New tool discreetly watches SMART status, file structure issues

Micromat has released Checkmate, a new automated diagnostic software product for OS X. Checkmate runs when a Mac is typically idle and only runs tests during those times, stopping any time a user returns to the keyboard. The company claims that it can identify hard drive, memory and file problems before symptoms become visible to users, allowing corrective measures can be taken to prevent data loss or hard drive failure.

Checkmate is designed to be unobtrusive. After it is installed, no further action is necessary from the user for the software to monitor the ongoing health of a Mac. All tests are conducted when the user is away from the computer, and longer tests can pick up where they left off, allowing for extended tests to be performed over time. When problems are found, the program alerts the user, allowing them to open the Checkmate application which gives more details about the specific problem as well as suggest possible corrective measures.

The company claims that the application will not make any changes or take corrective action by itself. It only reports problems it finds that need attention, and makes suggestions for how the user can correct the problem. Users can then take the necessary steps to prevent problems from becoming more serious in the future.

Checkmate tests internal and external drives for logical and physical corruption, identifies files that may be damaged or corrupt, monitors internal drives’ SMART function for errors, reports disk errors that have been logged by the system, checks the status of attached RAID arrays, checks the health of batteries for laptop users, and reports RAM failures.

Checkmate requires an Intel-based Macintosh computer running OS X 10.6 or greater. The software can be purchased directly from the developer for $50, or at the limited-time introductory price of $30.

by MacNN Staff