> Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 00:44:43 -0600
> Reply-to: classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu
> From: Bill Bradford <mrbill_at_mrbill.net>
> To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: IBM P70-386 portable machines
> X-To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
> On Mon, Nov 29, 1999 at 12:05:12AM -0600, Bill Bradford wrote:
> > I took out my pair of these tonight to see what level of functionality
> > they're in. One of them gives a "dead HD" error on bootup (see
> > http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/6370/errores.html) which was
> > confirmed by downloading the boot/diagnostics disk and firing it up with
> > that (see http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/6370/models.html for
> > disks, if you've got a PS/2 that needs them). Turns out one of these also
> > has the 300/1200/2400 modem and the PS/2 (MCA-bus, woah, in a portable!)
> > SCSI card w/cache (its got two SIMM sticking on it, even).
> > Right now I cant figure out how to get the HD out of the machine so I
> > can swap it with the one from the other box (or possibly replace it
> > with another IBM drive, these look to be the proprietaary PS/2 card-edge-
> > connector HDs).
>
> Well, I got the HD out of the first machine (WD-160S ESDI 160mb), and replaced
> it with the HD out of the second machine (120mb ESDI). Turned the machine on,
> got keyboard light, power light, then the box turned itself off and wont
> come back on. I also yanked the modem and SCSI cards when I was working on
> the HD - would this be likely to cause a "self shutdown"? I've seen similar
> in MCA-bus RS/6000 boxes when cards werent seated correctly, etc.
>
Hi Bill!
Pull power cable, pop the back off again, recheck all connections and
remove any that looks like shorting to something supposed not to be
and try again with power with cover off. Press all socketed chips
also the power connections. Check your FD stuff that none are
shorting together or connected wrong. I remember that DBA HD (it's
correct IBMism term) edge connector is not keyed, therefore can go on
both ways. Leave it off and power up and see?
I just picked up 3 P70's 120mb model, all same, I'm going to strip
two and keep one and other parts as my use, any left over to sell for
modest $, let me know what you need.
There were LOTs of ECA's on these poor but wonderful P70s.
Look up at computercraft.com for details.
Most of the hefty mass are in PSU, HD and display, no kidding.
Carcass case with back attached weighs like 5lbs. And a pain to take
apart especially when those techs had to do the ECA corrections.
Question: Who pays the piper when doing the ECAs work; IBM or
customer?
There were two types of P70 motherboards. One had 386 in line with
MCA slot riser on right side of CPU. The other type has '386 below
the MCA slot riser. Care to tell a bit more about these differences?
Ditto with those video boards types.
I'm planning to build a FD cable adapter to use peecee FDs plugs
into 40pin via adapter on my also recently aquired mod 70-Axx. Have
both pinouts for this. Will report on this one.
Wizard
PS: -Axx models on 80 and model 70 are really few
even rarer to see a offical Type III mb with 486 daughterboard in 70.
I only saw one 70-Axx once and I have it finally! Others models are
common as beans even truckloads of 30 and, 50 (few 50Zs) 55sx (yuk,
but cute boxens!). I love them and I had good memories with them.
Had used on them during high school days, around 88-93, when I left
for college. That high school had ICONs, only way to get any good
response during heavy load is pecking the action key, was still in
use in library when last left for college. I never
thought much of digital stuff till given account user on Vaxens at
that college. Vaxens were "good" real machines compared to
winblows and I liked notes for discussions even the fact I'm deaf.
Received on Sun Nov 28 1999 - 20:28:04 GMT