Re: Imagewriter and ProFile Questions

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <31JUL199614442164@vax2.concordia.ca>, spec@vax2.concordia.ca
(Mitchell Spector) wrote:

>As I recall, the ProFile transfers data via a some sort 
>of parallel method, it is not SCSI, SASI, IDE or any other current type 
>of hardrive protocol

Yes, it is parallel.  The Lisa's parallel port can be connected directly
to the ProFile, but you need a controller card for the Apple /// or Apple
//.

I don't know what pinout it uses, but it is not likely to be compatible
with anything common.  All I know for sure is that pin 7 is deliberately
blocked on the drive, and that pin is missing on the connector.  This
prevents the accidental connection of a serial cable.

>(I'm not sure what is inside, perhaps a Winchester mechanism?).

The 5MB ProFile uses a standard Seagate ST-506 mechanism, which is the
original version of the hard drive which was the basis for the IBM XT hard
drive and subsequent larger "MFM" drives in PCs.  I expect the 10MB
version uses an ST-512 (or whatever it is called) but is otherwise
identical.

The case contains a full height 5.25" drive mechanism, a controller board
and a power supply.

>Personally, I'd recommend nothing less than 100MB
>connected via a DMA SCSI or IDE controller, as far as hardrive storage
>on a IIgs is concerned.

I'll second that.  5MB isn't even enough for a IIe, unless you are only
going to put system software and applications on there, and you don't have
many applications.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand