Warning on DiskWarrior

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Level 4

1,327 points

Warning on DiskWarrior

Unfortunately I didn't check if there was an update before using it on my Snow Leopard drive. It reported many errors and I had it fix them. I couldn't boot from the SL disk again. Some many hours later all is right again, eventually I just restored a clone of 10.5.8 and am going to stick there for awhile.
Here's Alsofts site and the update:
http://www.alsoft.com/

MP 8-core 2.93GHz, 32 GB RAM, GTX 285, To be announced..., Mac OS X (10.6), 30" HD Cinema Display, 20" Cinema Display, iPod touch, G5Quad (JIC)

Posted on Aug 29, 2009 5:40 AM

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Answer 1

Fritz

Level 2

185 points

Aug 29, 2009 6:18 AM in response to Samsara

I'm going to update my Diskwarrior to 4.2 which Alsoft issued two days ago, I've now loaded SL on my MacBook Pro. Will I be able to use Diskwarrior to repair my disk? Maybe it's a dumb question, but Alsoft says the updated disk will still only have OS 10.5 on it.

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Answer 2

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 29, 2009 6:24 AM in response to Fritz

According to Alsoft it will, but like they say, back up, back up, back up. A lot of stuff will be a pain for awhile until the tumult dies down.

Edit: There are no dumb questions, just fools who do not ask.

Message was edited by: Samsara

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Answer 3

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 30, 2009 1:35 AM in response to Samsara

Well, I installed SL again on another drive, but there were a lot of beach balls and slow behavior going on. So having updated DW I thought I would try it again on the SL drive. My Mac tried to boot from it 5 times or so and still it won't. Wheel spins, screen goes black and the machine restarts, over and over.

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Answer 4

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 30, 2009 10:01 AM in response to Samsara

Update, ran DW 4.2 again on the disk this morning and with some effort the SL drive started up ok.

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Answer 5

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Aug 30, 2009 10:26 AM in response to Fritz

Take 25GB from one of your other drives, do a clean install and set that aside only for emergency disk maintenance. Run Disk Warrior and other tools from there. Your TimeMachine or other drive is fine.

I think it could be possible to boot from 16GB flash drive even if need be.

SuperDuper was updated once or twice now to work with SL also.

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Answer 6

Fritz

Level 2

185 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:09 PM in response to Samsara

Samsara,
I updated DW to 4.2 and created a boot disk and attempted to boot my MacBook Pro from it and had the same problem - it kept chiming and restarting over and over again. Don't understand why I can't boot from this disk.

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Answer 7

Larc

Level 3

905 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:35 PM in response to Samsara

Samsara

Did you burn a Disk Warrior 4.2 CD/DVD ?
My original Disk Warrior install disk was a CD.
It was suggested to use a blank CD for 4.2.
I starting up in Snow Leopard and then inserted the DW 4.2 CD. and clicked restart..
Did not have any problems.
Hope this helps.
-Larc

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Answer 8

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:37 PM in response to The hatter

I think it could be possible to boot from 16GB flash drive even if need be.

Yes, its possible. I installed Snow Leopard (upgraded from Leopard) on a 16g flash that I use for
and emergency boot disk. Leopard used 10g, and Snow Leopard 6g (so, now you can install on a
8g flash!).

If you do this and have a laptop, re-set the sleep mode to free up space (see sleep mode)

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Answer 9

Larc

Level 3

905 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Samsara

08/27/2009 - Free DiskWarrior 4 version 4.2 Disc Updater Available
Owners of DiskWarrior 4 versions 4.0-4.1.1 can now download a free disc updater to update to DiskWarrior 4 version 4.2. This free updater application allows you to create a new startup disc (CD/DVD) with the latest version of DiskWarrior using your original DiskWarrior 4.0 or 4.1 disc. This approach provides you with an instant update while maintaining your ability to start up from a disc containing the latest version of DiskWarrior.

The DiskWarrior 4.2 Disc updater cannot update a disc created by any previous DiskWarrior updater. You must update your original (factory) DiskWarrior 4.0 or 4.1 disc. This limitation allows us to reduce the size and complexity of the updater. It also results in a significantly smaller test suite that permits us to issue updates more responsively.

Please note that the new startup disc you create will start up the same set of Mac models as your current DiskWarrior disc (CD/DVD). Your new disc will not start up any Mac that your current DiskWarrior disc can not. If you need a new DiskWarrior disc that can start up the newest Mac models, please contact our Sales Department to order. Please note that you will receive a DVD even if your previous DiskWarrior disc was a CD.

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Answer 10

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Fritz

I haven't tried that yet. I'm running it from internal disk to internal disk. Unfortunately you don't have that option.
I'm not that familiar with MacBooks. Can you do something like the Hatter mentioned but put 10.5.8 on it? Essentially that would allow you to do what I did and keep running DW till it takes and really fixes the problems it's reporting. You could do that from an external FW disk as well. That might be the better thing to do anyway.
I'll have to try starting from the disk I made myself, but since I've already gotten past the eternal booting phase, that might not be a problem for me now.

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Answer 11

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:51 PM in response to Larc

Well, of course you have to have your original 4.0 disk to create the updated disk.

You clicked restart and held down the "C" key or did you do it through System Prefs?

Edit: And of course once the Disc has been created you can just drag the updated app to wherever you want. Utilities is recommended I believe.

Message was edited by: Samsara

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Answer 12

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Tony T1

Thanks, Tony. That's a good thing to know.

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Answer 13

Fritz

Level 2

185 points

Aug 30, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Samsara

Yes, burned the files to a DVD (although the update said I would need to use a CD). The contents of the DVD show all the right files.
I restart and hold down the "C" key. Sent a note to Alsoft support and will see what they say.

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Answer 14

Samsara Author

Level 4

1,327 points

Aug 30, 2009 1:09 PM in response to Fritz

Yes, I remember that it said to use a CD but I can't believe that's the problem. I still haven't tried starting up from the disc yet, and can't for a bit now, but I will.

Give it a shot using System Prefs if you can. Small chance that might make a difference.

I don't know, I'm beginning to think Alsoft has an attitude problem, but maybe they'll know exactly what to do.

I'll check in a bit later. Good luck.

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Answer 15

Larc

Level 3

905 points

Aug 30, 2009 1:21 PM in response to Samsara

Samsara

Everything should work.
It takes a very long time to startup.
A very long time.

Hope this helps.
-Larc

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