IBM PS/2 Model 53 486SLC2 Computer Overview and Demonstration

Here is nearly 40 minutes of IBM Personal System/2 goodness! It's a lot of time, though there is a lot to cover.

WARNING: This video contains flickering and strobing patterns. (I could have reduced it by changing the scan rate and shutter speed of my camcorder. I forgot to do that, and I'm sorry for any trouble it may cause.)

This is an IBM PS/2 Model 53 486SLC2. It was IBM's answer to a market that wanted a "value" choice that was more capable than the common-as-dirt IBM PS/2 Model 55SX. IBM responded at first with "special bid" versions of the 55SX, and later this machine. With a slightly redesigned front case and Reply upgrade motherboard as standard, this was quite an improvement over a stock 55SX.

In this video I give a complete walkthrough from the 55SX and its beginnings all the way up to the software I've used on this system.

It was also fairly popular. I saw these systems come up on eBay as recently as 2008. My PS/2s are NOT FOR SALE (unless you have a ridiculous amount of money to offer, and probably not even then). The supply has dwindled, but you can still find one with some persistence. Maybe a lot of persistence. Don't pay too much for a plain machine, either. More than $20 or $30 is too much for all but the very rarest things.

I thought at one point it was possible to get the CD-ROM installation kit from a company known as PS/Solution. They are still in business today but do not list the part. When I ordered a CD-ROM installation kit for a PS/2 Model 90, they had a minimum order of around $7.

If you are looking for hard drive mounting kits for other PS/2 models, they still carry such things. I found the fit and finish of what I bought from them to be pretty good (though not perfect).

http://www.pssolution.com/

ChipChat's sound card was very expensive when available new. Any example of a similar card from Reply, Piper Research or ChipChat will hold its value quite well. ChipChat is the only company of the three still in business, though they no longer retail their Microchannel sound card. I'm not sure what they do now to remain in business.

http://www.chipchat.com/

Their old sound card page (showing a card complete with its wavetable daughterboard!) is available here:

http://www.chipchat.com/mca/SoundCard/SoundCard.html

I replaced the stock ~200MB IBM hard disk with a 1GB Seagate. IBM's drive still worked well. I just wanted more space.

The Microchannel Mafia (or "Microchannel Enthusiasts") page may be found at http://www.mcamafia.de/

There is a reason why the hard drive LED stops working. A special software mechanism actually strobes the LED by checking for activity on the IDE bus. This mechanism was patented by IBM (and Reply used it as well, since the chipset on this board came from IBM). I'm sure that when protected mode takes over, the real mode BIOS code can no longer operate. Even if it did, it would impose a performance penalty due to constant transitions between real and protected mode. So, the BIOS code likely just "backs down" until the protected mode software is done running.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• IBM
• PS/2
• Personal System/2
• computer
• system
• Model 53 486SLC2
• Model 53
• technology
• demonstration
• Personal Computer
• ChipChat
• Microchannel
• sound
• card
• Windows 95
• demo
• software
• International
• Business
• Machines
• 9553
• Premium Line

[TheBasscompany]

very nice computer, i have the same model, mine is a black painted one with a 2.1gb hdd, it runs windows 95 but how can i get internet on it? i have a working network card in it but it has no internet explorer on it, what can i do?

[uxwbill]

@TheBasscompany Someone must have painted it black after it was sold, as IBM only produced PS/2s in the beige color you see here.

If you're sure the network card works, and the computer is on a network with other computers, set up file sharing on it. Then download an old browser from whichever web browser archive you prefer (there are a few online), copy the installer over the network to the computer running Windows 95 and run it.

[wotldthe2006]

Dude where did you get all these computers from?

[uxwbill]

@wotldthe2006 These have come from all different places. Some were given to me. Others have been purchased from places like eBay or thrift stores. I have also collected some of them from the trash.

[blazerlover25]

@blazerlover25 and lastly since it appears you support them I think that is wrong but hey your channel your rules so if I am the trouble maker here (even after a long time subbing) then I will take my business elsewhere..why stay where I aint welcomed right?

[blazerlover25]

@uxwbill not trying to use it as a battle ground I just had a genuine question to ask the guy since he claims to know me so well...but thats fine I knew you wanted no part when haters came around but at least i tried to ask an intelligent question to the obvious idiots on this channel

[uxwbill]

@blazerlover25 You do realize that by responding to these messages, you are just playing the game and that is exactly what they want you to do!

Anyone who is trolling or hating on you is best forgotten about. Might take some effort, but you CAN do it.

Either way, my channel is not a battle ground, so *please* don't use it as one!

[PearComputingDevices]

Very nice! I had a model 90, and a 30.

[uxwbill]

@wolfsheadoil1 Whatever you may do, please don't use other people's channels and videos as a vehicle to harass anyone. That said, I'm not taking sides or getting involved in this.

Thank you.

[blazerlover25]

Darn I thought this was for a very rare IBM playstation 2....only to find out it was another computer..(being a smartypants) good video