I need help with a old IBM

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:07 pm

So i got a old IBM PS/1 computer from a yard sale last Saturday. And I wasn't thinking about the fact it may not be compatible with with current VGA screen technology. I have learned it used CGA. So I'm stuck with a old IBM and now way to use it. How ever, someone told me that there was a how to of how to do CGA to TV. And one know of where I can find this how to?

nitro2k01 · Post by **nitro2k01** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:46 pm

I googled and ended up at Wikipedia. (What a coincidence, eh?)

The standard IBM CGA graphics card is equipped with 16 kilobytes of video memory, and can be connected either to a NTSC-compatible monitor or TV via an RCA jack, or to a dedicated RGBI interface CRT monitor, such as the IBM 5153 color display.

In other words, if it has a n RCA jak on the back, that's a composite out, and you can connect it to a TV. Connecting a SUB9 or SUB25 CGA/VGA connector to composite is impossible without special conversion hardware.

More Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PS/1
Even the earliest PS/1 models came with 256 kB of video RAM. That would actuakky allow for full VGA (640*480*16 colours, 320*240*256 colours) If you're lucky it can go as high as 800*600*16.
And yes, it should be compatible with modern VGA, unless it's the oldest model that has the screen and mbo in the same box.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:59 pm

Does it have ISA slots? You might be able to find an ISA VGA card on eBay.

xtrmgam3r360 · Post by **xtrmgam3r360** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:37 pm

weird, i have a ps/1 that I also bought at a rummage sale, but it works fine on any old VGA monitor.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:37 pm

xtrmgam3r360 wrote:weird, i have a ps/1 that I also bought at a rummage sale, but it works fine on any old VGA monitor.

Well I have what looks to be a VGA connector on this IBM but it missing one of the pin holes

Here a Basic illustration of what i see. This picture is not of the IBM. But should show you what pin hole is missing just the same:

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:17 pm

Ok. Figured out the VGA problem. I had to make a hole since I'm guessing that was a manufacture mistake.

But a new problem has arose. When I got this computer saturday, it powered up. But today, it won't power up. I'm guessing the power switch since it wired straight to the PSU. But I want your guys opinion.

nitro2k01 · Post by **nitro2k01** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:32 pm

nightwheel wrote:Ok. Figured out the VGA problem. I had to make a hole since I'm guessing that was a manufacture mistake.

Actually that pin is unused, and was omitted often before. I don't know when the shift was made, but one monitor I have missed pin 9. I assume the shift was made because it's cheaper to manufacture more uniform connectors. Drilling a hole shouldn't hurt though, so long you don't hurt anything inside.

nightwheel wrote:But a new problem has arose. When I got this computer saturday, it powered up. But today, it won't power up. I'm guessing the power switch since it wired straight to the PSU. But I want your guys opinion.

The 110/230V is routed out to the power button, so it's a real, "hard" power button. I don't know what could be wrong. The fuse could be blown. Also try turning the computer on without any monitor connected and see if the HD and fans start spinning.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:11 pm

nitro2k01 wrote:
nightwheel wrote:But a new problem has arose. When I got this computer saturday, it powered up. But today, it won't power up. I'm guessing the power switch since it wired straight to the PSU. But I want your guys opinion.
The 110/230V is routed out to the power button, so it's a real, "hard" power button. I don't know what could be wrong. The fuse could be blown. Also try turning the computer on without any monitor connected and see if the HD and fans start spinning.

Ok I did that last night, No go. So today I decided to check if there was any power getting in to the PSU at all. After I hit the power switch, though no fan or anything started up. I do hear a clicking sound from the PSU a second or two after I hit the power switch.

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:59 pm

Got a picture of the system? I picked up an old piece of crap IBM and using it as a proxy and VPN server.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:16 pm

Aguiluz wrote:Got a picture of the system? I picked up an old piece of crap IBM and using it as a proxy and VPN server.

Yea i do see:

If you need inside shots, let me know.

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:04 pm

Oh dear... That's older than mine.

I'll upload my pics later. Damn camera is missing.