The ProFile was Apple’s first external hard drive and was developed for the business-class Apple III line. After the failure of the Apple III to catch on, Apple re-released the ProFile in 5 and 10 megabyte versions for their next big business flop, the Apple Lisa.
Given the outlandish prices Apple III hardware and software fetch on eBay these days, I was quite happy to snatch up this ProFile I/O controller for a song – well, okay, the Buy It Now was $19.99. I’ve had a 5MB ProFile drive in storage for quite some time now, as I didn’t have a matching controller, so I was looking forward to firing it up.  Unfortunately, I discovered I’ve misplaced (or perhaps never had in the first place), the cable to connect the drive.
Based on the information in this Apple tech note, I think I can use a “standard” parallel cable, but I’ll need one with male DB-25 connectors at each end. There are plenty of places online that will sell me one for cheap, but sometimes I prefer the friendly face-to-face service (and occasional comical expression when I explain what I want) I get from my local custom cable place. They’ve always been great in the past, so I’ll pay them a visit tomorrow…
As you can see, this particular unit isn’t in very good cosmetic condition: improper case reassembly has resulted in stress cracks, and the oxidation on the metal components leads me to believe it was stored somewhere humid for a time before I got it. Additionally, the “silvering” has worn off the badges.  The important thing, though is whether it works, and though I can’t yet plug it in to my Apple III for testing, it at least powers up successfully and I can hear the massive 5.25″ Seagate ST-506 drive chugging away inside.
You’ve already figured it out, but the ProFile cable is a DB-25 to DB-25, wired straight through, with pin 7 missing:
http://apple3.org/Documents/Technotes/TA29318.html
Awesome blog! Keep the /// faith!
I did indeed, David, but thanks for providing the link and info! And thanks for all your hard work on ADTPro.