Re: ProFile hd question

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

In article <3enst2$o78@acme.freenet.columbus.oh.us>,
Dave Althoff <dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us> wrote:
> 
> Oooooh!  I would try everything in my power to heal the drive without a
> low-level format if I were you!  There is a slight problem with the
> ProFile.  As I understand it (rumor, gathered over the years from several
> sources), the ProFile has to be formatted using a (ready for this?) Apple
> ///.  Count the slashes:  that's Apple /// as in use a utility program in
> SOS.  Rumor has it that not only is it necessary to use SOS (and thus an
> Apple ///), but that it is also necessary to change a PROM in the drive
> controller in order to actually get it to format.

Correct.  You need to change the PROM in the ProFILE's embedded
controller, and use special software on an Apple III.  I haven't done
this myself, but a friend has.  I think I kept a copy of the PROM
around in case we needed to do this again at some point.  The processor
on the ProFILE controller is a Motorola 68P02, which is a 6802 with
piggy-back EPROM.

My user group's BBS used to be running from a ProFILE, and we had to
reformat one every few months.

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