Apple posts Disk First Aid 8.6.1

Editor’s Note: Shortly after MacCentral posted this article, the file was apparently pulled from circulation on Apple’s download site. In the interim, readers have successfully downloaded and installed the new version of Disk First Aid by using the Software Update control panel.

Apple has posted its hard disk repair utility Disk First Aid 8.6.1 to its Download Web site. The new version is for Mac OS 9.0.4 and later.

Apple notes the following changes in Disk First Aid 8.6.1:

This version of Disk First Aid repairs certain types of master drectory block damage on Mac OS Extended format volumes. The previous version of Disk First Aid identifies the issue but doesn’t repair the damage.

Disk First Aid 8.6.1 also improves the compatibility of Mac OS Extended format hard disks with Mac OS X.

This version of Disk First Aid can repair more kinds of problems on a startup hard disk. However, Apple recommends that you start your computer from a different disk (such as a CD or floppy disk) before repairing the startup disk.

The software itself is available as an .SMI file, or a self-mounting disk image. The download clocks in at about 685K. More details are available from Apple’s Download site.

Disk First Aid is distributed for free from Apple. The software is provided as part of Apple’s basic installation suite for Mac OS 9.1 and lower. Disk First Aid 8.6.1 is intended for PowerPC-based Macs running the U.S. English version of Mac OS 9.0.4 or later, according to documentation included with the software.