IBM 51xx PC Family Computers

This web site is not intended as an introduction to the IBM 51xx PC family of computers.
Instead, this web site is intended to be a reference for computer-savvy people who are already familiar with the IBM 51xx PC family of computers.
This web site contains information that ranges from basic to very technical.

For queries or assistance, I suggest that you seek that at the Vintage Computer Forums.

Manuals

4860 = PCjr
5140 = PC Convertible
5150 = PC
5151 = Monochrome Display
5152 = Graphics Printer
5153 = Color Display                      ( display for CGA )
5154 = Enhanced Color Display      ( display for EGA or CGA )
5155 = Portable PC                        ( actually, a portable XT )
5160 = XT
5161 = Expansion Unit
5162 = XT Model 286         ( XT/286 ) ( an AT class system, not XT )
5170 = AT
5175 = Professional Graphics Display      ( display for PGA )
5181 = PC Compact Printer                     ( intended for the IBM PCjr )
5182 = PC Color Printer

IBM 4860

Documentation

IBM 5126

Documentation

IBM 5140

Documentation

IBM 5150 (IBM PC)

Basics	Power Supply
Documentation	Power Measurements
Motherboard Switch/Jumper Settings	Minimum Diagnostic Configuration
Known Problems/Issues	Test of SW1 and SW2 via BASIC
Motherboard Revisions	Keyboard Support
BIOS Revisions	VGA Cards
Some IBM Expansion Cards and Options	Disk Cover Plate
Memory Map of the 640 KB to 1 MB Area	Substituting the U33 BIOS ROM
RAM Information	10/27/82 BIOS - Problem of less than 4 banks of RAM
Floppy Drive Support	Early Versions
Hard Drive Support	External 3.5" diskette drive
Motherboard Diagrams
Cassette BASIC
POST - Some Errors
POST - Detailed Breakdown

IBM 5151

Documentation
Video Cable
CRT Heater

IBM 5152

Documentation
Power Up

IBM 5153

Documentation
Known Problems/Issues

IBM 5154

Documentation
Known Problems/Issues

IBM 5155 (IBM Portable PC)

Basics	Power Supply
Documentation	Power Measurements
Motherboard Switch/Jumper Settings	Minimum Diagnostic Configuration
Known Problems/Issues	Test of SW1 via BASIC
Motherboard Revisions	Expansion Slot 8
BIOS Revisions	Photo of Inside
Some IBM Expansion Cards and Options	CRT Display Unit
Memory Map of the 640 KB to 1 MB Area	External 3.5" diskette drive
RAM Information	Adding a DS1216E Real-Time Clock (RTC) Module
Floppy Drive Support
Hard Drive Support
Motherboard Diagrams
Cassette BASIC
POST - Some Errors
POST - Detailed Breakdown

IBM 5160 (IBM XT)

Basics	Power Supply
Documentation	Power Measurements
Motherboard Switch/Jumper Settings	Minimum Diagnostic Configuration
Known Problems/Issues	Test of SW1 via BASIC
Motherboard Revisions	Keyboard Support
BIOS Revisions	VGA Cards
Some IBM Expansion Cards and Options	Expansion Slot 8
Memory Map of the 640 KB to 1 MB Area	Significant Differences to the IBM 5150
RAM Information	IBM/Xebec HDD Controllers Supplied
Floppy Drive Support	Hard Drive Cabling
Hard Drive Support	External 3.5" diskette drive
Motherboard Diagrams	Adding a DS1216E Real-Time Clock (RTC) Module
Cassette BASIC
POST - Some Errors
POST - Detailed Breakdown

IBM 5161

Basics
Documentation
Cable
Photos

IBM 5162 (IBM XT Model 286)

Basics	Power Supply
Documentation	SETUP Procedure
Motherboard Switch/Jumper Settings	Hard Drive Type Number
Known Problems/Issues	Hard Drive Cabling
Motherboard Revisions
BIOS Revisions
Some IBM Expansion Cards and Options	Battery
Memory Map of the 640 KB to 1 MB Area	Photos
RAM Information
Floppy Drive Support
Motherboard Diagrams
Cassette BASIC

IBM 5170 (IBM AT)

Basics	Power Supply
Documentation	SETUP Procedure
Motherboard Switch/Jumper Settings	Hard Drive Type Number
Known Problems/Issues	Hard Drive Cabling
Motherboard Revisions	POST - Codes
BIOS Revisions	POST - Some On-Screen Errors
Some IBM Expansion Cards and Options	Battery
Memory Map of the 640 KB to 1 MB Area	Failures of the CMI 6426 Hard Drive
RAM Information	Load Resistor
Floppy Drive Support
Motherboard Diagrams
Cassette BASIC

IBM 5175

Documentation

IBM 5181

Documentation

IBM 5182

Documentation

ROMs

Images of Various ROMs	EPROM Programmers
Images of BIOS ROMs for IBM 5150/5155/5160/5162/5170	EPROM Programming Services
Images of BIOS ROMs for Certain XT Clones
Images of BIOS ROMs for Certain AT Clones
Supersoft/Landmark Diagnostic ROMs for IBM 5150/5155/5160/5170

Miscellaneous

DOS Programs	Commonly Failing Electronic Components (in vintage computers)
RTC Programs	Changes to the ST-506/ST-412 Interface
MDA / CGA / EGA	Micro Solutions Backpack CD-ROM Drive
BIOS Video Modes	Transferring Files From a Modern PC to an Old PC
POST Cards	History of 5150/5155/5160/5170 Motherboard Failure at the VCF
Resources at Other Internet Sites	Floppy Crossover Cable - Wiring
Serial ports	Timeline
DOS	Microsoft Mouse
Some Floppy Maths	Kodak Disk Drive Analyzer

Out of Scope

XT-IDE Card	Hard disk drive clocks
ESD	ICs mounted in frame
Laptops - External Power Supply - Unregulated versus Regulated
15 things about programming	Some electronics information
eBay lingo