Re: Formatting a profile

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

Andrea <superfiko@virgilio.it> wrote:

> Is there someone who can explain me how to fromat a profile? I have an Apple
> /// and a IIe, TKS

It is a rather complicated process, requiring a collection of rare
parts:

1. You can only do it on an Apple ///.

2. You must have the Apple /// ProFILE controller card.

3. You need a copy of the special formatting firmware which is specific
to your ProFILE model (5 MB or 10 MB).  It must be burned into an EPROM.
(I forget the size of the EPROM, but it is probably a 2708 or 2716).

4. You need the special "piggyback" version of the Z8 CPU, i.e. one
which accepts an EPROM plugged in on top of it.

5. You need the software which controls the formatting process.  This
has to match the firwmare version and is probably tied to the drive
capacity.

The special Z8 CPU and EPROM must be installed in the ProFILE in order
to do the low level format, replacing the normal Z8 CPU on the drive's
internal controller board.

That is all I know about the process, and I've never seen it in
operation.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz