IBM i5 model 9405

[Abmvk]

I found a model i5 on eBay, expected delivery in about ten days. So I don't know yet if it is in working condition at all, but I am doing some homework beforehand. The IBM website was helpful, but still, maybe someone knows this:

- Are these systems still maintained? Not bij IBM, but maybe some other companies do? The system is old, but not ancient, so I can imagine they still run in the wild.
- As far as I know the system comes without an admin-terminal. Do I need a specific terminal type? And are those still sold somewhere, or do I look for vintage here too?
- As I understand this system runs OS/400 and Linux. Can I expect it to allow another linux device to ssh in?
- The AS/400 had a physical key needed to IPL/boot, and if I read correctly so does the i5. But what if that is not included? Is it possible to replace the lock? Have IBM make a new key?

Thanks for any advice you have. (And for those who can imagine how happy I am after years of searching for an AS/400 that fits in my house and my budget, I am open for congratulations )

 

[hush]

1. i doubt there are many (if any) eservers still in use, but maybe here and there
2. to get a console you need a twinax brick and two balun adapters, as well as a way to get a 5250 session. you can get ISA and PCI cards that will emulate a 5250, i have an ES/PCI from nlynx (now twindata), there are also 5250 emulators from twindata but those are a bit spendy. the system console has to be on port 0
3. not sure about linux, only interested in os/400 myself
4. i'm not seeing any locks on the machine itself so that shouldn't be an issue

there's an IBM i discord but i'm not in it so don't have an invite link, someone else should have it

 

[hush]

forgot to mention, i've always been told to match balun brands but i'm not sure how important it is

 

[Abmvk]

The computer has been delivered. Obviously it doesn't work, as I don't have a terminal (yet). The front panel/cover/door is broken, but I don't think that is a very big problem. There are some parts going with it, I don't have a clue what they are, so maybe someone here knows?

 

[Abmvk]

And when I power the system up, it gives a message like this, does anyone know what this means or where I should search for the meaning of these codes? Google couldn't help me, or I ask the wrong questions

 

[phb.hfx]

The C100xxxx codes are very early in the startup the codes on the panel should keep changing. If it halts on a code then it is of concern. If it is halting on a C100xxxx code that is a big concern. If it halts on that code in your picture it may be a failed service processor card and the only place you can get a replacement is from another 520. If you find it halts with the same code all the time you might want to open it up and reseat all the cards and memory DIMMs. I would direct you to the online information for POWER5 to look up the codes, but that part of the online documentation is still broken more than 1.5 years after I last looked at it, and since POWER5 is several generations back in the power systems, I would not hold my breath waiting for it to be fixed. You could look at the reference code list for a low end POWER 6 system, many of the codes had the same meaning from generation to generation. https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power6?topic=support-reference-codes

The parts you asked about earlier are part of the carrier for the disk drives that plug into the front. That is just the back plate and the interposer that goes between the SCA connector on the drive and the connector on the disk backplane. There should another piece which is an aluminum frame that guides the drive in and has a latch on it. If there are any drive in the front of the machine you can see what I mean.

 

[Abmvk]

Thanks, that helps!

 

[jafir]

C1001F00​

Last Updated: 2021-03-05
C1001F00

Explanation​

Pre-standby: starting initial transition file

Response​

Perform isolation procedure FSPSPC1. To locate the isolation procedure go to the Isolation Procedures chapter in your host server Service Guide.

That sounds like it's still starting up, or waiting to power up maybe? I'm not sure about this particular hardware, but I do recall some Power systems of this era, like the p5 570 and larger models needed to be powered on via the HMC, because they were expecting multiple LPARs. This was on P series, not I series, but the hardware is the same for the most part.

I was able to make an HMC out of a similar xserver and it just required some nudging every time I tried to boot it because it wasn't an HMC model number. But it would manage the P5 570.

 

[phb.hfx]

Its not getting to the point of being ready to power on. When you initially plug in the power cords the FSP starts to IPL, the C100 codes are the early FSP IPL checkpoints. When the FSP is IPL and the system is ready to be powered on the operator panel will look something like this:

0 1 _ _ A _ _ M _ _ V = F _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _

If the system does not reach that point there is a problem and teh code on the display will be an indication of what that problem is.

This is a low end POWER 5 system no HMC is required very few if any low end POWER 5 systems running IBMi where HMC managed.

 

[Abmvk]

C1001F00​

Last Updated: 2021-03-05
C1001F00

Explanation​

Pre-standby: starting initial transition file

Response​

Perform isolation procedure FSPSPC1. To locate the isolation procedure go to the Isolation Procedures chapter in your host server Service Guide.

That sounds like it's still starting up, or waiting to power up maybe? I'm not sure about this particular hardware, but I do recall some Power systems of this era, like the p5 570 and larger models needed to be powered on via the HMC, because they were expecting multiple LPARs. This was on P series, not I series, but the hardware is the same for the most part.

I was able to make an HMC out of a similar xserver and it just required some nudging every time I tried to boot it because it wasn't an HMC model number. But it would manage the P5 570.

Well the system I have has nothing like a terminal or such, so that would sound as something to start with then