a review by Tom Piper
Maintaining the good health of our computer investments is very important. Considering the substantial monetary initial investment, plus the hundreds of hours of time to create documents and files that are usually irreplaceable, we need to also invest in “tech insurance” to protect these assets. A great utility will usually fit this need.
The new Techtool Pro 8 is the most robust hardware diagnostic tool available for the Macintosh. It is easy to use for both home users and professionals using full 64-bit compatibility to keep my Mac running at its best. This utility brings with it some of the deepest hardware testing yet by testing components on my motherboard that no other utility can access. I can now test the sensors and fans on my iMac 27” retina, along with the battery when I’m using my MacBook Pro 15” retina. In addition, they have now integrated Protogo, so that I can create my own custom test drives for out in the field.
TechTool Pro already tests the major components on my motherboard such as RAM, processor, cache, and more. In TechTool Pro 8, they have taken it a step further, testing a wider variety of components on my Mac's motherboard. On some machines there are more than 100 electrical and temperature sensors that TechTool Pro will check. If any of those sensors report values outside of their acceptable operating range, the new Sensors test will let me know so that I can take the necessary steps to prevent a minor problem from becoming a major one.
The portability of TechTool Protogo is now included with every copy of TechTool Pro. TechTool Protogo allows me to create a bootable diagnostic device that contains TechTool Pro and all of its most powerful tools as well as any of my own utilities that I may wish to install. I can then use this device to boot, check, maintain, and repair Macintosh computers as needed. I can simply launch Protogo, choose Protogo from the Mode menu, and use it to set up a diagnostic disk.
TechTool Pro 8 works with all the latest models of Macintosh computers and works on the latest version of OS X, "Yosemite." It is an extremely valuable addition to my Macintosh toolbox. My Mac's hard drive (which is actually a Solid State Drive) is more likely to experience problems than any other component on my Mac. Because data changes so frequently, it can sometimes get scrambled which is why it's important to be able to test drives for problems and then repair them. Unfortunately, if something is physically wrong with the drive, it will need to be backed up and replaced, so the sooner this type of damage is detected, the fewer files will be lost. Most drive problems, however, result from data being in the wrong place, and can be repaired using Techtool Pro’s Volume Rebuild tool.
If my startup disk stops working, and I need another startup disk, TechTool Pro’s eDrive steps in to help. The eDrive is what I’ll use to test, rebuild or defragment my main hard drive, but it is really helpful if my main startup disk goes missing. Instead of fumbling for my original install DVD, or relying on the Recovery HD’s limited functionality, the eDrive gives me quick access to Techtool Pro along with several handy Apple utilities. I can even add other programs if I like.
The best way to prevent data loss is to be prepared. In addition to a backup, TechTool Pro includes TechTool Protection, which keeps an eye on my trash, allowing me to undelete that file I didn’t mean to delete. I can also back up my directory structures, the ‘map’ of where my data lives, so that if I need to recover data from a corrupt drive, TechTool Pro’s Data Recovery tool will know exactly where to look. Better yet, I also use TechTool Pro’s Volume Cloning tool to create an additional backup.
The best way is to start with Check Computer to perform a complete diagnostic check of my Mac and hard drives. With a single click of my mouse, it begins a SMART Check of my hard drive to detect impending drive failure, a RAM test, analysis of disk directories and more. If problems are found, advice is provided on how to proceed to repair the problem. Its a good idea to use Check Computer regularly as a part of my preventive maintenance program.
RAM problems are quite prevalent and can cause a variety of crashes, program errors and even data loss. I've seen many cases where a user will be chasing down a disk or extension problem when their issue was simply a faulty and inexpensively replaced memory module. As part of the RAM test, TechTool Pro also added an SPD report that shows me an enormous amount of technical and other interesting information about my computer's memory.
TechTool Pro performs both file and volume optimization. File optimization defragments individual files on the hard drive. Volume optimization consolidates the free space on a hard drive. For full optimization, perform Volume Optimization after File Optimization. The resulting optimization simplifies the file storage layout and may enhance the overall performance of my drive.
This utility will monitor the configuration of my local area network (LAN) by revealing the active services and ports on each selected machine or Bonjour supported device on my LAN. This information is important for strengthening security on a specific machine, Bonjour-supported device or my overall LAN, and is also helpful in tracking what devices have been in use in the past that are no longer available since the last time monitoring was performed.
Techtool Pro 8 is definitely feature-packed with benefits that all Mac users need for comprehensive diagnostics, repair, and maintenance. To ensure that my Mac stays optimized and trouble-free, I use Techtool Pro 8 regularly to keep my Mac running at peak performance. This is a truly powerful all-around utility to maintain my computer’s health.
There are even more features, so for more information, go to micromat.com/techtool-pro where TechTool Pro 8 Full Version is available for $99.99, TechTool Pro 8 Upgrade for $39.99, TechTool Pro 8 Business Pack for $299.99, and TechTool Pro DVD for $12.99 (will require current TechTool serial number). If the health of your Mac is important to you, I recommend this utility as one of the best all-purpose solutions available.