I was unable to update an old utility program (TechTool Deluxe) on my iMac (running 10.6.8) because the updater program says it can't find the previous version in my Applications folder. But the previous version is there and functions fine.

In my communications with TT support, I've sent them screen shots of the error message, the previous version list-viewed in the App folder and a Get Info of that version's file icon. They commented that the applications in my App folder are all listed with the .app extension, said that wasn't 'normal' and suggested that it may be why the updater isn't recognizing my installed version of TTD.

Well, when I deselected 'Show all filename extensions' in the Finder preferences, the updater still was unable to find the installed version of TTD. I'm not surprised by this, because I ordinarily have 'Show all filename extensions' selected in the Finder preferences, and have never had a problem with downloaded updaters being unable to find the program they're updating. But before I get back to TT support on this, I'm curious about the importance of the .app extension. After a little sniffing online I found this in Apple's Mac Developer library, dated 2009-06-25:

One of the ways OS X determines if a package is an application is through the use of file extensions. The rules to determine if a package is an application are:
On all file systems: the presence of a .app suffix
On HFS+ only: the .app suffix is optional, if the package bit is set and the folder contains a new style info.xml.

So, are .app extensions important, or can they be dropped, or are they optional only on HFS+??

I"d have to say "yes". Try doing a "get info" on the thing, and rename it
TT.app. Save it and if that works. I have a copy of TechTool Deluxe
and yes, it's TechTool.app, and it works, so why mess with it??

anyways, good luck to you

John B

Well John B, the version I have came with AppleCare and is over 3 years old, and there's a free upgrade to a newer version with enhanced features, so I figured I'd "mess with it."

TT Deluxe is a lite version of TechTool Pro, which I also thought I might purchase at a promotional price they're offering, but if I'm going to have problems with future updates, it may not be worth the hassle. Anyway, from previous comments and reviews I've come across, it's not exactly the best Mac Utility out there.

But what's most intriguing is why the updater isn't recognizing the previous version.

....

First off, what generation version of TTPro do you have installed, and what TTPro 'update' version are you attempting to use?

And I'm sure that you're aware of the difference between a compatible version 'update' and a later version 'Upgrade' and any appropriate 'update' for that particular version.

They need to be compatible for the installed TTPro version you already have installed.

I hear you pm-r. Let's get the app right first, though -- it's not TTPro, but TTDeluxe 3.1.3, and I rarely use it. But I ran it recently, it worked fine, and while in the program I did a 'Check for product update' and the feedback said download TTDeluxe 3.1.4. TT support confirms that it's the appropriate update for the TTD 3.1.3 that came with Applecare . They're just stymied as to why the 3.1.4 update installer doesn't recognize the 3.1.3 version in my app folder (see the failure message attachment below, which was sent to TT support with my initial query).

As I mentioned above, TT support says it may be because the updater doesn't recognize the .app extension, but that doesn't hold water because the same failure happens when I remove all .app extensions via the Finder preferences and run the installer again.

So now I'm just fishing for some ehMac feedback before I reply to TT support again.

Maybe try Download TechTool Deluxe for Mac - For AppleCare customers only. MacUpdate.com (http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/19415/techtool-deluxe)

They seem to have the TechTool Deluxe 3.1.4 available for download, and a note: For AppleCare customers only.

And I gather you have done the previous install from the CD, or maybe it got corrupted and needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled?

pm-r, the TTD page you refer to is the same page that the 'Check for product update' link took me to, and TTD 3.1.4 for AppleCare customers is the one I downloaded, and which failed to find/update the 3.1.3 version in my App folder.

The TTD version on my AppleCare CD is 3.1.2. It was installed from the CD back in '09 when I bought the iMac, and was subsequently updated to v3.1.3 via download from TT. The fact that I've updated once already via download from TT (v3.1.2 > v 3.1.3) is what makes the present problem puzzling.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, v3.1.3 currently in my App folder functions fine, so I doubt that it needs reinstalling. In any case, what's on the AppleCare CD is the earlier v3.1.2. I suppose I could reinstall 3.1.2 and try to update that to 3.1.4.

It wouldn't hurt to try reinstalling and then updating it. Move your existing TTDeluxe to your Utilities folder first.

But really, do you really want to even bother? I can't recall the last time that I have run any of the TechTool Pro versions I have (and that includes versions 4 to 6) and there are many other and better and fully OS X updated utilities available that can do more and do things better these days. Just saying. ;)