Troubleshooting an IBM 5155 - (portable personal computer)

From: Kelly Leavitt <CCTalk_at_catcorner.org>
Date: Fri Jan 14 20:48:37 2005

OK, for a little on topic. Before I go tearing the whole machine apart.....

I am the proud new owner of a nice example of the IBM 5155. This thing is in
pretty good shape. Turned it on, A: did a quick seek and the I was into
BASIC. So far, so good. Now, I'm trying to boot DOS. I have several known
good DOS 3.1 boot floppies on 360K disks. I keep an old 486 with a 360K
drive just for this (and for creating disks for my Tandy model 4).

Anyway, the original A: drive only gives a "boot failure". The B: drive
(after a cable swap) boots sometimes. Taking out these drives looks to be a
MAJOR undertaking. Not along the lines of multiple years, but they are
pretty securly installed. However, I'd like to keep them because they have
the IBM faceplate.

 Now, for the questions...

Are these Qume drives subject to any known failure? Should I just dig in,
remove these drives and give them a good cleaning and lubricating? I'm used
to working with the big 8" drives, where everything is a bit larger. What is
the best way to clean the heads? Lint free swab and 90% Isopropyl alchohol?
Cleaning disk? Nail file ;-) What's the consensus?

Any suggestions or comments in general about this machine?

Thanks,
Kelly
Received on Fri Jan 14 2005 - 20:48:37 GMT