IBM Model 50
 

This belongs to an elderly lady who cannot migrate to any version of windows.

She says that when she starts it up, it goes to 162, then there are a couple of beebs, she presses F1 twice and it all starts up.

Now it goes to 163 and when you press F1 twice you get this.

Attachment 161808 Attachment 161807

Pressing F1 again gets you nowhere.

Attachment 161809 Attachment 161810

Can anyone tell me whats going on and how do I go about fixing it.

Re: IBM Model 50
 

I think what has happened is that the battery that supplies the CMOS RAM containing the configuration information (what disk drives it has, etc) has gone flat. Or at least that configuration data is lost. As a result, it can't find the hard disk to boot from and is going into ROM BASIC (genuine IBM PC family machines, starting with the original 5150 have Microsoft BASIC in ROM).

I seem to remember that to get it going again (after replacing the battery) you need a special IBM setup disk (it had an odd name which I've forgotten, not ever having done much with the PS/2 machines).

Re: IBM Model 50
 

162 AT systems options not set (run SETUP) << See 164
PS/2 - Systems options not set (Run Configuration)
163 AT time & date not set (run SETUP)
PCC - Real-time clock not updating
164 AT memory size error -- To correct it, run SETUP on Diagnostics Disk
PS/2 - Memory Size error (run Setup on Reference Disk)

Re: IBM Model 50
 

My guess would be that the motherboard battery has failed and the CMOS configuration is corrupt. I can't remember if these use a 3.6V NiCd or a lithium cell like a CR2032. You can do a quick bodge with a couple of AA or AAA cells in a holder.

This is a very old computer indeed to be in everyday use and a migration is long overdue. PS/2s mostly ran OS/2 which can be installed on much more modern hardware, though it's obsolete and unsupported now. A few of the cheap models ran W3.1.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_System/2

As others have said you need a setup floppy to configure the CMOS. If you don't fix the battery the issue will reappear after powering off. These machines used early IDE drives, but configuring them required you to select a disk type number or CHS values which was an absolute pain. If you're lucky the info will be on the drive label.

Re: IBM Model 50
 

Yes it looks like the battery has died.

I have a PS/2 Model 60 and they run MS-DOS 6.22 fine, no need for OS/2. They are lovely bits of kit, built like tanks. Well worth preserving.

The battery is an unusual camera-type battery which is mounted in a battery holder attached to the speaker which on the Model 50 is mounted front left. The PS/2 range was designed for tool-free maintenance with typical IBM engineering and attention to detail and it's simple to replace. No messing around with batteries soldered to the motherboard like many cheaper machines of the time.

You should then run the setup ("reference") disk which can be downloaded here-

http://www.walshcomptech.com/selectpccbbs/

Re: IBM Model 50
 

This is the required battery, they are still available, I believe, in Maplin’s.....:-[
I would certainly replace this old PS/2 as soon as possible, when the hard drive fails it will be difficult to replace. I’m amazed that the drive is still alive after so many years.

Peter

Re: IBM Model 50
 

Just jumping in here to clarify something - the 5150 PC and 5160 PC/XT do not have the configuration saved in NVRAM like later machines. That only came in with the 5170 PC/AT.

Re: IBM Model 50
 

An alternate source on the high street (that isn't in administration) is Boots: they carry them among their specialist batteries section, as they were also used for cameras in the past. See https://www.boots.com/electrical/bat...ttery-10104847 - they're not cheap, but they'll be carried in most larger Boots stores, and they tend to offer next-day delivery to your local branch free of charge.

Re: IBM Model 50
 

Michael, I have sent you a PM.

I have a genuine PS/2 "Reference Diskette" if you want to try it.

Regards,

SR