Questions tagged [ibm-pc]
For questions about the early IBM PC, clones and compatible systems.
171
questions
3
votes
1answer
770 views
Installing hdd on PhoenixBIOS A486 on Gateway 2000 4DX-33
I'm fixing up a Gateway 2000 4DX-33 which came with a Fujitsu hard drive. The CMOS battery was dead after over 20 years without use, and needed to be replaced. This meant that all BIOS settings were ...
3
votes
1answer
176 views
Did the IBM Game Control Adapter have I/O port aliases?
I was taking a look at the logic diagram in the manual for the original IBM game port adapter card:
In the upper-left corner of the schematic, there is the circuitry responsible for decoding the I/O ...
3
votes
1answer
182 views
PC Task performance
What sort of performance I can expect from PC Task 4.4 on Amiga 500 + 030 50MHz MMU, 64MB RAM? Would it be possible to run Windows 3.11 / 95 and have any real use from it?
3
votes
2answers
275 views
IBM PS/2 Model 53 Not Powering On
I bought a PS/2 with the intent of robbing it's case for a restomod project, but since that is on the backburner right now I decided to see if it would work. When I flip the power switch, the PSU ...
3
votes
1answer
364 views
What were the most common applications of the 8087?
The original IBM PC had a slot for the 8087 floating-point coprocessor. This was a somewhat esoteric feature at the time – previous microcomputers had done all their floating-point in software – but ...
3
votes
1answer
217 views
Best way to swap IBM PC case badge?
A while back, I purchased an original IBM PC (5150). The seller had an improper top case or badge on it, as the badge actually said it was an XT (5160) instead. After confirming that it is indeed a ...
3
votes
0answers
130 views
Is there any way to obtain the abandonware 1994 original release of Klik & Play in non-English, non-“For Schools” versions?
In the mid-1990s, I purchased a Swedish boxed copy of v1.0 (I believe) of Klik & Play in a computer store. Since that, the floppies have died and I stupidly even threw away the entire big box and ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
What we commonly call PCs are in fact ATs, correct?
I remember all those video game boxes stamped with IBM PC (and compatible), while bringing good memories I felt this was rather incorrect.
Most of these games would never run on such computers, i.e. ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Why does changing a DOS/Windows EXE cause it to not run? [closed]
If I hex-edit an EXE for DOS or Windows, by adding or removing some text for example, it will no longer run.
If I just change a single char around to a different one, it may run.
Is this some anti-...
2
votes
2answers
304 views
What was the DRAM refresh interval on early microcomputers?
Dynamic RAM is denser than static RAM, but needs to be refreshed every few milliseconds to avoid losing data. How many milliseconds, exactly? If the answer has changed over time, then I'm interested ...
2
votes
2answers
302 views
First 386 PC on sale in the UK
In the early days of personal computers, there was something of a delay in the technology crossing the Atlantic, and when American computers did arrive in the UK, they tended to be expensive relative ...
2
votes
2answers
163 views
ISA Extension cards using more than 64kB
Related to my previous question around VGA framebuffer being limited to 64kB I started to wonder if there was any extension cards (or similar) using more than 64kB of address space in linear fashion, ...
2
votes
1answer
207 views
Where can I donate Old Mags and Media in bulk in UK?
I am taking advantage of lockdown(s) and scanning/imaging all old media to archive.org, but would like to donate the boxes when finished.
A bit like Donating old Computer Shopper Magazines
The Centre ...
2
votes
1answer
324 views
Power switch color on IBM PS/2 red vs white?
Why do some IBM PS/2's have a red switch, while others have a white switch?
Does the red or white power switch on the power supply signify something about the model number, CPU, or options that the ...
2
votes
1answer
195 views
Thinkpad 350 keyboard
Am wondering how to use the keyboard from a Thinkpad 350.
There are three cables, with 6, 10, and 18 pins (but the big connector on the motherboard seems to have only 17).
I assume this is a grid of ...
1
vote
2answers
302 views
Performing 16-bit port I/O on the RTC
Why can’t the RTC (0x70, 0x71) read and write 16 bits at a time? For example:
mov ax, 0xa8f
out 0x70, ax
I have found in a 286 BIOS that did this (BIOS ID string: S286-6181-...
1
vote
2answers
234 views
Does the Sound Blaster Live! Value had hardware support for Adlib/OPL3?
As I m buying a computer without an onboard sound card, I m thinking about using my old Creative Sound card from 21 years ago and buying a pcie riser adapter instead of a modern sound card (I m ...
1
vote
1answer
153 views
Memory timings for a 430VX mainboard
I'm trying to troubleshoot a memory-detection problem on an old Pentium MMX system with a 430VX chipset. I've got the following memory timing options in the BIOS:
DRAM Precharge Wait State: 0, 1
...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Part number / model for IBM PC 350 keyboard
what was the part number or model of the original keyboard shipped with IBM PC 350?
Trying to restore the full set.
0
votes
2answers
214 views
IBM PC 5150 motherboard labelling
The motherboard of the IBM PC 5150 has labels of letters followed by numbers. What are the letters representing? Examples being U1, P1, C1, T1 and Y1.
I am trying to ascertain which component is the ...
0
votes
0answers
112 views
Portable 386 that only ever beeps continuously; no video
I've acquired a late-80s portable 386 with builtin LCD in unknown working state. It only ever beeps continuously on boot, with no picture on either the built-in LCD or an external VGA-connected ...
