IBM PS/2 VGA Display Adapter

[Brian Todd]

There is a PS/2 Display Adaptor for sale in the Netherlands, which the seller claims is VGA. Can anyone tell me whether this card is "plug and play" compatible with my Model 30 (8530) and whether is is true VGA. Just out of curiousity, what would a reasonable price be for this card?

 

[modem7]

There is a PS/2 Display Adaptor for sale in the Netherlands ..

Matches the photo of the IBM PS/2 Display Adapter shown at [here].

... my Model 30 (8530) ...

According to the book 'Upgrading and Repairing PCs':
Model 30 = 8530-002 and 8530-021, fitted with MCGA.
Model 30 286 = 8530-E01 and 8530-E21, fitted with VGA.

Given your 'upgrade to VGA' query, we know that you have an 8530-002 or 8530-021.

Can anyone tell me whether this card is "plug and play" compatible with my Model 30 (8530) and whether is is true VGA.

IBM's announcement letter for this card is at [here]. Included within it is, "It brings to the IBM Personal Computer, IBM Personal Computer XT (TM), IBM Personal Computer XT (TM) Model 286, IBM Personal Computer AT (R), and IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 the same level of function as the integrated display adapter provides for the IBM Personal System/2 Models 50, 60 and 80."

This is VGA as IBM released it. What can be considered 'standard' VGA. See [here].

 

[Brian Todd]

Matches the photo of the IBM PS/2 Display Adapter shown at [here].


According to the book 'Upgrading and Repairing PCs':
Model 30 = 8530-002 and 8530-021, fitted with MCGA.
Model 30 286 = 8530-E01 and 8530-E21, fitted with VGA.

Given your 'upgrade to VGA' query, we know that you have an 8530-002 or 8530-021.


IBM's announcement letter for this card is at [here]. Included within it is, "It brings to the IBM Personal Computer, IBM Personal Computer XT (TM), IBM Personal Computer XT (TM) Model 286, IBM Personal Computer AT (R), and IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 the same level of function as the integrated display adapter provides for the IBM Personal System/2 Models 50, 60 and 80."

This is VGA as IBM released it. What can be considered 'standard' VGA. See [here].

Thanks Modem 7 .... I forgot to mention that I had looked at the card on your site, and it does seem the same. I do have an 8530-002 fitted with MCGA so this card would indeed be an upgrade as indicated by IBM in their announcement letter. What I am not sure about is whether the card needs any configuration after installation (outside of the correct Windows 3.0 drivers of course) .. I know this is maybe a stupid question, but I am more from the "plug and play" era.

Also, would it actually make sense given the fact that I use the IBM PS/2 monochrome display with this unit?

 

[jafir]

Also, would it actually make sense given the fact that I use the IBM PS/2 monochrome display with this unit?

Years ago I had a PS/2 model 50 (or was it a 50z? I don’t remember) that came from a local business. Because it was “business” it had a monochrome CRT. I recall playing Wolfenstein3D on it. I’m not sure that would have been possible on MCGA. Of course I don’t think it would be possible without at least a 286 too, so who knows how much benefit you’ll get from VGA.

 

[Eudimorphodon]

I’m pretty sure Model 30s automatically disable their onboard video if you plug in a VGA card, so there’s very little you’ll need to do other than change drivers in your software.

 

[Eudimorphodon]

Also, would it actually make sense given the fact that I use the IBM PS/2 monochrome display with this unit?

Having VGA will let you run the 640x480 high-res mode in 16 grays instead of monochrome… which is a double-edged sword because since the mode uses four times the video memory screen refresh has the potential to be slower. With that in mind I’d say the big plus is having the VGA card enables you to run EGA software, including the many games that use the 320x200x16 mode. Granted a lot of that software will be a little sluggish on an 8086, but, eh, I have a VGA card in an even slower machine and there’s fun to be had.

FWIW, I don’t think you have to use the IBM card; there are a lot of 8-bit compatible VGA cards out there and I don’t think the Model 30 has any special incompatibilities that prevent you from using them. An Oak OTI or something is likely to be cheaper and can be had with 512k or more of memory for higher resolutions or more colors/grays.

 

[Brian Todd]

Having VGA will let you run the 640x480 high-res mode in 16 grays instead of monochrome… which is a double-edged sword because since the mode uses four times the video memory screen refresh has the potential to be slower. With that in mind I’d say the big plus is having the VGA card enables you to run EGA software, including the many games that use the 320x200x16 mode. Granted a lot of that software will be a little sluggish on an 8086, but, eh, I have a VGA card in an even slower machine and there’s fun to be had.

FWIW, I don’t think you have to use the IBM card; there are a lot of 8-bit compatible VGA cards out there and I don’t think the Model 30 has any special incompatibilities that prevent you from using them. An Oak OTI or something is likely to be cheaper and can be had with 512k or more of memory for higher resolutions or more colors/grays.

Thanks for all the advice guys .. I went ahead and purchased an Oak EGA/VGA card ... it should arrive Tuesday so interested to see how it works!