From oajones@bright.net Sat Sep 19 20:24:14 1998
From: oajones@bright.net
To: test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org
Subject: Help: IBM 5170
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 20:24:14 +0000
Message-ID: <3604593E.55C1@bright.net>
In-Reply-To: <m0zKWvk-000IyMC@p850ug1>
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Tony Duell wrote:
> 
> >
> > Recently I bought 2 IBM 5170's (PC/AT) for 6 bucks. I bought these
> > machines to add to my collection. Both of them say this when I boot up:
> > "162 - System Options Not Set - (Run SETUP)"
> 
> That normally means that something has changed since the CMOS RAM was
> configured.
> 
> > Both of them have a 512k System board. One only shows 256K of memory
> > during memory test and the other one shows 512K but has a parity error.
> 
> Which version of the system board do you have? The older one has 36 RAM
> chips, each one being a 128K*1 device (actually made from 2 DIPs soldered
> together). The later one has 18 256K*1 bit devices on it. I have
> schematics, etc for both boards.
> 
> The partiy error sounds like a RAM chip failing. Try reseating them, and
> if it's the later version, try replacing the RAMs one at a time with
> known-good ones. 256K*1 DRAMs are pretty easy to get, and the ones on the
> system board are socketed.
> 
> > Is there any dip switches on the motherboard, and is SETUP a software
> 
> There are 2 switch-things on the system board (unless you count the
> little 8-pin DIP postion behind the expansion slots that can be used to
> fiddle with the ROM addressing).
> 
> One is a slide switch next to the power connector. In one position the
> board is set up for an MDA display. The other way for a CGA one. I can't
> remember which is which, but if you get it wrong, all that happens is
> that it fails the POST and beeps. Flip the switch and try again.
> 
> The other is a jumper (J18) to the left of the speaker connector at the
> front). This selects between 256K and 512K for RAM on the system board.
> Check this is set the same way on both your boards.
> 
> > program?
> 
> Yes, SETUP is the program used to load the parameters into the CMOS RAM.
> Unlike most modern PCs, this is not in ROM, but has to be loaded from
> disk. There's a free clone (with source, I think) on Simtel somewhere. If
> the parameters have got scrambled, then about the only thing it can boot
> from is a 5.25" drive as A:
> 
> -tony

Thanks for the very helpful information Tony. I would like a copy of
the  shematic if you can swing it!

--Alan

-- 
Computing since: 1982, VIC-20, CoCo,  PC, CP/M
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