Searching for the System/23 5247 hard disk drive service manuals

[RetroAND]

Hello,

A couple of owners with which I have established contact have this device, but it is faulty. Does anybody have the service manuals of this device, so we can have enough data and start the repairs, please?

Thank you in advance!

 

[N. Brown]

Cool someone has finally requested the service manuals for the System/23 external Networkable Hard drive. The 5247 unit.
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In the past I have tried messages some other systems users who pictures of manuals looked like that they might have the manuals. But did not have any luck with that.
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Since you have established a contact that actually have this external unit then maybe you can get them to post some complete pictures on their units, including the full model ID tag.
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Other than the 5247 setup manual you won't find very much for it online as nobody seemed to archive a copy of it as of yet.
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Being really an early network Hard drive unit, this unit is somewhat complex for its time.
Yes, it does have its own expansion slots, on board microprocessor and memory (firmware and RAM). This unit uses a proprietary I/F hard disk.
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Update 02/23/2025 @ 5:40 P.M. Attached a B&W Drawing of the SIA Card with pinout for cable only

 

[N. Brown]

A service/technical manual for the IBM 5247 External Hard disk Unit might end up being a total recreation job unless some one reading these messages uploads the service manual for this unit.
Sorry the dual port SIA card information is not in a publicly accessible archive, so it will not likely get posted.
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A good place to start would be to recreate this card, and get some good hi res internal pictures of the 5247 drive posted as this unit will take some work to recreate.
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With two SIA cards and a couple of systems you can at least test the card outs to make sure that they are functioning with the Sys/23 Networking software.
(In the message above this one, I have hinted about some of this drives internals in a simply form).
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Checking the function of a 5247 drive is a lot easier if you have a fully working SIA card and the drives diagnostic software, there are other ways to do this but this would require other hardware.
Old School way - Like a IBM system 36 model 5362 with a 21ED XX controller and the diagnostic software for the drive. The Hard Disk Controller boards in the 5247 Drive can be tested and replaced but I will leave that complex function omitted for now.
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The IBM 21ED xxx series hard drives where once sold through IBM OEM sales with other interfaces and adapters at one time, but good luck trying to fine any working units today is not likely.
IPI, DISKBUS, SCSI, OEM I/F where once supported. Please don't ask about firms servicing this drive today, yes some firms can still service the drives PCB's and motors, but replacement disk platers and heads are another issue. The current cost is a ridiculous amount that they will ask for, anyways.
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Hopefully this reply gets the ball rolling on a replacement to the service manual and a replacement to the 5247 drive unit as well.