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California VERY Early IBM 5150 and keyboard for trade

Covers: California
But it's restored now...

So exactly what was done to restore this computer? Maybe if you detail the electronic repairs, replacement parts, mechanical fixes, any rust removal, paint etc. Then people on this forum can see why you are asking what you are...

I mean I have restored a fair number of systems and documented the process on a few of them on this board including sanding, paint matching, finding replacment oem parts, upgrades in hardware, etc. So I can understand a restoration project adding value...

Based on your offer of $100 (shipping included) for the 5153 (linked in my reply above) in original box and packaging I assume you got this system for $200 to $300 max if that... so you would need people to understand what justifies the $1300 premium you are asking for which would be all the restorations you did.

mint machine they they purchased for $0

I missed this. I see in your edit you mentioned you got the machine for free. So it's a $1500 premium for restoration.
 
Sometimes you get lucky and get things for free. I know I do. Sometimes I feel generous and pass things on, but I don't think I'd let go of an early 5150 that easily. I don't blame the guy.
 
What is the serial number on the case?

What is the bios number?

Was the systemboard replaced with a later model 64K board? The switches look like a later release.

Is the floppy 1 single side or been replaced with a double side drive?

Your case and power supply seems correct for a 1st issue model.

You need more and better photo for evaluation.

framer
 
I blocked out the serial number because I saw someone else do it and it seems like a good idea. I'll let the new owner share it if they want the web paper trail of ownership.

BIOS is the first one: 5700051 and the motherboard is the 16K original one. The floppy drive is the original single-sided, non-IBM badged version.

Are you interested in the machine?
 
I would be interested in it, but It's out of my price range right now. I'm trying to document these early systems, I'm tracking them by serial no. First that looks like a brown PSU. Last one I have with that is 0127982, it has 2nd bios and upgraded 320K drives. 0122227 is last with metal speaker bracket that too has 2nd bios and 160K drives. I't looks like yours is between these, as is this https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/ibm-pc-5150-rev-a-early-s-n-0101876.1237849/#post-1266758 This (0122448) has 1st edition bios, motherboard psu connectors that are brown/white As yours are white, it would indicate yours was after this.

As you can see it's not easy, what with the upgrades etc. Would it be possible to get your serial no? I don't have many data points. Is there anything you have replaced? I would also be interested if it has the original FDD controller (with big metal chip). I have an 8MHz AT, that's also got the Terminal emulation stuff (sans 122 keyboard). But It's not even close to a fair trade. It's a bit beat up really and certainly not concours.
 
The serial number is 01250xx. I didn't notice that the connectors were a different color, but I did see that the speaker holder was plastic instead of metal.

The FDD does have the big metal chip - I believe it is a clock, but it looks like a bubble-RAM chip :). The CGA card is also the first version with the composite ground output being connected to chassis instead of digital ground... Ask me why I know...

I should have taken more pictures, but sometime else interesting is the packaging for the machine is not the usual dried out/yellowed foam. It is a sort of plastic-covered molded foam. Maybe this method was too expensive so they switched to the cheaper stuff.
 
This is an original IBM PC. How do I know?

1. The power supply is black. First ones did have the original black power supply.
2. There is no "(B)" on the back. The second loop of 5150 had the "(B)", the first one doesn't.
3. The first batch of IBM floppies went out without the badging (a star).

As for the price, I have no idea where you got $1,500. The fact that this is an original IBM PC helps, but I don't think it'll go anywhere near that high. I would speculate that the cost is around $500-$600, all things considered.

Good luck.

Sellam
 
This is an original IBM PC. How do I know?

1. The power supply is black. First ones did have the original black power supply.
2. There is no "(B)" on the back. The second loop of 5150 had the "(B)", the first one doesn't.
3. The first batch of IBM floppies went out without the badging (a star).
This is all correct.

As for the price, I have no idea where you got $1,500. The fact that this is an original IBM PC helps, but I don't think it'll go anywhere near that high. I would speculate that the cost is around $500-$600, all things considered.
Are you offering $600?
 
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