Hard Disk Recovery

Mac OS X only: Freeware application DasBoot lets you create a Mac diagnostic and repair tool with any portable hard drive - including your iPod.

The idea behind DasBoot is that you can install any boot CD to your portable device, but since you’re running the programs off a disk rather than a CD or DVD, things are going to move a lot more quickly. Also, if you need to perform some file recovery, you’ll have hard drive space to recover the files with (as opposed to optical media). Granted, you’ll need to have purchased some disk recovery software, like previously-mentioned Disk Warrior, and none of that comes cheap (unless anyone knows of a good free Mac boot/repair utility?). DasBoot is freeware, Mac OS X only. — Adam Pash