Alsoft DiskWarrior - 2.0 Instruction Manual
10
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome to DiskWarrior
until long after the damage actually occurred. Also, if any portion of the directory is overwritten
by an errant program that inadvertently writes its own data, the directory is damaged.
by an errant program that inadvertently writes its own data, the directory is damaged.
When the Mac OS attempts to use the incorrect directory information to read or write informa-
tion on a disk, an error will occur. This error may be very minor and go unnoticed. It might cause
an instantaneous System bomb or crash. Or, worst of all, the entire contents of your disk could
become inaccessible!
tion on a disk, an error will occur. This error may be very minor and go unnoticed. It might cause
an instantaneous System bomb or crash. Or, worst of all, the entire contents of your disk could
become inaccessible!
Note:
Many people mistakenly think that the invisible desktop files are a part of the
directory. They are not. The truth is that the desktop files are maintained by the Finder. They
contain a list of your applications and the folders in which they are located (for quick
opening), and the icons and “Get Info” comments of all files. DiskWarrior does not “check”
or rebuild the contents of the desktop files. Rebuilding the desktop files will not repair any
directory damage.
contain a list of your applications and the folders in which they are located (for quick
opening), and the icons and “Get Info” comments of all files. DiskWarrior does not “check”
or rebuild the contents of the desktop files. Rebuilding the desktop files will not repair any
directory damage.
How Does Directory Damage Occur?
The continued accuracy of information in the directory depends on the ability of the Mac OS to
perform ALL of its update and maintenance operations without any unexpected interruptions. Al-
so, to help speed up many Mac OS computer operations, important pieces of information are
temporarily cached in memory instead of being immediately saved to the disk.
perform ALL of its update and maintenance operations without any unexpected interruptions. Al-
so, to help speed up many Mac OS computer operations, important pieces of information are
temporarily cached in memory instead of being immediately saved to the disk.
Common types of unexpected interruptions are System bombs and crashes, power loss (lights
flicker), turning your Mac OS computer off without using the proper “Shut Down” procedure,
and pressing the “RESET” button. Depending upon the exact moment of the interruption, you
stand a good chance that your directory was either not updated correctly and/or some informa-
tion had not been saved to the disk. You now have directory damage and/or information loss.
flicker), turning your Mac OS computer off without using the proper “Shut Down” procedure,
and pressing the “RESET” button. Depending upon the exact moment of the interruption, you
stand a good chance that your directory was either not updated correctly and/or some informa-
tion had not been saved to the disk. You now have directory damage and/or information loss.
Another way that your directory can be damaged is if an errant program inadvertently writes its
own data to the portion of the disk that is reserved for the directory. If this occurs, then your
directory data has been overwritten and may be permanently lost.
own data to the portion of the disk that is reserved for the directory. If this occurs, then your
directory data has been overwritten and may be permanently lost.
How Does DiskWarrior Prevent Disk Damage?
DiskWarrior’s exclusive and innovative DiskShield provides nonstop protection for your disks. It
makes sure that your directories are both updated and error-free.
makes sure that your directories are both updated and error-free.
DiskShield checks the validity of any data being written to the directory to prevent errant pro-
grams from destroying your directory. It also checks the validity of any directory data read from
your disks to alert you of any existing directory damage and to prevent the damage from escalat-
grams from destroying your directory. It also checks the validity of any directory data read from
your disks to alert you of any existing directory damage and to prevent the damage from escalat-