Re: Putting a new drive in a ProFile case

[phs172m@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au (Stephen Harker)]

In article <3j1kok$s9e@pith.uoregon.edu>, nparker@cie-2.uoregon.edu (Neil Parker) writes:
> I seem to recall somebody here mentioning not too long ago that it is
> possible to hook up a SCSI hard drive inside an old Apple ProFile case.
> I have an old ProFile sitting on the floor here that's basically useless
> to me because I don't have a ProFile interface card, and it occurred to me
> recently that this might be a good way to bring this beast back to life.

Yes it is not a particularly difficult job.  I once posted a detailed
description of the job (around 1989 to 1990).  My notes (and GS) are
back in civilisation while I am stuck 650km away in Canberra, so I
don't have all the information available here.

> The question:  Assuming that I didn't misread that post saying it was
> possible, how do you do it?  I opened up the ProFile tonight, and
> discovered that there are seven wires coming out of the power supply, but
> only two of them go to the drive mechanism (the other five go to the
> controller board).  Every SCSI drive I've ever met has a four-wire power
> connector.  Does the ProFile power supply even provide wires with the right
> voltages?  If so, which wires?  There are no labels anywhere to indicate
> which wire is which.

When I did it I threw out the old electronics and drive, retaining
only the power supply.  I thought that there was a note on the supply
that listed the voltages of the various wires, but may have obtained
the information from a photocopy of the Apple III Profile manual
(which had far more information on the Profile than the manual that
came with the Apple II interface).  Someone on the net would probably
have the information (or you can wait until I get back to Melbourne in
Easter).  

_If_ my memory is correct (and I would _not_ advise relying on it) the
connector which went to the Profile board had the correct voltages for
a SCSI drive connector.  I don't think I had to rewire anything or
even swap the leads in the connector.  Certainly the power supply
gives plenty of power (32 W).

I made up two L shapes brackets to hold the drive (mine was a 3.5"
form factor Quantum) and to be bolted onto the base of the case in the
old bolt locations.  I also made a couple of metal plates that I spot
welded to the back plane.  These were used to locate two 50 pin SCSI
connectors (on the side) and a fan (in the centre).  The extra two
wire connector was used to provide power to the fan.  Actually I doubt
the fan was needed, but I had some plans of adding a second drive to
the unit later.  There is plenty of room to do so, but I think you
would need to work on the power supply.

-- 
Stephen Harker			was phs172m@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
ex Monash University		now sjh@phadfa.ph.adfa.edu.au
now ADFA (Canberra)		Baloney baffles brains: Eric Frank Russell