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DESCRIPTION
TinkerTool System is an application similar to System Preferences. It allows you to change advanced operating system settings and gives access to internal maintenance features built into Mac OS X.
The following features are available in TinkerTool System:
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Run the periodic system maintenance scripts by simply pressing a button
- Reset the permission settings of Mac OS X system files (*)
- Repeat the installation step "Optimizing System Performance"
- Clean up cache files of the Internet browsers Safari, Internet Explorer®, Netscape®, Mozilla, OmniWeb, Camino, Opera version 6, and iCab
- Clean up cache files for the current user
- Clean up cache files for the whole system
- Remove archived copies of system log files
- Remove Finder information files (.DS_Store files)
- Remove resource fork emulation files ("dot underscore;#34; files)
- Force-delete single files or empty folders
- Enforce emptying of the Trash if the Finder is unable to do this
- Restore the localization settings for your private home folder in case you have updated from Mac OS X 10.1 or have deleted, then recreated some folders
- Restore the alias for accessing the Desktop of Classic from Mac OS X
- Set the energy saver options for hard disks to specified values
- Tune the network options, including MTU size for each network interface, TCP and UDP receive window sizes, and TCP transmit window size
- Enable Quartz Extreme for a wider range of graphics cards
- Enable or disable file system journaling for Mac OS X Extended volumes
- Enforce diagnostic or safe startup mode for the operating system
- Make the system use only one processor or a limited amount of memory for diagnostic purposes
- Let the system log kernel panic messages directly to screen in case the automatic panic log recovery doesn't work
- Change the base system language effective during startup and login without having to reinstall the system (*)
TinkerTool System is fully compliant with Apple's security guidelines for Mac OS X. It does not need an installer and does not require special system packages to be installed. To launch the tool, no administrator password is needed.
The features marked with an asterisk (*) are available without any restrictions even if TinkerTool System runs in demo mode. In evaluation mode, all features are available.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 2.1:
- This version adds support for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
- By request of many users, this version adds a printable PDF version of
the reference manual. The manual is available as a separate, free download
in English or German (approx. 150 pages each).
- Added new system information categories, displaying the 32 or 64 bit
capabilities of the processor, and 64 bit operation mode of the Mac OS
X kernel.
- Added new startup preference to enforce booting the kernel in 32 or 64
bit mode if possible.
- Added new system information field that displays the unique identification
code (UUID) of the computer.
- Added a new preference to display memory sizes within TinkerTool System
either in classic style, as Kibi units, or using standard units.
- Added a user option to let the application automatically reopen the last
used pane when starting, similar to TinkerTool System 1.
- Added new feature to let the user define an optional blacklist of software
bundles which should be ignored when removing language packages.
- Added new login setting to hide or show mobile user accounts.
- Added new login setting to enable or disable external user accounts.
- Added new login settings to enable the screen saver for the login screen
(Snow Leopard only).
- Added operating system filter for the setting to define a customized
Software Update Server.
- The user interface to reset permissions on the system volume has been
redesigned. Status messages will now be shown in the user's preferred language.
- The feature to remove Macintosh-specific data from removable disks has
been significantly accelerated. The typical case of cleaning DOS-formatted
memory sticks containing more than 100,000 files will now be handled much
faster.
- The application now automatically corrects problems with the system's
login preferences in case they have been damaged by a low-quality “multifunction
utility”.
- Enhanced status messages for systems where the weekly maintenance script
needed a long time to run.
- Enhanced error messages for cases where Apple's certificate revocation
server is down.
- Corrected a problem where the security environment of the application
could not auto-repair itself under very special circumstances.
- Corrected a problem where removing words from the user's spell checker
dictionaries did not work as expected.
- Corrected a problem where clicking on a subsection header in the table
of ACL permissions could cause the application to quit unexpectantly.
- Corrected typographical errors in the documentation and user interface.
- Many other small additions and enhancements.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.3.8 or later
| SCREENSHOT
| Developer: | Marcel Bresink |
| Downloads: | 56,294 |
| - Version d/l: | 2,915 |
| Utilities: | System |
| License: | Shareware |
| Date: | 28 Aug 2009 |
| Platform: | PPC/Intel |
| Price: | $14.00 |
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| TinkerTool System User Reviews (27 posts) | Write A Review |
 | Oct 20 2009 |
OAK This MacUpdate page lists TTS 2.1 as working with OS X 10.3.8. It does not. This App is for 10.5 and above only. It does not work with Tiger or earlier versions. (Version 2.1) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jul 1 2009 |
SHAUN Well I am really impressed with Dr Bresink and his software. I saw all the positive comments here so decided to purchase TinkerTool System. At first it did not open at all so I sent a mail to Dr Bresink explaining my problem to which he replied that he would send me another version of his software to diagnose my problem. I sent him the logs that he requested and within a few minutes (Yes !! a few minutes) he had sent me another version of TinkerTool System which would overcome my problem ( damaged login preferences ) This is ten star customer service as far as I am concerned. So thanks again Dr Bresink. (Version 2.0) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jul 1 2009 |
JAN13 Hands down winner ! (Version 2.0) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jun 30 2009 |
THUS.SPAKE.Z I've been using TTS for several years and have found it to be an outstanding maintenance app, it's been consistently stable and reliable. The developer has demonstrated that he really knows what he's doing. When I've had a question, he's been very helpful and courteous. I originally paid $10 for the app. I have no problem paying the $15-$16 fee for version 2. It's well worth the money and besides that, Marcel Bresink definitely deserves some income for his labors......he's shown that he's(as one reviewer stated) a true master of his craft. He's one software developer for whom I have a great deal of respect. (Version 2.0) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jun 30 2009 |
ESPIRIDION I'm a fan of TinkerTool System and was ready to upgrade to version 2. In this case I was disappointed by the lack of upgrade pricing for version 1 users. It is not an expensive application, but developers typically reward users who support their software by offering a discounted upgrade path. (Version 2.0) | |
| [ 3 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Jul 1 2009 |
MJHARPER It's worth noting that TTS 2 is a free upgrade to anyone who purchased TTS 1 after 3 July 2008 - which is a very generous time-frame. And the price of TTS 2 is only fractionally more expensive than TTS 1 in euros, but the current exchange rate with the dollar makes it seems more expensive to US customers. (Version 2.0) | |
 | Jul 1 2009 |
LOUNGE DELUXE I bought Tinkertools System 1.0 more then 4 years ago, so it's not like we have to upgrade every year. In the mean time the developer kept updating this app over and over again and even made it Leopard compatible, all done without an additional license fee. Technical support is truly excellent, on more than one occasion I bugged him with (not always very clever) questions and every time he responded to them within a few hours (even during the weekend). I therefor have no trouble at all to pay the full price again, after all the developer has to make a living just as the rest of us and I consider the price fair. (Version 2.0) | |
 | Jul 1 2009 |
ESPIRIDION I agree with the comments. Great program, great support, and as I mentioned from the start it is not expensive. I've recommended TinkerTool System to many mac users and techs. Other developers offer great programs as well, provide excellent support, as well as an upgrade path. I simply don't like it when developers do not offer an upgrade path to customers. (Version 2.0) | |
 | Jun 30 2009 |
HARV According to the notes: "Added a new feature to display and modify the user's list of learned words of the Mac OS X spell checking subsystem." I have hunted about but still can't access/find the location of that capability. Clearly operator error, but please, any help would be appreciated. And, FWIW, I really appreciate the feature of adding TinkerTool to Tinker Tool System and thus avoid opening both applications. (Version 2.0) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Jun 30 2009 |
HARV No sooner than the Edit time elapsed, I found the Spelling location. It is in User/Dictionaries. | |
 | Jun 30 2009 |
HELMO HASS well as always i definately love this little monster :D the only thing i regret is the ancient interface, i found the new sliding panes very ugly, and sometimes confusing.. but well all we need is a good tool as it is, not a polished useless thing! Thanks M.B. (Version 2.0) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jun 24 2008 |
MACMAN8 I use both TinkerTool and TinkerTool System, and appreciate the efforts that have gone into developing these fine programs. With this new update, something "odd" has surfaced. When I attempt to clean caches, the Safari button is "grayed-out" and it will not allow me to select Safari. I'm using the latest Safari (3.1.1) and wondered if that affects it. Any ideas here? Why am I unable to select Safari? FYI, Shiira is "grayed-out" as well, but I was allowed to select all other browsers. Still, I use TinkerTool System each day at shutdown, and love the application. (Version 1.87) | |
| [ 2 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Feb 25 2009 |
BIZZYB0T From their changelog... "Support for cleaning the Internet browser caches of Safari 3 and Shiira 2 (or later) has been removed. Those browsers have their own powerful cache cleaning features already integrated. Previous versions of Safari and Shiira are still supported for cleaning." | |
 | Jun 17 2009 |
MIDWESTGEEK What is the difference between TinkerTool and TinkerTool System? (Version 1.9) | |
 | Jun 17 2008 |
BRUCE_Y Great utility, reasonable price. FYI, since ver 1.8.0, he dropped support for Jaguar (10.2.3) and now the minimum system level requirement is 10.3.8 + (Version 1.87) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jun 9 2008 |
SYHARRIS This has got to be the crème de la crème of OS maintenance apps; it's the work of an absolute master. It's sophistication, elegance and total stability just blows me away each time I use it. It just doesn't get better than this,. Marcel Bresink, TTS's developer is a genius, and TTS is true perfection in the high art of German craftsmanship at its finest. Its very modest cost is hard to believe considering the enormous amount of work that must have gone into creating this gem. (Version 1.85) | |
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