Each category lists the tools we've tested, and our opinions. You'll note that some tools do more than one thing, and may be strong in one category, and weak in another.
This list is based on a combined total of over 100 years of Mac experience, with serious Real World testing done on each named item (except where noted).
Also, in each category we try to provide links to articles that explain the ratings based on these Real World tests and results.
If you'd like us to test your favorite tool not listed here, please contact us.
Disk Drivers (details)
a) Apple Drive Setup 1.7.3 or newer (included with OS)(best) Apple Drive Setup Directory
b) FWB Hard Disk Toolkit (excellent) (http:www.fwb.com) $*
c) Silverlining (good) (http://www.lacie.com)
d) CharisMac (good) (http://www.charismac.com)
*note:(As of 3 January 2000, there's a special price of US$35.95 if you go to the Special Order page and enter "6sum99" in the discount code field.)
Physical Media Testing and Repair (details)
a) Drive Setup 1.7.3 or newer (use it if it's all you have, poor)(included with OS)Apple Drive Setup Directory
b) FWB HDT Pro (best) (http://www.fwb.com)
c) FWB HDT PE (excellent) (http://www.fwb.com)
d) TechToolPro 2.5.3 (fair) (http://www.micromat.com)
e) Norton 5.x (fair) (http://www.norton.com)
f) MacMedic 2.0 (poor) (http://www.macpitstop.com)
g) Silverlining (fair) (http://www.lacie.com)
h) CharisMac (poor) (http://www.charismac.com)
Directory Care (details)
a) Disk First Aid 8.5.5 (good) (included with OS)
b) Disk Warrior 1.1 (best) (http:www.alsoft.com)
c) TechToolPro 2.5.3 (poor) (http://www.micromat.com)
d) Norton 5.x (poor) (http://www.norton.com)
e) MacMedic (poor) (http://www.macpitstop.com)
File Recovery
a) Disk Warrior 1.1 (excellent) (http:www.alsoft.com)
b) Data Rescue 2.1.1 (best) (http://www.wildbits.com)
c) TechToolPro 2.5.3 (poor) (http://www.micromat.com)
d) Norton 5.x (fair) (http://www.norton.com)
e) MacMedic (poor) (http://www.macpitstop.com)
f) MacToolsPro (excellent) (no longer shipping, find used)
Desktop Database Care (details)
a) Trash*Desktop 1.2.1 (best, free) (http://www.plugin.ch/opus/E_TrashDesktop.html)
b) Finder (good) (included with OS)
c) TechToolPro 2.5.3 (poor) (http://www.micromat.com)
d) TechToolPro1.1.8 (fair) (http://www.micromat.com)
d) Norton 5.x (fair) (http://www.norton.com)
e) MacMedic (not rated) (http://www.macpitstop.com)
Optimisation and Defragmentation (details)
a) MacToolsPro (HFS only) (best) (no longer shipping, find used)
b) DiskExpressPro 3.x (HFS only, scheduled for update to HFS+) (very good) (http:www.alsoft.com)
c) PlusOptimiser 1.1 (HFS+, defragments only) (fair) (http:www.alsoft.com)
d) Norton Speed Disk 5.x (at your own risk!) (good) (http://www.norton.com)
e) TechToolPro 2.5.3 (very poor) (http://www.micromat.com)
f) MacMedic (very poor) (http://www.macpitstop.com)
g) You can also use ' A Poor Man's Volume Optimiser' to get away without a good disk optimiser until you can afford one (data swap between volumes, erase, return for contiguous writes). See: Optimisation Versus Defragmentation
Virus Protection (details coming soon)
a) Virex 6.x (payware, covers old and new viruses, slow, some conflicts) (http://www.mcafee.com)
b) Norton AntiVirus (payware, causes known conflicts leading to Directory damage and crashes)(http://www.norton.com)
c) AGAX (free, currently covers only 3 popular viruses, fast, no conflicts)(http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~s2191331/agax/agax.html)
Hardware (details coming soon)
RAM (Memory)
a) TechToolPro 2.5.3 (has some interesting hardware test features, I wouldn't use any of its file,
volume, or disk repair, file recovery or "protection" features.) (http://www.micromat.com)
b) GaugePro 1.0 (free, formerly RAMoMeter, an excellent RAM tester and CPU stat tool) (http://www.newertech.com/software/gauges/index.html)
PRAM Battery
a) Battery Checker (free) (http://www.mrdataworks.com/bchk.htm)
b) Battery Tester (free) (ftp://ftp.telalink.net/pub/mac/util/system/Battery_Tester_1.0.sit.hqx)
c) PRAM Battery Checker (free) (http://www.best.com/~jluszcz/software.html)
Other
We're still compiling lists of great tools, for now check out the Library at MacFixit, or do a search at VersionTracker using the keywords of the hardware you want to test.
Conclusion
As you can see, to get the best of everything (according to me) requires more than one utility. If you must conserve cash in favor of one purchase, I would have to tell you to get DiskWarrior. With it, used frequently to prevent, not just repair, you can fill in with freeware and the things you already have to keep your Mac in tip top shape. It will also be a decent bet in the event of catastrophic Directory and boot block damage for file recovery.
Article Created On: 2 February '95
Article last revised on: 9 January '00
Author: Frederico
Editor: WebClub '00
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