FYI TechTool Deluxe & desktop choices can result in false Video RAM "fail"

If you choose to have your desktop display random pics or images, when you run TechTool Deluxe you will end up with a "fail" on your video RAM test.
This is a false failure.
All you have to do is change your desktop to a constant image and the test will pass.
I found this out after having to reinstall my OS X and I ran TechTool Deluxe before restoring my backup and all tests passed. After restoring from backup to my desktop choice of random images changing every 5 secs, I ran TechTool Deluxe again and the test for video RAM "failed". Resetting my desktop to a constant image resulted in a "passed".

Well the apple test (on disk 1 of OSX) states that nothing is wrong. Though I will test again when the temp gets high since some people had been detecting problems.
as for 10.4.6 I downloaded it the other day.
I repaired the permissions had a couple things that it corrected (I don't know if I posting them would do any good) Out of curiousity how to permissions get incorrect? I'm so used to the windows file structure and DOS before that that i am a little confused. The last apple used alot before this macbook was an old Applee IIE.
and the TechTools still says there is an error, every time I have run the test. Though there have been some differences when I reboot or turn of and wait a second and then restart.

Similar Messages

Techtool deluxe on osx lion does not run video ram test

I ran Techtool Deluxe after having installed OS X Lion. When it gets to the Video Ram test it quits. If I disable this test all is fine. What's wrong with testing video ram on OSX Lion?
Thanks.
G

Same problem. I've been having a lot of weird issues ever since Lion. Safari has crashed about ten times in the last two days and my mac keeps logging off all by its self. It seems that Techtool Deluxe and Lion don't go well together...when it starts it says that it hasn't been tested with Lion, and they no longer include it with AppleCare, so it seems that apple has discontinued the application. I'd say that from here on out, Techtool Deluxe will simply be a memory of the past...so probably just don't use it anymore.

TechTool Deluxe-Video RAM fails

New iMac running Leopard. It came with AppleCare and TechTool Deluxe 3.1.1. I did a check on my iMac, and Video RAM failed. I am wondering whether this is due to Leopard imcompatibility?(I did get a warning when I started TechTool). or there is something wrong with iMac. Thanks.

Try running the Apple Hardware Test and see what it says. I have heard of incompatibility if the Tech Tool Deluxe is not for Leopard. You could probably take the Tech Tool Deluxe back to Apple and ask for something that is current and will work with Leopard. They should be willing to swap out the disc for you if they have something more current on hand, or have a suggestion as to what to do. There might be a download.
Good luck!

Video RAM fails in Tech Tool Deluxe....

Hello again,
I reformatted my harddrive a couple days ago, and the computer is getting quicker but I KNOW it could be faster so I did a Full Diagnostics using tech tool deluxe. The first time I did it, it passed on everything. Then the next time I was browsing the Internet, I get a Kernel Panic out of the blue. I downloaded the "menu Meters" program and None of my computers resources were Anywhere from intense (1-3% tops CPU usage) So I reboot and do the Tech Tool test yet again and This time my Video ram Fails the Diagnostics. It tells me that I should Close all Applications, Check any recent hardware installs, Reinstall the OS , then call Apple care, in that order. I tested it again after unplugging my 17" LCD from my macbook pro and I passed the Test?!
I am going to call Applecare tommorow afternoon, but do you think they will fix/replace my macbook pro if it is now passing the tests? Before I install Final Cut Studio I want to make sure I don't have to worry about any other problems with my computer. Especially something as vital as V-Ram. Plus according to my friend at a techshop, the video ram supposedly has a bad sector which was randomly diagnosted during the Techtool session, because I was using a second display, and that my Video Ram will gradually get worse and worse until I will have to send it to apple either way.
I'm interested in any information you would like to post on the subject. I am going to get it fixed one way or the other, but it's nice to have some extra input on my side when I call Applecare (it will be my first time actually).
If anyone has any tips, or comments they would be appreciated,
Thanks.

When you did a clean install of your MBP did you write zeros to the hard drive. While it probably has nothing to do with your VRAM failing its tests it is good idea to do it anyway.
As for your VRAM failing, I would reset PRAM and NVRAM…
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
… and the System Management Controller…
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
… imediately prior to clean installing (and writing zeros to the drive) a second time.

Video ram fails techtool deluxe exam

Ran Techtool Deluxe utility because of constant freezes. Diagnostic shows that the video ram portion of the test has failed. Does this mean bad video card? What are the possibilites that I must look for?
Thanks

Cross check with the Apple Hardware Test program, extended tests. If it fails or not, contact AppleCare and get it fixed.

TechTools Deluxe (Re: Video RAM and reinstall)

I have the annoying screen inverter/logic board whine (yes I know this has been talked to death here), sometimes not so bad and sometimes I can hear it over a desktop PC is the bearing going out in one of the fans. I happen to be visiting family in a city with an Apple Store this weekend, so I thought I would talk to a real person face to face. Anyways, I ran the TechTools Deluxe CD that I received a week of so after I got my MacBook Pro. To see if there was anything else besides, my whine to mention to them and will you look what came up
Video RAM
Failed
Video RAM, as all components of your video circuitry, must be fully functional for graphics to be properly displayed. Damaged VRAM can cause missing bits, screen noise, system lock ups, or freezes. TechTool Deluxe tests the VRAM on the Macintosh main logic board, as well as some third-party video cards.
If the VRAM test should fail, try these steps in order and run the test again after each step:
o Quit all other applications.
o Restart the system.
o Check any recently-added hardware for proper installation.
o Run the computer from another volume (if available).
o Reinstall the OS.
o Contact AppleCare.
I have done everything except reinstall the OS and contact AppleCare.
Anyways I wanted to know first of all if anyone else had gotten this error and if so did a reinstall fix it? Secondly how hard is the reinstall, I come from years and years of DOS, 3.1, 95, 98, Me, and XP, and one thing all of them have tought me, is reinstalls are horrible, drivers don't work again, ect. So is OSX easy or should I just ask them to look at it this weekend?
Oh and the Apple Diagnostic on the OSX cd 1 says everything is fine.

Well the apple test (on disk 1 of OSX) states that nothing is wrong. Though I will test again when the temp gets high since some people had been detecting problems.
as for 10.4.6 I downloaded it the other day.
I repaired the permissions had a couple things that it corrected (I don't know if I posting them would do any good) Out of curiousity how to permissions get incorrect? I'm so used to the windows file structure and DOS before that that i am a little confused. The last apple used alot before this macbook was an old Applee IIE.
and the TechTools still says there is an error, every time I have run the test. Though there have been some differences when I reboot or turn of and wait a second and then restart.

TechTool Deluxe resulted in failures

I ran TechTool Deluxe on my MacBook Pro, and "Format Check", "Directory Scan" and "Volume Structure" resulted in failure. I was unable to proceed with fixes. Can anyone advise me? Thank you.

To repair your Boot drive, you need to boot from another drive (like a DVD), so that your boot drive will be available for complete repairs.
One pass of Disk Repair can also be done by Restarting with Shift key held down, to boot into Safe Mode.

My 5 yr old 2 GHz Intel Core Duo 20" iMac, right after I disconnected an external HD that had been on the desktop (i.e. I forgot to eject it properly), started displaying video anomalies (lines); testing (TechTool Deluxe 3.1.3) indicates the video is f

My 5 yr old 2 GHz Intel Core Duo 20" iMac, right after I disconnected
an external HD that had been on the desktop (i.e. I forgot to eject it
properly), started displaying video anomalies (lines); testing
(TechTool Deluxe 3.1.3) indicates the video is failing.
The graphics card is an ATI Radeon X1600. Is this reasonably
replaceable? If so, is the "MPC ClientPro 434 All In One ATI MXM X1600
PCIe 128MB Video Card" I found on eBay (for $25, used) essentially the
same unit?
My soldering skills are, sadly, poor.
And it only dawned on me a couple days ago that because this iMac does
not have a Core 2 Duo processor, it will not be able to enter the
"Lion" generation.
Thanks,
Patrick
PS Are manuals for this model available? I have a copy of the Peachpit
Apple Training Series "Desktop and Portable Systems, Second Edition"
but it only goes up to the G5 20" iMac. There doesn't appear to be a
3rd or later edition in the series.

My 5 yr old 2 GHz Intel Core Duo 20" iMac, right after I disconnected
an external HD that had been on the desktop (i.e. I forgot to eject it
properly), started displaying video anomalies (lines); testing
(TechTool Deluxe 3.1.3) indicates the video is failing.
The graphics card is an ATI Radeon X1600. Is this reasonably
replaceable? If so, is the "MPC ClientPro 434 All In One ATI MXM X1600
PCIe 128MB Video Card" I found on eBay (for $25, used) essentially the
same unit?
My soldering skills are, sadly, poor.
And it only dawned on me a couple days ago that because this iMac does
not have a Core 2 Duo processor, it will not be able to enter the
"Lion" generation.
Thanks,
Patrick
PS Are manuals for this model available? I have a copy of the Peachpit
Apple Training Series "Desktop and Portable Systems, Second Edition"
but it only goes up to the G5 20" iMac. There doesn't appear to be a
3rd or later edition in the series.

I am running OS X ver. 10.5.8. Can I still use TechTool Deluxe ver. 3.1.2 to check integrity of my iMac?

I bought my iMac in Jan. of 2009. I also bought AppleCare at the same time. With AppleCare, I received TechTool Deluxe ver. 3.1.2. The only upgrades to the OS are the ones that Apple provided free. Now I want to start catching up on the OS upgrades, starting with Snow Leopard. I would like to check out my machine before upgrading to Snow Leopard. Can I still use TechTool Deluxe ver. 3.1.2 to do that? I have only used it once before with the assistance of an AppleCare agent. I'm afraid that the free upgrades I have received over the last 3 years, might cause a conflict between my current OS (10.5.8), and TechTool Deluxe ver. 3.1.2.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ken Taggart

Hi ...
Now I want to start catching up on the OS upgrades, starting with Snow Leopard.
Make sure your Mac meet's Snow Leopard's requirements > Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard - Technical Specifications
You don't need TechTool in order to check the startup disk. You can verify the disk and repair if necessary using your Mac install disc.
Launch Disk Utility located in /Applications/Utilities.
Select the startup disk on the left then select the First Aid tab.
Click: Verify Disk (not Verify Disk Permissions)
if the startup disk needs repairing, follow the instructions for Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks
While you have the Disk Utility window open, check for Available disk space at the bottom of the window. (Snow Leopard requries 5GB of available space).
Make sure there's a minimum of 15% free disk space. And make sure S.M.A.R.T. status says: Verified.

I have an Apple MacBook on which Lion 10.7, plus all updates, are successfully installed. Can you tell me if TechTool Deluxe, normally supplied with Apple here has been now tested and found to run successfully? I have run the program to check a problem

I have an Apple MacBook on which Lion 10.7, plus all updates, are successfully installed.
Can you tell me if TechTool Deluxe, normally supplied with Apple here has been now tested and found to run successfully?
I have run the program to check a problem that I'm having. The particularly with video, and also volume structure. TEchTool Delux reports a failure for both of these components.
I am wondering if this is realistic or not, given the start-up screen for TechTool Delux mentions on start-up that it has yet to be tested fully with Lion?
With thanks, Ron.

Yes, I understand, however, he Macbook is out of its Applecare, but the TechTool it still on the machine. Does that entitle me to an upgrade in TechTool?
I suspect not, hoever, seeing I am running Lion, I am not sure at all? If you can answer this question it will help as then Imight be able to solve the problem I'm having.
Best regards, Ron

FYI: Updated version of TechTool Deluxe 3.1.2 available for AppleCare users

Just a heads-up that Micromat has recently released an update to TechTool Deluxe, the disk and system utility that comes bundled when you purchase an AppleCare protection plan for Macs. This update requires that you have a previous 3.x version installed on you HD and can be [downloaded right here|http://www.micromat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=199&Item id=104].
Cheers!

Does this update apply to me as my Apple care does not expire until June 2008, and if so, should I do the update?...am always a bit scared of doing anything new.
I seem to remember once reading a warning on this forum about TT deluxe,(which is installed on my Mac') but can't now remember what it was about!
Any advice would be welcome, please. Thank you.

Can't Create a Bootable DVD of TechTool Deluxe

I am trying to create a bootable dvd of TechTool Deluxe (from AppleCare) and it just isn't working.
I have followed the instructions to the letter, but when I try to boot from the disk (either by holding down C or changing the startup disk before restarting) all I get is a gray screen that eventually shuts down to black and tries to start again.
I've tried the disk on my brand new 24" iMac as well and it isn't working there either. I previously made a TechTool Deluxe disk for my Mac Mini (now sold) and it did work, so I am confused as to why there is a problem now.
Thanks for any advice!

Bottom line here is that the TechTool Deluxe from my AppleCare for my MacBook is not bootable on my MacBook.
That's because that disc does not have the right bootROM on it.
Don't worry about it. That TechTool Deluxe disc that comes with AppleCare is a Mickey Mouse lite version of Tech Tool Pro. The idea is to get you to buy TTP.
Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

TechTool Deluxe contradictory results

I could not determine where to post regarding TechTool Deluxe (included with AppleCare). Is there a better forum to have used?
I've just purchased AppleCare for my recent iMac acquisition. I downloaded the latest TechTool Deluxe (v. 3.1.3). After burning a cd and also installing it, I went ahead and ran all the tests enabled by default (i.e. all but "Surface Scan").
Each "Passed". But, when it got to "Volume Structure", the visual indication said, "Fail". However, report window showed "Passed". So, I ran it again (just that test). Same thing; failed visually, and passed in report. I tried a different test (RAM); it passed in both.
So, now I am confused.
What does it mean for TTD to tell me that it Failed and also Passed? Is this a known bug in TechTool Deluxe?

It doesn't mean anything. If you need to repair your drive use Disk Utility, not TTD. If you have questions about TTD the best place to ask is to call AppleCare or contact the developer, MicroMat.

Surface scan on TechTool Deluxe.

Hi
Surface scan on TechTool Deluxe has said that there were 48 errors, why is this? Is this due to the Internet or is it internal or is it just something that happens? Need answers please.
Regards

TJ94 wrote:
Surface scan on TechTool Deluxe has said that there were 48 errors, why is this? Is this due to the Internet or is it internal or is it just something that happens?
A surface scan identifies bad sectors on the drive where data won't be reliably read or written too.
Normally as one writes data to the drive if it can't write to it then the driver software maps off that bad sector and uses another.
However at the factory, data is likely injected directly onto the drive, right over the bad sectors and everything which might result in unstable OS X behavior.
If your computer is running fine, then no need however if OS X is unstable, then perhaps some part of OS X itself is written on a bad sector.
There is a simply method to pre-mapping off bad sectors on new hard drives, and that's Disk Utility Erase Security option Zero and format the drive HFS+ journaled. (warning all data will be lost)
You can also do this in a perfectly fine working OS X by using Disk Utilities "Erase Free Space" option and choosing Zero (don't format)
To do it to a whole OS X drive, you need to clone all the data off first using Carbon Copy Cloner, to a external drive, then hold option and boot from the clone, then use Disk Utility > Zero method.
What Zeroing does is writes 0's to every bit on the drive or free space, depending which option you choose.
The driver software for the hard drive will then map off any bad sectors automatically. So with Zeroing your forcing the machine to do it in advance.
As you notice the Surface Scan for TechTool Deluxe was not enabled in the software by default, it's because there are always errors from bad sectors, but the hard drive driver software automatically takes care of them.

TechTool Deluxe wont install

I got the TechTool Deluxe CD with my Applecare back in 2006. I am trying to resolve some issues with World of Warcraft crashing my computer since the day I've had it.
I'm trying to either install TechTool Deluxe or boot the system up from the CD but both are giving me a hard time.
When I restart the computer and hold down the 'c' key, it just loads up to the desktop as normal.
When I double click the TechTool Deluxe installer, it hangs at the final stage "finishing up"
How do I get this to work?

Jeremy, an expert systems engineer with Applecare, recommended that we try creating a new user directory using the Accounts pane of System Preferences, logout and re-login as the new user, and then reinstall Tech Tool Deluxe.
That worked. Not only did the installer run properly and finish installation, but TechTool is now available to all users of an individual computer who can pass authentication, so it isn't necessary to log into the new user directory each time it's necessary to run the program.
Apparently there must be a software conflict between TechTool and other software in the primary user directory. We tried this approach on both our MacPro and iMac G5 and it worked on both computers.
One other point: the best practice would probably be to remove all files and folders from the incomplete installation before installing TechTool into the new user directory.
Big thanks to Jeremy and to his Applecare team for yet another promptly resolved issue. Good to see that the best support operation in the industry keeps rolling along. Fine work!

FYI TechTool Deluxe & desktop choices can result in false Video RAM "fail"

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