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tonyk

Member
Joined
May 15, 2023
Messages
13
Location
Wisconsin
Where to start. Okay: my name is Tony, and I've been using computers since I was a kid in the early 90s. My old grade school was filled with Apple II computers, and I first used DOS in the early 90s with games like Stunts, Doom, and Commander Keen. A few months ago, I dug up my ma's old computer: an IBM PS/1 she got around 1994. I've been working to restore it, or maybe even enhance it: I noticed there was a spare RAM slot on the motherboard when I took it apart. I've been having issues regarding the floppy drive though, so I sent an email request to LGR for some help, as I knew he was into vintage computer restoration. He sent me the link on to this place, and that how I came here.

Outside of vintage computers, I create art, I make music (currently putting the finishing touches on an album right now), and I've been gradually learning about Linux distributions. I've been learning about the open-source software out there for Linux for creative purposes, and am slowly getting a handle on them (though I'm still trying to get the hang of the audio programs). I am also currently enrolled in an IT program as I've found I have a knack for trying to repair/fix things, and computers/electronics feel like my specialty.
 
Welcome to the forum @tonyk !

PS/1s can be odd beasts, but I have always liked them. Art, music and computing seem to be common areas of interest for many tech folks. For instance, I am/was a French horn player, and many of my geek friends are artists, of some strain or other.

- Alex
 
One thing I've recently had to deal with through someone else was that the PS/1's often want 36-bit (parity) 72 pin RAM SIMMS which is often less common to find compared to regular 32-bit stuff, so if you start putting new ram in and it starts throwing memory errors that's gonna be why.
 
Welcome.

Yip Open Source software is great. Once you get the grips about how Linux function it'll plain sailing ;).

As NeXT stated parity is the key here. Early Aptivas were sold new with out ram with parity and OS/2 wouldn't install on them. IBM quietly sorted that out with an exchange program for customers who wanted OS/2 on there systems.
 
My biggest concern right now is just getting this 5.25" floppy drive to configure properly, then repeating the process with a 3.5" once I find one. I have another thread on the board that goes into slightly more detail on the subject.
 
Would we be able to get the model number of the machine? IBM usually hid a small rectangular badge somewhere with an XXXX-YYY model that helped specify exactly what machine it was beyond a "PS/1 Consultant", for example.
 
NeXT said:
Would we be able to get the model number of the machine? IBM usually hid a small rectangular badge somewhere with an XXXX-YYY model that helped specify exactly what machine it was beyond a "PS/1 Consultant", for example.
Click to expand...
Should be on the flap or front facia.
 
It's a model 2155. I'm not at home right now so I can't check any further than that. I can look that up later.
 
Think I have some ps/2 memory somewhere round here. Not sure if its any good, might be able to test it on one the generic boards I have lying about. Believe they are 8mb sticks. Maybe 2mb i forget. You can have them if they will work in your machine.

Anywho, welcome to the forum!
 
A copy of IBM's service information for that system is available here and it looks you have a little bit of room for CPU and memory expansion.
 
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