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IBM 5170  -  Some IBM Expansion Cards and Options

IBM Serial/Parallel Adapter
IBM 128KB Memory Expansion Option
IBM 512KB Memory Expansion Option
IBM 128KB/640KB Memory Expansion Option
IBM 512KB/2MB Memory Expansion Option
IBM 0.5MB to 3MB Memory Expansion Adapter
IBM 0.5MB to 6MB Memory Expansion Option
IBM 2MB Expanded Memory Adapter
IBM Enhanced Memory Expansion Adapter
IBM Fixed Disk and Diskette Drive Adapter   (first generation)
IBM Fixed Disk and Diskette Drive Adapter   (second generation)
IBM Monochrome Display and Printer Adapter (MDA)
IBM Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter (CGA)
IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)
IBM Professional Graphics Controller (PGC)
IBM PS/2 Display Adapter (IBM Display Adapter)
IBM Personal Computer Internal Modem 1200
IBM Floor Standing Enclosure
IBM PC Music Feature



IBM Serial/Parallel Adapter

Combined serial port (of type RS232) and parallel port on one card.
Up to two of these cards (configured appropriately) may be fitted in the 5170.

The printer port is what later became referred to as a 'standard parallel port' (SPP) - see here.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.
There is an error in that documentation in regard to the setting of jumper J2 - parallel port address/interrupt.
That error is on document page 20, where "Port 1" has been labelled as "Port 2", and vice-versa.
Accordingly, the first one of these cards in your 5170 should be configured per the photo below (Serial port 1 / Parallel port 1).

A serial port configuration of 'Port 1' corresponds to: I/O base address (port) of 3F8, and interrupt 4.
A serial port configuration of 'Port 2' corresponds to: I/O base address (port) of 2F8, and interrupt 3.

A parallel port configuration of 'Port 1' corresponds to: I/O base address (port) of 378, and interrupt 7.
A parallel port configuration of 'Port 2' corresponds to: I/O base address (port) of 278, and interrupt 5.


5170_serial_parallel_adapter_s.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM 128KB Memory Expansion Option

Optionally supplied in the early model 5170s.

Provides 128 KB of conventional memory from address 512 KB to 640 KB, via one bank of 128 KB.

Click here to see the layout of chips in the bank.

RAM chips of type 4164 are used, of an access time rating of 150 ns (or faster), and of the type where pin 1 is not used (Not Connected).  4164 examples.

Only one card may be fitted in the 5170, and only fitted if there is no other card providing RAM between addresses 512 KB to 640 KB.
Click here to see some general information about RAM addressing in the 5170.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.

As can be seen in the photo, this card has "PARITY MEM.CO.  128 K" printed on it.
The "CO" was, without doubt, meant to be "CD" (a shortened version of "card").


5170_memory_board_128K_s.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM 512KB Memory Expansion Option

Optionally supplied in the early model 5170s.

Provides 512 KB of extended memory, via two banks of 256 KB.

Click here to see the layout of the two banks on the card.

RAM chips of type 41128 are used, of an access time rating of 150 ns (or faster).  41128 examples.

Note that, on this card, removing a bank's RAM chips does not disable the bank - the card still drives voltage onto the data bus if the bank is addressed for a read.

The starting address of the RAM is controlled by the switches.
Click here to see some general information about RAM addressing in the 5170.
When configuring this card, make sure that there are no address conflicts with other RAM cards (RAM on this card does not 'overlap'with RAM on a different card).

IBM's technical document for the card has some switch settings.  Click here to see additional settings.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.

As can be seen in the photo, this card has "PARITY MEM.CD.  512 KB" printed on it.


5170_memory_board_512K_s.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM 128KB/640KB Memory Expansion Option

Optionally supplied in the later model 5170s.

Provides:
• Bank 0 = 512 KB of extended memory, the starting address of which can be changed via some of the switches
• Bank 1 = 128 KB of conventional memory at the fixed address space of 512 KB to 640 KB

Click here to see the layout of the two banks on the card.

IBM has designed this card so that either, both banks can be used, or just one of them.
IBM did that by including two switches that are used to disable/enable each bank.
Note that on this card, simply removing an enabled bank's RAM chips does not disable the bank - the card still drives voltage onto the data bus if the bank is addressed for a read.
Use the switches to disable/enable the banks.

Click here to see some general information about RAM addressing in the 5170.
When configuring this card, make sure that there are no address conflicts with other RAM cards (RAM on this card does not 'overlap'with RAM on a different card).

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.  Note that the 'Memory Module Location' diagram is wrong (use this diagram instead).

IBM's technical document includes a section on the setting of the eight switches, but in regard to switches 1 to 5 (starting address of the 512 KB bank), it does not show examples.
Click here to see examples.

In the particular unit pictured below, the bank 0 RAM sockets are not populated (with card's bank enable/disable switches set accordingly), and thus this unit is only providing the 128 KB component of RAM.


5170_memory_board_128K_640K_s.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM 512KB/2MB Memory Expansion Option

Optionally supplied in the later model 5170s.

Provides 2 MB of extended memory, via four banks of 512 KB.

Click here to see the layout of the four banks on the card.

RAM chips of type 41256 are used, of an access time rating of 150 ns (or faster).  41256 examples.

Note that, on this card, removing a bank's RAM chips does not disable the bank - the card still drives voltage onto the data bus if the bank is addressed for a read.

Click here to see some general information about RAM addressing in the 5170.
When configuring this card, make sure that there are no address conflicts with other RAM cards (RAM on this card does not 'overlap'with RAM on a different card).

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.

IBM's technical document does not give examples of the setting of switches 1 to 5 (starting address of the card).
Click here to see the examples.


5170_memory_board_512K_2048K_s.jpg



IBM 0.5MB to 3MB Memory Expansion Adapter  (MEA)

Released about August 1986.

Provides up to 3 MB, via twelve 256 KB sized SIMMs, of extended memory.
Some of the RAM fitted to the card can be used to 'top up' conventional memory.

Warning:  The IBM specified SIMM (IBM part number 55X3547) may be IBM proprietary RAM, not 'industry standard' RAM.

Includes a parallel port and a serial port.

A magazine article describing the card is at here.

Click here to see IBM's 'Hardware Maintenance and Service' document for the card.  Included within is switch and jumper settings information.
Click here for an image of the accompanying diagnostics floppy.


Alias

The IBM PC Family Service Information manual names the card as '0.5MB to 3MB Memory Expansion Option' (option instead of adapter).  See here.



IBM 0.5MB to 6MB Memory Expansion Option

'0.5MB to 6MB Memory Expansion Option' appears in the IBM PC Family Service Information manual.  See here.

This card may be the Memory Expansion Adapter (see above) that has been enhanced to support 512 KB sized SIMMs.



IBM 2MB Expanded Memory Adapter

This card provides 2 MB of XMA memory.  XMA is IBM's version of expanded memory - see the 'Expanded Memory Adapter (XMA)' section of here.

According to the document at here, the IBM 2MB Expanded Memory Adapter can be used in the IBM 5170.

Click here to see IBM's option instructions for the card.



IBM Enhanced Memory Expansion Adapter

Released about September 1987.

For the IBM 5170 and IBM 5162  ("for IBM Personal computer AT and the IBM Personal computer XT Model 286")

This card may be the Memory Expansion Adapter/Option (see above) that has been enhanced to support 1 MB sized SIMMs.

Provides up to 12 MB, via twelve 1 MB sized SIMMs, of extended memory.  Optionally, 256 KB and 512 KB SIMMs can be used instead, but per IBM's documentation, there are specific requirements/restrictions.

Warning:  Uses IBM proprietary RAM, not 'industry standard' RAM - see here.

Some of the RAM fitted to the card can be used to 'top up' conventional memory.

Includes a parallel port and a serial port.

Click here to see IBM's 'Guide to Operations' document for the card.  Included within is switch and jumper settings information.
Click here to see IBM's 'Technical Reference' document for the card.
Click here to see IBM's specification sheet for the card.
Click here to see IBM's presentation guide for the card.
Click here to see IBM's presentation foils for the card.

A magazine article describing the card is at here.

Some photos from an eBay item are at here, showing what was supplied with the card.


ibm_emea_5.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM Fixed Disk and Diskette Drive Adapter   (first generation)

Combined controller for hard drives (fixed disks) and floppy drives.  In some places, IBM informally refers to this card as the 'combo card'.

The hard drive controller portion is is 'MFM' type.

This is the first generation of the controller - supplied in the early model 5170s.
Made for IBM by Western Digital.

Some information sources incorrectly state that the card is a Western Digital WD1002-WA2.  The WD1002-WA2 is a different card.  Even the chip count is different.

It is normal for some of the 40-pin chips to get very hot, hot enough for you to think that there is something wrong.

If this card stops your IBM 5170 from powering on, then suspect capacitor C45 or C46  (there being some history of one going short-circuit, overloading the power supply).

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.
Click here for cabling information.
Click here for jumper information.
Click here for information about low-level formatting.


5170_hard_floppy_controller_first_revision_s.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM Fixed Disk and Diskette Drive Adapter   (second generation)

Combined controller for hard drives (fixed disks) and floppy drives.  In some places, IBM informally refers to this card as the 'combo card'.

The hard drive controller portion is 'MFM' type.

This is the second generation of the controller - supplied in the later model 5170s (and incidentally, the IBM 5162).
Made for IBM by Western Digital.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.
Note that that document covers both the first and second generation controllers (2 sets of circuit diagrams).

Click here for cabling information.
Click here for jumper information.
Click here for information about low-level formatting.


5170_hard_floppy_controller_second_revision_s.jpg Click on photo for larger view




IBM Monochrome Display and Printer Adapter (MDA)

This card is designed to connect to IBM's 5151 monitor (MDA).

Connecting this card to a monitor that is not designed to accept MDA video/sync signals may damage the monitor.
The IBM 5153 monitor (CGA) and IBM 5154 monitor (EGA) are in that category (not designed for MDA signals).

The included printer port is hardwired to I/O base address 3BC, and interrupt 7.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.
Click here to see an early version of the card.
John Elliott's information is at here.

When this card is newly fitted to a 5170 (as the only video card), two things need to be changed:
  1.  Motherboard switch SW1 set to the rear position.
  2.  SETUP modified to reflect the monochrome video card.


ibm_mda.jpg



IBM Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter (CGA)

This card is designed to connect to IBM's 5153 monitor (CGA), via the 9-pin D connector..
Alternatively, a composite monitor (of type NTSC) can be connected to this card via the RCA jack.

Connecting this card to a monitor that is not designed to accept CGA video/sync signals may damage the monitor.
The IBM 5151 monitor (MDA) is in that category (not designed for CGA signals).

The IBM 5154 monitor (CGA and EGA) will accept the CGA video/sync signals from this card.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.
Click here to see an early version of the card.
John Elliott's information is at here.

When this card is newly fitted to a 5170 (as the only video card), two things need to be changed:
  1.  Motherboard switch SW1 set to the front position.
  2.  SETUP modified to reflect the CGA video card.

If this card stops your computer from powering on, then suspect capacitor C8  (there being some history of it going short-circuit, overloading the power supply).


ibm_cga.jpg



IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)

This card is primarily designed to connect to IBM's 5154 monitor (CGA and EGA).

If reconfigured via the red switch block, the card is capable of use (at reduced functionality) with the IBM 5151 monitor (MDA) or the IBM 5153 monitor (CGA).

Unlike on the IBM CGA card, the RCA connectors, J1 and J2, do not contain video for a composite monitor.  Instead, J1 and J2 are part of the card's feature connector functionality (J4).

In the photo below, the optional Graphics Memory Expansion Card (plugs into J5) that provides additional video RAM, is not shown.  Without that add-on memory board, the EGA card has only 64 KB of video RAM, and that may result in some programs not displaying as intended (detailed here).  And CheckIt software has a problem with that as well (detailed here).

In the photo below, the switch positions shown on the red switch block suit an EGA monitor.

During the computer's Power-On Self Test (POST), the IBM EGA card will perform its own self test (a crude/basic one).  If the card finds a problem with itself (including video RAM), the card will cause the speaker to beep one of two possible error patterns: 1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps, or 1 long beep followed by 3 short beeps.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.


ibm_ega.jpg



IBM Professional Graphics Controller (PGC)

From the IBM Systems Journal: "The IBM Professional Graphics Controller and Display were developed to meet the needs of engineers and scientists for an improved graphics capability in the Personal Computer environment. These units provide graphics systems with improved function, resolution, and color range, and at the same time they allow existing productivity software to be executed in an emulation mode."

This card is designed to connect to IBM's 5175 monitor.

IBM's announcement letter for this card is here.  That indicates suitability for the IBM 5155, IBM 5160, IBM 5161, and IBM 5170.  The IBM 5162 postdates this card, and may be suitable.

The card has two modes of operation, controlled by jumper W1:
* If the card is set for CGA emulation mode, the card behaves as a CGA card, and therefore, the 5170's motherboard display/video switch SW1 set to the front position (and SETUP adjusted).
* If the card is set for native mode, the card is a secondary video card (the second video card on the motherboard).

John Elliott's information is at here.

Click here to see IBM's technical document for the card.


IBM Professional Graphics Controller.jpg



IBM PS/2 Display Adapter  (IBM Display Adapter)

"Functional equivalence with the Video Graphics Array (VGA) in IBM PS/2 Models 50, 60 and 80."

IBM's announcement letter for this card is here.

CheckIt diagnostic software may report false errors during its 'video RAM' test of this card.  From memory, this is only when a monochrome VGA display is attached.


IBM PS2 Display Adapter.jpg



IBM Personal Computer Internal Modem 1200

Jumper Positions

Command Set - Quick Reference         (source: clh333 at the VCFF)



IBM Floor Standing Enclosure

This is referred to in IBM's Announcement Letter for the 5170.

It appears on page 7-32 of the MAR84 edition of the Hardware Maintenance and Service manual for the IBM 5170.


5170_floor_standing_enclosure.jpg More photos at here.


(photo source: Framer at the VCFF)




IBM PC Music Feature

Compatibility  
Installation Instructions  
Technical Reference (source: jens.hafner at the VCFF)
   
Additional information - 1 (source: jens.hafner at the VCFF)
Additional information - 2  


IBM PC Music Feature.jpg Click on photo for larger view