Hands-On Report--TechTool Pro 4.1.1 Update for Mac OS X

Micromat just released the 4.1.1 update to its excellent disk utility, TechTool Pro.

We downloaded the v4.1.1 update when first posted by MacUpdate.Com. Initially, we were uncertain about the applicability of this update. Previous updates have been offered in numerical order, e.g., v4.0.1, 4.0.2, etc. We reviewed v4.0.6 on its release date October 15. Did we miss something thereafter? Nope. The Release Notes make it clear that this is the latest update, replacing v4.0.6.

Here's what Micromat cites as What's New in v4.1.1.

• Faster Volume Structure testing and repair.
  
• Faster Directory Maintenance rebuilds.
  
• Updated eDrive creation and removal routines.
  
• Fixed Data Recovery issue.
  
• Support for PowerPC G5 970MP testing and detection in Processor test.
  
• Added "Loop Count" feature to Hardware test.
  
• Added "Group By Test" feature for Drives and Files tests.
  
• Added Backup dialog on program launch.
  
• Added Authorization on program launch.
  
• Added "PDF" feature to Print dialogs.
  
• Added compatibility for new Macintosh models up to Fall 2005.
  
• Other minor changes and feature enhancements.
  

We successfully ran the updater on the TechTool Pro 4.0.6 installation on our first generation 20" iMac and on our backup external 38GB hard drive. A reboot was required after each update. Notably, the revised application "remembers" the owner's name and serial number, a welcome convenience and improvement from prior updaters.

We ran the updated application from the unique eDrive, selecting the Intermediate Suite of Tests. The test suite completed its work without incident. We thought it was noticeably faster. The speed up was confirmed when we ran Directory Maintenance and it was especially evident when we did a Volume Optimization. Our hard drive had over 4,600 disk fragments and TTP 4.1.1 eliminated them in about an hour and a half. This is a significant improvement over previous editions.

All went well. We highly recommend TechTool Pro 4.1.1. [Dana Baggett]