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IBM PS/2 Model 56 486SLC2

Z

Zaq

New Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
8
Location
NW Iowa
Hey guys. I have two of these computers, and they both exhibit the same problem. When I attempt to boot them, all i get on the screen is "000211CZ". After looking into it, it appears to be an error in the first 64k of memory. Is there any way to fix this? I have no clue where to even start with this problem. As I said, I do have two of these computers and only one good power supply, so making one good computer somehow would probably work too.

Thanks
 
Sounds like you have a different 72-pin SIMM than the systems need. 4 or 8Mb modules, with parity, are the ones needed. If the module is stock, perhaps to remove and reseat it.
 
Alright, I had a 4MB 80ns 72-pin ram in the computers, so I replaced it with an 8MB 70 NS ram chip from an IBM PS/Valuepoint. Now the error is gone! But now another eproblem has appeared. Whenever the computer powers up, it just suddenly turns off again. It seems to happen at any random time, from when the computers are turning on to after when they start to boot DOS. Could this be my power supply? Or are both of the motherboards of these computers shot?

Thanks :)
 
Dang. Anyone know where I can get another one of these? Or possibly fix this one? It has the weirdest plugs I have ever seen.
 

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Most often, the thing to go in a switching power supply is the larger electrolytic capacitors. Pop it open and give it a visual inspection for bulging or leaking capacitors.
 
They have security screws (I just opened my 56's PSU for a visual inspection the other night, oddly enough). They are not a commonly available head - philips, but not beveled (flat x-shape, very little depth) with a pin in the middle. Breaking the pin is not easy, I tried.

I use side cutters to lever the screws off the side of the case to get them to turn...after a turn or two, rotate with fingers.

The guts are split across two PCBs. See here.
 
The plastic wrapping, yeah (I'm guessing heat or simply age). No bulging or leaking...probably worth looking into though. It has failed to POST in the past, was never certain of if it was the mobo or PSU because the HDD spun up.

Just a reminder I am not the OP, mine runs fine currently.
 
The screw heads look like this?
sec_ph_phpms.jpg
 
The screws holding together my power supplies were security Torx screws.

Looking inside of the power supplies, there were no visibly leaking capacitors. There are black spots on the boards though.
 

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Time for bed, I think--that second photo says I had too much wine with dinner. :) The dark spots on the board generally mean that a lot of heat has been generated by a component and the component should be tested.
 
My power supplies say "Astec" on the board on the inside, so I am assuming that's what they are. You computer is a bit different than mine, too. Mine have the speaker in the front left corner, and the ram slots are in different locations.
 
I would guess then that you have a 9556 instead of an 8556? (look below power button, sticker is on the internal chassis and shows through a cut-out to the front of the computer when assembled). I've been curious to see how the hard drive mounts in the 9556 because aparently it doesn't go in the 5.25" bay...could I possibly trouble you for photos?

Yes, Astec is/was is a power supply manufacturer. AFAIK not as reputable as Delta in terms of "we make cheap power supplies for you to put in your off-the-shelf computers" companies.

(sorry to not be more help on the actual issue at hand. I would follow Chuck's advice and investigate components in the area of discolouration on the PCB)
 
If that's the PSU I think it is, then I have one somewhere around here that works just fine. PM me if you end up deciding that you need a new PSU, and I'll find it and get you some model #s.
 
Here is a pic of the insides of this computer.
 

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Thanks. Neat...I figured they did it like that. Will have to figure out the FRU numbers for the metal bracket bits (likely in one of the extensive manuals) and see if I can get my hands on some.
 
Raven said:
If that's the PSU I think it is, then I have one somewhere around here that works just fine. PM me if you end up deciding that you need a new PSU, and I'll find it and get you some model #s.
Click to expand...

The PSU is the same as for the PS/2 Model 35SX, 56 (all variants), and 76. There was a larger PSU that was used when the respective planars were put in a Model 40SX, 57 (all variants) and 77. Very proprietary, but there were power supplies with the same plugs going all the way up to the 880 watt redundant supply for the IBM Server 500, 520, and 720.
 
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