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IBM PC AT (5170)

Erik

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[h="3"] Overview [/h]
[wiki="File:IBM_PC_AT.JPG"]right|300px[/wiki]

The IBM AT (5170) was IBM's third entry into the PC market. The initial specifications of the machine were:
  • An 80286 CPU running at 6 MHz with 1 wait state
  • 256KB or 512KB RAM on the motherboard
  • A 16 bit bus which became known as the ISA bus
  • Seven DMA channels
  • Sixteen levels of interrupts
  • Configuration stored using a battery-backed CMOS RAM
  • Real-time clock (also battery-backed)
  • 84 key keyboard with indicator lights synchronized with the machine
  • A keylock to disable the keyboard when the operator was not present
  • A larger power supply capable of providing power to two hard drives
  • One 1.2MB high density 5.25" diskette drive
  • 20MB hard drive (supplied as standard in model 099 only)

Besides the internal improvements and new functions in present in the 80286, the 80286 also features a full 16 bit data path to the system. To take advantage of the improved data path the PC bus was extended. The original 62 pin card-edge socket for the PC bus is present in all slots, allowing many cards designed for the IBM PC 5150 to be reused. Six of the slots also feature an 36 pin card-edge socket which provides the additional data and control signals required for the enhanced bus.

Other options at launch included:
  • IBM Color Graphics Adapter or Enhanced Graphics Adapter
  • 128KB Memory Expansion Option (card providing RAM between 512KB and 640KB) (photo)
  • 512KB Memory Expansion Option (card providing extended memory) (photo)
  • Standard double density floppy drives


[h="2"] Model numbers [/h]
There are five models of the IBM AT. They can be identified by their serial number range:

Model / Serial Number Range / Details
068 / 5000000 to 5999999 / Introduced Aug 1984, type 1 motherboard, 6 MHz, 256KB RAM, BIOS dated 01/10/84
099 / 0000001 to 0999999 / Same as model 068 but with 512KB RAM, a 20MB hard drive and a Serial/Parallel Adapter
239 / 6000000 to 6999999 / Introduced Oct 1985, type 2 motherboard, 6 MHz, 512KB RAM, BIOS dated 06/10/85, 30MB hard drive, Serial/Parallel Adapter
319 / 7000000 to 7999999 / Introduced Apr 1986, type 3 motherboard, 8 MHz, 512KB RAM, BIOS dated 11/15/85, 30MB hard drive, Serial/Parallel Adapter
339 / same as model 319 / Same as model 319 but with enhanced keyboard


[h="2"] Motherboard revisions [/h]
There are three types of motherboards. IBM refer to them as type 1, type 2 and type 3. (diagram from Reference 8)

Type 1

Fitted to 5170 models 068 and 099. BIOS ROMs dated 01/10/84. 6 MHz operation. (photo)

Type 2

Fitted to 5170 model 239. The type 2 motherboard is physically smaller than the type 1 motherboard. BIOS ROMs dated 06/10/85. 6 MHz operation.

Type 3

Fitted to 5170 models 319 and 339. Physically very similar to the type 2. BIOS ROMs dated 11/15/85. 8 MHz operation. Type 3 motherboards are labeled "FRU 6489922". A possible difference compared to type 2 is that the keyboard controller chip (soldered in) may contain different code, to cater for the 101 key enhanced keyboard. (photo)


[h="2"] Math coprocessor [/h]
The math coprocessor used on the IBM 5170 motherboard is the 80287. It is optional. Only programs that are written to utilise a math coprocessor gain any benefit from the presence of a math coprocessor.

On the 5170 motherboard, the CKM pin of the 80287 is tied low, thus dividing the supplied clock frequency by three.
Therefore, the 80287 operates at:
  • Type 1 and 2 motherboards: 4 MHz (12/3)
  • Type 3 motherboards: about 5.3 MHz (16/3)

For all three types of motherboards, the 80287-6 (i.e. rated at 6 MHz) is the most appropriate rated 80287. If required, an 80287-8 (i.e. rated at 8 MHz) or an 80287-10 (i.e. rated at 10 MHz) can be used, however, compared to the 80287-6, there is no performance benefit.


[h="2"] RAM memory [/h]

On type 1 motherboards

Type 1 motherboards have 4 rows of RAM sockets. The 4 rows hold two banks of RAM, where each bank is 256KB sized, and each bank consisting of eighteen 128Kbit memory modules (16 data bits + 2 parity bits). [page 1-4 of Reference 3]

A memory module consists of two 'stacked' ('piggybacked') 64Kbit RAM chips connected in such a way such that it is logically a 128Kbit unit. The following are known replacement 'stacked' chips [Reference 4]:
  • Texas Instruments, part number ZA1250NL
  • Mostek, part number MK4128N-15
  • Hitachi, part number HM48128P-2
  • Samsung, part number KM4128U-15
  • Texas Instruments, part number TMS41128A-15NL ("A" version)
  • Texas Instruments, part number TMS41128B-15NL ("B" version)

On a type 1 motherboard, either the first bank (bank 0) is populated, or both banks (banks 0 and 1) are populated. When adjusting a type 1 motherboard between the two configurations, jumper J18 on the motherboard also needs to be adjusted (see 'Motherboard switch/jumper settings' section following).
On a type 1 motherboard, a failure of any chip in the first bank of RAM (bank 0) results in what appears to be a 'dead' motherboard. See Reference 6 for details of diagnosis.

On types 2 and 3 motherboards

Type 2 and type 3 motherboards have 2 rows of RAM sockets. The 2 rows hold one bank of RAM, with the bank being 512KB sized and consisting of eighteen 256Kbit RAM chips (16 data bits + 2 parity bits).
On these types of motherboards, a failure of any of the RAM chips results in what appears to be a 'dead' motherboard. See Reference 6 for details of diagnosis.


[h="2"] ROM memory [/h]

BIOS ROMs

Motherboard chips U27 and U47 are the BIOS ROMs, although technically speaking, besides the BIOS, they also contain the POST (Power On Self Test) and BASIC. Both BIOS ROMs are 32KB sized, of type 27256. The speed specification is 150nS or faster [page 1-11 of Reference 3].
They are 8-bit ROMs supplying 8-bit data to a 16-bit data bus. U27 supplies the lower 8 bits of the 16 bits and U47 supplies the upper 8 bits of the 16 bits. As a result, the bytes from U27 appear at even addresses, and the bytes from U47 appear at odd addresses. In the 5170 memory map, their combined output appears at addresses F0000 (960K) through to FFFFF (1024K-1).

More details of the BIOS ROMs are at Reference 5.

Optional ROMs U17/U37

Motherboard sockets U17 and U37 are empty, available to be populated by ROMs, if desired.
Like the BIOS ROMs, they are to be of type 27256 (with speed of 150nS or faster), and like the BIOS ROMs, they are 8-bit ROMs supplying 8-bit data to a 16-bit data bus. U17 supplies the lower 8 bits of the 16 bits and U37 supplies the upper 8 bits of the 16 bits. As a result, the bytes from U17 appear at even addresses, and the bytes from U37 appear at odd addresses. In the 5170 memory map, their combined output appears at addresses E0000 (896K) through to EFFFF (960K-1).
While the ROMs could contain any data, BIOS expansion ROMs can be placed in U17/U37, because a part of the POST looks for the BIOS expansion signature (AA55h) at address E0000. [page 5-65 of Reference 3]

Other ROMs

Motherboard chip U72 is also a ROM - used in the generation of RAS and CAS signals for the RAM.


[h="2"] Hard disk drives [/h]

5170 model 068

No hard drive was supplied in model 068 machines. Instead, there was a dummy load. (item 8 in diagram from Reference 8) (photo)

5170 model 099

The 20MB hard drive initially supplied in model 099 machines was made by Computer Memories Incorporated (CMI). The CMI drive was a CMI model 6426 [Reference 1]. The CMI sourced drives were very unreliable and most were replaced under warranty. The generally accepted (but not proven) theory for the failures is that CMI was a small manufacturer that was not able to handle the ramp-up in production needed to supply IBM with hard drives, and thus quality control suffered. Alternative explanations include a defect that caused a slow erasure of the servo platter [Reference 2].

The later supplied 20MB drive was a Seagate ST-4026. Both drives are full height and are of IBM type 2.

The hard/floppy controller in a model 099 was made for IBM by Western Digital. (photo)

5170 models 239/319/339

In these later 5170 models, IBM supplied 30MB drives. They are the Seagate ST-4038 and IBM 0665-38. Both drives are full height and are of IBM type 20. The BIOS on the motherboard of these later models (BIOS dated either 06/10/85 or 11/15/85) is enhanced to support a type 20 drive.
IBM supplied a different hard/floppy controller in these later 5170 models. (photo)

Low-level format

The IBM method of low-level formatting the hard drive in a 5170, assuming that the IBM controller is the original type, is to use the corresponding functionality
found in IBM's Advanced Diagnostics for IBM Personal Computer AT floppy. (procedure)

An alternate method is to use software that contains low-level formatting functionality, e.g. SpeedStor.

NOTE: The 'G=C800:x' method that is typically used for hard disk controllers in PCs and XTs, will not work for the IBM supplied controller in the 5170.

Sector interleave

IBM used a default sector interleave of 3:1 in the 5170 hard drives. Changing that to 2:1 results in better overall performance of the hard drive system. The interleave can be specified at the time of low-level formatting. If the hard drive is already in use, special software (such as SpinRite II) can perform a non-destructive change of sector interleave (non-destructive: won't delete programs/data that are presently on the drive).


[h="2"] Motherboard switch/jumper settings [/h]

Primary display adapter

Adjacent to the power connectors is a small switch. It is set according to the primary display adapter.
  • MDA: Push switch towards rear of system
  • CGA: Push switch towards front of system
  • EGA: Either position
  • VGA: Either position

RAM jumper

J18 is set according to whether the motherboard is to decode 256KB or 512KB of motherboard RAM. Refer to the diagram at this link for the setting of J18.
On a type 1 motherboard, J18 is set according to whether bank 0 only is populated (i.e. 256KB), or whether both banks 0 and 1 are populated (i.e. 512KB).
On type 2 and 3 motherboards, J18 is normally set to the 512KB position, since there is only one motherboard RAM configuration. If J18 is set to the 256KB position, only the first half of each RAM chip will be used.


[h="2"] CMOS/RTC backup battery [/h]
IBM's part catalog for the 5170 [contained in Reference 8] lists the battery as IBM part number 8286121. It is a 6 volt Lithium battery. (photo of similar item)
Being a standard Lithium battery, it is not rechargeable.

The first sign of a low battery is that the 5170 starts to lose time. As the battery voltage gets lower, the rate of time loss increases. Eventually, the battery voltage gets low enough to trigger the 5170 to generate a 161 or 162 or 163 error on power up.

A 3 volt Lithium battery is inadequate. It will cause loss of time. Many 5170s are fitted with a 3.6 volt Lithium battery (photo of similar item). Reference 10 suggests that even a new 3.6 volt Lithium battery may result in time loss in some 5170s.

The 5170 motherboard does not contain battery charging circuitry, and so any rechargeable battery connected will not be charged by the motherboard.


[h="2"] Keyboards [/h]
The IBM AT keyboard is the first bi-directional keyboard in the PC family. Bi-directional refers to the capability of the keyboard to both send data and receive it. Being able to receive data allows the system unit to accurately set the keyboard indicator lights to match their actual state, a feature that was not possible on the earlier members of the PC family.

There are two possible keyboards for the IBM AT - an 84 key keyboard and a 101 key enhanced keyboard. Models 068, 099, 239 and 319 use the 84 key keyboard.
Model 339 is the only model that was supplied with a 101 key keyboard. That keyboard may also be used on Model 319. That keyboard is not supported on the other models (due to motherboard BIOS and possibly code in keyboard controller chip).


[h="2"] Unsupported PC bus adapter cards and options [/h]

The following cards and options from the IBM PC (5150) and IBM XT (5160) are not supported: [Reference 7]
  • IBM 5161 Expansion Unit
  • IBM Asynchronous Communications Adapter
  • IBM 64KB/256KB Memory Expansion Adapter
  • IBM Printer Adapter
  • IBM PC and IBM XT keyboard


[h="2"] Some known issues [/h]

256/512KB jumper

J18 is set according to whether the motherboard is to decode 256KB or 512KB of motherboard RAM. If a type 1 motherboard has only 256KB fitted, and J18 is incorrectly set to the 512KB position, you'll find that the IBM AT will boot. However, if a memory expansion card is then fitted that provides RAM between addresses 256K and 512K, memory errors between the addresses of 256K and 512K may occur (because data bus contention will occur as a result of address conflict).

512KB/2MB memory expansion option

IBM's '512KB/2MB Memory Expansion Option' card is designed for the later models of the IBM AT. If it is used in a model 068/099 that also has an IBM EGA card fitted, a PARITY CHECK 2 error will be seen on warm boot of the IBM AT.

Removal of supplied controller

If the IBM supplied hard/floppy drive controller is removed from a type 2 or a type 3 motherboard, and a different floppy controller fitted in its place, a "601-Diskette error" error message will be seen on power on. This does not happen with a type 1 motherboard. The cause has been isolated to the IBM BIOS ROMs. BIOS ROMs dated 06/10/85 and 11/15/85 have the issue. It is as if the 06/10/85 and 11/15/85 dated IBM BIOS' are programmed to expect something unique about the IBM supplied hard/floppy drive controller.
Replacing those BIOS' with one from a third party (e.g. Award, AMI) removes the error.

AST Rampage AT

AST indicated that the original version of their 'Rampage AT' card will not operate consistently in the model 339. Because the model 339 differs from the model 319 only by keyboard, the model 319 is affected as well. Later revisions of the Rampage AT card do not have the problem. [Reference 11]


[h="2"]Manuals[/h]

IBM-authored manuals specific to the 5170 are: [Reference 7]
  • AT Installation and Setup
  • AT Guide To Operations
  • AT Technical Reference
  • AT Hardware Maintenance and Service

There are various editions of those 5170 manuals. See Reference 9 for details.


[h="2"]Further reading[/h]

IBM Personal Computer Family Service Information Manual, SA38-0037-01


[h="2"]Cited references[/h]



[h="2"]Other links[/h]


[wiki]Category:Systems[/wiki]
 
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