Re: Profile and the IIe

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

Roger Johnstone <bhmhome@es.co.nz> wrote:

> In article <ggonter-0909992343500001@dial-50-tnt-btvt-01.ramp.together.net>,
> ggonter@together.net (Geof Gonter) wrote:
> 
> >1. Does it take a special cable to hook up to the I/O controller? He
> >assumed a DB25M to DB25M. By using that cable, and with the profile card
> >in slot 2, the ProDOS System Utilities disk recognized the drive (Slot 2,
> >Drive 1), but we get I/O errors when we try to read or format it.

The cable appears to be a straight through DB-25 male to male, with pin
7 cut out at each end.

> I believe formatting a ProFile is only possible on a real Apple III with
> special software.

The ProDOS FORMAT operation (with appropriate utility software) will do
a simple erase on the drive (i.e. write a blank directory).

If this reports an I/O error, then there could be a cable problem, or
the drive may need a low-level format, which requires an Apple III with
ProFile controller, special hardware (a CPU/PROM replacement in the
drive) and special software.

> >2. Is it readable with a IIe and ProDOS 8?
> 
> It should certainly work on a IIe running ProDOS 8.

Yep.  There are also tools to allow it to be used as a multi-volume data
drive in Apple II Pascal, while retaining the ability to boot and use
the drive in ProDOS.

> >4. Once it is connected, does it work just like a hard drive on a gs?
> 
> It should except that you can't reformat it. You should still be able to
> erase the drive though. I'm not sure if you can boot a ProFile on a II or
> not.

Yes, you can boot an Apple II from a ProFile (using ProDOS or Pascal).

My memory is a little hazy on the precise details: if it uses
SmartPort-compatible firmware, then you can't autoboot on a II+ or
unenhanced IIe (i.e. it won't boot from powerup or Ctrl-Apple-Reset),
but can boot manually using the PR#n command (where 'n' is the slot).

> >Weird too, I always was under the impression that for the e to use a 3.5"
> >drive that you needed the card and a 3.5" UniDisk. However, I found out
> >today that a 3.5" Apple drive works as well.
> 
> The only way you can use an Apple 3.5 Drive (non UniDisk) with a IIe is with
> the Apple SuperDrive controller card (the Laser Universal Disk Controller
> may be able to do it too?).

Both of these cards support the Apple 3.5 Drive.

> This card can control any of the Apple 3.5" drives: UniDisk 3.5, Apple 3.5
> Drive or SuperDrive (the 1.4MB drive).

Just to clarify slightly: note that this description is for the Apple
SuperDrive card, not the UDC.  The UDC doesn't support a SuperDrive, and
I'm still not sure about its support for the UniDisk 3.5.

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