TechTool won't boot system

robnich:

It is a shame that Apple hasn't completely updated its stock; however, the compatible version has been available for somewhat less than a year, having been released in September of 2005 as a download. The availability of replacement Applecare disks followed about a month later.

Please note the date of the Apple Doc vs. its last revision date. Prior to that Nov. revision, the doc only warned users not to run volume repair (the utility itself should do the same) & said to contact AppleCare for help restoring your disk if you did.

I in no way mean to excuse Apple for its lapse, only to keep the facts clear.

R C-R :

You are right and TTD 3.0.4 CD compatible with OS 10.4 was shipped me at purchase of present PowerBook 17inch model at the end of last year.
But still, it couldn't boot my new PowerBook 17inch model.
My PowerBook 17inch model was shipped with OSX 10.4.2 install DVD, while TechTool CD contained an eariler system, OSX 10.4.
I wonder if I would be provided with a bootable TechTool CD, or must make a bootable CD or DVD somehow by myself.

Hasn't anyone shipped with unusable TTD 3.0.3 disks shipped with system install DVD OSX 10.4 or later
recieved replacement bootable CD with TTD 3.0.4 containing OS 10.4?

When I bought an iBook three years ago, Apple replaced me with a bootable TTD, but only one year after purchace.
Has Apple support policy changed since then?

PowerBook G4 17", iBook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

R C-R:

Yes, your clarifications are correct, although six months after 3.0.4 came out is really not much better than a year after it came out, when it comes to receiving 3.0.3 with a new AppleCare plan.

One explanation for the ancient version of TechTool Deluxe is that I purchased the AppleCare from Amazon, thereby saving about $20 ($10 discount and no sales tax), but perhaps they pulled the box from some dusty heap in a warehouse somewhere.

Bob N.

I suggest you talk to Applecare about this. AFAIK, everything is there to support a G4 PB boot & to support the app itself. If you are talking about one PB (present & new are the same) the 3.0.4 version should work. If not, more details are needed.

Thanks for the clarification. Apple didn't send out this version, as your previous post suggested, & that is something others should know.

When something similar happened with my local Apple Store purchase, I called them directly to let them know about the issue. They thanked me & said they would look into it, but I don't know if they sent back the old stock or warned buyers about it. At least I tried.

You might consider doing the same with Amazon. Don't they have a user comments area?

Actually, it took me a while to remember that I had purchased the AppleCare from Amazon, and that this might partailly explain the old version of TechTool Deluxe. Nevertheless, I am a bit dubious that the AppleCare boxes really languished for over six months at Amazon before being shipped out, but perhaps they did.

In my own case, the whole thing is academic, as I have Tech Tool Pro 4.1.1

Bob N.

Mac Mini 1.5 GHz; iBook 900 mHz; iPod 20 GB Mac OS X (10.4.5)

R C-R :

Talked with Applecare for an hour and just confirmed no bootable CD with TTD 3.0.4 containing OS 10.4.2 or older is available from apple now, or planning to ship one.

Seems I must search
http://search.info.apple.com/
and find Tech Tool Deluxe release information such as,
http://docs.info.apple.com/jarticle.html?artnum=301353-en
or contact AppleCare for information about bootable disk time to time.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25141-en#ttd3
If your computer does not start up in Mac OS 9
If your computer does not start up in Mac OS 9 and the AppleCare Protection Plan CD that came with your AppleCare Protection Plan does not start your computer, contact Apple to obtain the latest version of the AppleCare Protection Plan CD.

When I bought my Powerbook Firewire back in 2000, Applecare provided a non-bootable TechTool Deluxe disk. It took several YEARS for Micromat to provide a bootable disk.

Things haven't changed.

I'm still waiting for one that will boot my new Powerbook.

Cheers,

John L

I'm still not clear if you are talking about two PowerBooks or one. There is only one G4 PB model that shipped with a later version of Tiger than 10.4, the "PowerBook G4 (Double-Layer SD)." This is the current 17" model.

If you have one of these & purchased the AppleCare Protection Plan for it (& not for a prior PB), you have a legitimate gripe -- Apple should provide support for a CD that will boot your computer if it is offering that in the Plan. (I note that you are probably not in the USA, so the terms may be different in your country of purchase.)

If all this is true, I suggest you rant a little wherever it might do some good to drum up support for the release of an appropriate CD.

Having just noticed that TT Pro has released a beta- 4.1.2b1, I called them to see if my current version 4.0.6 could be upgraded. I was told by Micromat that the version I have would NOT boot my iMac G5 running 10.4.6, and in fact might harm it if I ran any of the repair segments. I was told that if I paid $25 I could get an upgraded bootable disk running version 4.1 and then would be able to download the beta (by the way, the tech I spoke with had absolutely no idea that a beta had been issued).
I sent them the $25 (plus about $5 for shipping!) and should get the disk in a day or two.

I have always be bothered by the fact that MM do not specify which of their versions is fully compatible with a specific iteration of OS X, and even more bothered by the fact that Apple sent me a useless TT Deluxe disc when I first bought my iMac. I did get Apple to send me another , compatible version, but I suspect some people may have hosed their systems using the wrong disc.


Miriam

Rev A 20" iMac G5, 15"iMac G4, 15"iMac G3 DVD Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Don't even get me started on DW. I bought it and the box said v.3.0.3 rev 38. I had several email exchanges with Alsoft trying to figure out if that was the latest version and whether it was compatible with 10.4. I'm still not sure whether it is the proper version for my computer, but thankfully, I haven't needed to find out (and yes, using SuperDuper! I make regular backups).

Miriam

FWIW, if you are a registered user of a qualifying version, you should be able to download the latest sub-version free of charge. Obviously, this won't get you a bootable CD but you can install the updated version on another bootable drive if you have one & run the disk repair from there.

Also, I noticed that MicroMat has (limited, sketchy) instructions online for making a bootable CD for TTPro 3.x versions. I haven't checked to see if anything similar exists for 4.x versions, but it might be worth a shot for those not wanting to spend $30 for a CD.

I agree that MM documentation is poor & that their partnership with Apple should produce timely updates for all their products.

Thanks,
Miriam

I wholegheartedly agree that "It is really astonishing that Apple continues to send Tech Tool Deluxe version 3.0.3 fully one year after issuing an Apple Document (ID 301353) which states that 3.0.3 is incompatible with OS X 10.4 and that TTD 3.0.4 is available and compatible with OS 10.4."
I bought a 15" PowerBook 1.67 last November with AppleCare including a TTD3.0.3 CD which was absolutely useless with the machine. After numerous calls to Apple I spoke to an Apple tech who said that the architecture of the machines changed immediately prior to my model's release and a new (and compatible) version of TTD would be rpovided free of charge in the next several weeks once TT had created it ⚠. Nothing has ever happened and I find that unacceptable 'service' from Apple but overlook it only on the basis that the new PB has been so brilliant.

I find DW excellent (so is TTPro411) though it also wouldn't boot with the new post-October2005 machine until the release of version 3.0.3 revision39 (the previous r38 version wouldn't boot). I was going to suggest that in this thread, this r39 version of DW 303 be mentioned as it obviously includes some vital change/s that make the difference between it working and not working with Tiger on the later machines.