Re: Formatting a profile

[Patrick Schaefer <PSchaefer@epost.de>]

"Gary R. Utter" schrieb:

> > 1. You can only do it on an Apple ///.
> 
> You can also do it on a Lisa. Just what hardware/software requirements
> are involved, I don't know. (And that means Lisa, not "Mac XL".)

Low level formatting requires an Apple III, an Apple III program and
special firmware for the Profile itself. Profile's firmware is contained
in a Z8 microcontroller.

High level formatting can be done with an Apple II, III or a Lisa.
Initializing the drive under ProDos just clears the directory ("format
c: /q"). During the LisaOS, Macworks XL installation a complete high
level format ("format c: /u") is done.

Profile checks itself during power-up. This is done when the red light
flashes. Bad blocks are replaced by spare blocks. 32 spare blocks are
available, with 33 bad blocks you are out of business. 
Sometimes bad blocks are not really bad, but the address field header
cannot be read anymore. In this case the failure will disappear after
low level formatting. 


Patrick