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The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
11–20 of 85 posts
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#12>72pin simm in 1988 Afaik other companies picked up 32bit simms very slowly. SUN in 1991 in SPARCstation IPX. First x86 support showing up in 1992 on 486 boards just before introduction of VLB slots. Apple was year later with LC III/520 and Centris in 1993.
I have a 386SX that has a single 72-pin SIMM socket. It xseems to be a 1991 design by the stickers on components.
Even more weirdly, the machine could be equipped with a 286 daughterboard instead of the 386SX. I wonder if it just discarded half of each memory access to fill the 16-bit bus.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#13http://www.postbulletin.com/magazine/2004/08/index.shtml "According to Bob Dubke, the second engineer on IBM's 5100 team in Rochester (who now co-owns a locally-based company called eXport Ventures Corp. and also works for Edina Realty), that secret function was his contribution to the design of the computer. The function, which IBM suppressed because of worries about how their competition might use it, was an interf…
Had no idea that the Steins;Gate John Titor was RL-(hoax-)inspired, huh.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#14Mirror for those that get blocked by the dreamwidth ddos "protection" like me: https://archive.ph/mLhYa On the subject, I am typing this response with a PS/2 keyboard from 2003. I use an old computer with old software. Which is why dreamwidth blocked me.
I'm typing through a dual ps/2 mouse and keyboard to USB adaptor. Mouse side is empty and keyboard side has a gc56mf to ps/2 adaptor on it. Because my keyboard is from the 80s.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#15>72pin simm in 1988 Afaik other companies picked up 32bit simms very slowly. SUN in 1991 in SPARCstation IPX. First x86 support showing up in 1992 on 486 boards just before introduction of VLB slots. Apple was year later with LC III/520 and Centris in 1993.
I have a 386SX that has a single 72-pin SIMM socket. It xseems to be a 1991 design by the stickers on components. Even more weirdly, the machine could be equipped with a 286 daughterboard instead of the 386SX. I wonder if it just discarded half of each memory access to fill the 16-bit bus.
brand/model? There was also Compaq DeskPro 386/20N, came out in ~December 1991 https://books.google.com.au/books?id=KT0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA106&l...
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#16It didn't originate with the PS/2 line, but the Model M keyboard with Selectric roots was standard equipment, an absolute beast, and the best keyboard I've ever had.
The Model M's buckling spring mechanism has absolutely nothing to do with the mechanics of the Selectric keyboard.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have a 386SX that has a single 72-pin SIMM socket. It xseems to be a 1991 design by the stickers on components. Even more weirdly, the machine could be equipped with a 286 daughterboard instead of the 386SX. I wonder if it just discarded half of each memory access to fill the 16-bit bus.
brand/model? There was also Compaq DeskPro 386/20N, came out in ~December 1991 https://books.google.com.au/books?id=KT0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA106&l...
Magnavox Headstart/SX.
Here's the mainboard diagram http://www.uncreativelabs.de/th99/m/P-R/34385.htm (although they claim it's 20MHz, the one I have is 16)
It's strangely overbuilt-- very feature rich BIOS, almost tool-less chassis, 72 pin memory socket, lots of surface mount parts, but paired with the slowest 386 on the market and a hard disc that was probably about 3 years out of date (Seagate ST351A/X-- capable of running in that weird 8-bit IDE mode) I have to figure it was Philips flexing their last few years of being a premium electronics manufacturer-- they can make a nice PCB and chassis but still have to buy the computery stuff from elsewhere.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#18Also the PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors. Before that mice were speaking to serial ports or required an add in card with a nonstandard port. the people buying PS/2's were often very concerned with mice, they'd seen them on TV and they wanted one.
Most mice used an rs232 serial port.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#19What I remember most about the PS/2 is the crazy power switch that internally connected to a metal rod that connected to another switch on the PSU itself.
Re: The pivotal importance of IBM's PS/2 range on computers, even today
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
brand/model? There was also Compaq DeskPro 386/20N, came out in ~December 1991 https://books.google.com.au/books?id=KT0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA106&l...
Magnavox Headstart/SX. Here's the mainboard diagram http://www.uncreativelabs.de/th99/m/P-R/34385.htm (although they claim it's 20MHz, the one I have is 16) It's strangely overbuilt-- very feature rich BIOS, almost tool-less chassis, 72 pin memory socket, lots of surface mount parts, but paired with the slowest 386 on the market and a hard disc that was probably about 3 years out of date (Seagate ST351A/X-- capable o…
Indeed appears to be middle of 1991 design. Nice!