular third party application that some of just happened to pick up on our own and just so happens to be incompatible in some minor way with Tiger.

On the contrary, TTD v 3.0.3 was supplied to us
b directly by Apple,
in connection with our (none to inexpensive) purchase
b directly from Apple,
of Apple's Applecare Protection Plan. And use of it while operating Mac OS X 10.4.x can apparently really mess up your machine.

Apple has posted a tech note http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301353 that essentially says:
]Psst. If you happen to stumble across this tech note (and we don't know why you would unless you're looking specifically for it), you'll be among the lucky few who will find out before it's too late that the TTD v 3.0.3 we (Apple) provided to you as part of your APP purchase is incompatible with the new operating system we hope you all bought (Tiger) and there's a new, Tiger-compatible version (TTD v. 3.0.4) available. If you want it, contact apple (we're not going to tell you how or make it easy) to find out how to get a copy.

Nice. Really nice.

I never knew about this tech note until I saw this thread. Why wasn't it posted as a blanket announcement, easily seen by any and all users of these boards.

Anyone out there running Tiger who received TTD v 3.0.3 with their APP
b NOT want the Tiger Compatible version?
Doubtful. Apple knows who has APP, and as evidenced by their recent PowerBook battery recall, they know how to go about making things simple when a bad product need to be replaced by them for a good one.

Apple could have contacted the registered APP owners by e-mail or otherwise to advise them not to use TTD v. 3.0.3 before it wrecks their computers. They chose not to.

Apple could have at least posted a broad notice on these Boards to all users warning that TTD v.3.0.3 posed a real danger to all Macs running Tiger, but they chose not to.

Apple could easily have arranged for registered APP owners to sign up online or call a special telephone number to receive a copy of the new, non-dangerous TTD, but again they chose not to.

What gives, Apple?

My version/followup (from 8/2/05):

I started with AppleCare on the phone and performed a few restart cycles, ending up booting off the Apple Hardware Test CD, version 2.2.2 -- very important to note this version. The hardware test stopped with a "failure; bad CPU" notice. Not good. The phone tech was equally alarmed. After assuring him that I had an Apple Store within 30 miles he suggested I go there with the PowerMac while he'd be sure to send me the upgraded TechTool cd (which came today, v3.04).

Fortunately, at my Apple Store, we've got a crackerjack Genius that I was lucky enough to que up with. He reviewed the online report from the phone tech and instantly suspects that the hardware test support is incorrent. "You gotta run Hardware Test version 2.2.3 -- the other version gives false reports." This he had on a homemade hand-labeled cd of his own.

The test runs and checks out everything A-OK with hardware. A relief. Then he runs some third party hard disk utility off his pocket LaCie drive that ultimately reveals that the disk directory on my machine is completely wrecked.

So, bottom line: no hardware problem but a wretched software problem. Fortunately, I had a 4-day old backup on an external drive and was able to pluck newer files by launching the PowerMac in target disk mode and connecting to an iBook. Then, I launched the PowerMac off the Tiger DVD and rebuilt the system back to where it should be.

Still, a nerve-wracking, time-consuming experience but know I'm more fortunate than others who wouldn't a) have a recent backup; b) have another computer to use as a mothership for the interim.

How about A STICKER!!! YA Right on the seal... sooo that way.... 🙂

Sad to see this hasn't been resolved by Apple. Since they have contact info for AppleCare buyers, a disclosure would be easy, saves face, and sidesteps some of the potential misery of losing a HD/data for their loyal customers...
I did call AppleCare and they sent me Techtool version 3.04 (or so it says) on August 23. A little steamed by the lack of follow up by Apple, and unlikely to use the CD. Blemishes a great hardware package.

good luck