Re: Apple /// help - please!

[cps@access.digex.net (Chris Smolinski)]

In article <4u60r3$p8k@agate.xara.net>, rtk@scotborders.co.uk wrote:

> As part of my museum I have acquired an Apple /// with Profile. As a
> Mac-loving, IIgs using GUI-fan, with mice on my three main Apple ][s, I
> find this system pretty confusing, and I don't have the right cable.
> 
> I have the Profile disk (which runs under Pascal and looks for a compiler)
> as well as Driver's Aid and System disks for the ///. All of which fail
> to make things work. I have managed to get business graphics to recognise
> the Profile, but it is either blank, unformatted or dead!
> 
> I have been using a straight serial cable, but it is VERY long. What cable
> does it need... The drive clicks when accessed? (i.e. the head moves when
> a directory is requested, but nothing else happens).

It requires a straight thru 25 pin cable. (Actually, one of the pins
should be missing, since most profiles have a plug in one of the pin
sockets. But I digress). WHen you turn it on, it should do a self test of
the media, it will step through each track, and the LED on the front panel
blinks. Then the LED should stay on.

Using the System Utilities disk, try formatting the profile. It's possible
the drive needs a low level format. You can't do one with a ///. I have
heard a Lisa can do one, but no one has ever been able to actually explain
how. (Too bad, I have 5 of them)

Chris

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