By Graham K. Rogers

Last week I wrote about beginning preparations for the coming of OS X 10.8, Mountain Lion. I began by using Disk Warrior, but the most recent version I had was 4.3. It was pointed out that the screen shot I had used shows 4.2 while the current version is 4.4.

I downloaded the update DMG file to create a new bootable disk, but my MacBook Pro was unable to read all of the necessary data from my original Disk Warrior disk. I tried a couple of times, but every attempt failed. Even washing the disk in a mild detergent (then leaving it to dry for several hours) failed to complete the process. I quickly put together Plans B and C: a second computer; and a replacement disk.

It took a couple of days for me to borrow a friend's 13" MacBook Pro partly because of the onset of the rainy season. When it arrived, I copied the disk image file across to the Admin account of the loaned machine and carried out the process exactly as I had on my own MacBook Pro. Unfortunately, the result was the same and I was forced to accept that those marks on the disk surface really do spell the end.

I thought I had been a little more careful this time. The earlier disk (version 3.x) had certainly been scratched when it had come out of the case in a bag I had carried it in. With the disk for Version 4, I had kept it in a cupboard and only used it for a couple of checks of my computer early on, then to update to a later version (as I had tried to do this time). On the last occasion, there was some difficulty but I managed to create an updated disk eventually. This time, my luck was out. Whether it is physical damage, or some deposit on the disk such as mould due to humidity, I am unsure. I need a replacement: Plan C.

As soon as the borrowed 13" Mac left my apartment, Tuesday evening, I sent email to Alsoft Technical support. The next morning, a reply advised me to contact the Sales Department which I did. Their reply arrived on Wednesday evening and the process is the same as before.

I needed to visit the Disk Warrior upgrade pages and complete an order form. As had been the case the last time I did this, although the process indicates an upgrade price of $49.95, as Alsoft already has the information concerning my purchase of Version 4, the cost is actually $12.95 plus $8.95 shipping.

I completed the order form with details including the serial number -- the same number since I first bought Disk Warrior several years ago -- and the process was complete. With Autofill, the form was filled out in a moment, although I did double-check; and then I entered credit card details. The charge will not be levied until the new disk is shipped.

In the past there has been a wait of a few days: the disks are burned individually and will include that same serial number on the printed disk label. However, an hour or so after placing the order I was asked to confirm the address details; and when I woke up Thursday morning there was another email from Alsoft: the new disk was on its way.

Having paid the full price (initially) plus an upgrade fee for version 4, as well as the cost of a couple of replacement disks (my fault), I would confirm that this is worth every cent (or in my case, Baht). As well as the repairs I have had to carry out on occasion over the last few years (fewer these days), there is also the question of preventative maintenance: finding the little problems before they mushroom. This is of particular importance with the imminent arrival of a new version of OS X, which is now rumoured to be coming on 25 July.

See also:

• Notes on Disk Warrior and Preparing for Mountain Lion (Additional Information Added re Compatible Macs); and
• Updating Disk Warrior: Stalled by my Defective Disk

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.