Hands-On Report--TechTool Pro 4.5.1 Beta Universal

Yesterday, we reported that Micromat would release TechTool Pro 4.5.1 as a Universal application early next month. In addition, Micromat has made a beta version of its fully-featured diagnostic and repair program for the Mac available for testing until then. Because there is no other such application available yet for Intel-based Macs and our job is to test things out for our readers, we downloaded and ran the TTP 4.5.1 installer on our Intel-based 20" 2GHz iMac Core Duo.

A valid TTP 4 serial number is needed to run the beta. It installs in a separate folder so it can be removed easily when the finished product arrives.

We ran the Intermediate Suite of tests, all of which ran to completion successfully, except for Directory Maintenance and Volume Optimization which cannot be run on the boot volume while it is in use. We could not make an eDrive on the boot disk either because it's a function reserved for the CD/DVD.

Since we do have an 80GB external FireWire MiniMate backup drive, we cloned our iMac Core Duo's hard drive onto the MiniMate thereby making TTP 4.5.1 available to use from that drive. Then, we booted with the MiniMate and ran TTP 4.5.1 Beta on our iMac Core Duo's hard drive. Directory Maintenance ran successfully. The utility found a few non-critical directory fixes which we allowed it to make.

We then undertook Volume Optimization. There were about 11,500 disk and file frags, the most we've ever seen on one of our Macs. We initiated the optimization routine which proceeded normally. We decided to multi-task and write this report while TTP did its work--unfortunately, TTP 4.5.1 crashed. TechToolPro remounted the hard drive. Apparently, no damage was done and there were about 4,000 fewer frags in evidence. We completed the Volume Optimization routine with no further problems.

Finally, we ran the Intermediate Suite of tests, Directory Maintenance and Volume Optimization on the external MiniMate, too. 10,000 frags on that hard drive were all resolved. All tests completed without a hitch.

Subjectively, we think TTP 4.5.1 runs faster than ever, perhaps a function of our 2 GHz Intel Core Duo chip. We look forward to the final release next month. [Dana Baggett]