• PS/55 Model 5560 Restoration

    From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to All on Wed Oct 6 22:06:24 2021
    This puppy arrived a few weeks ago (thankfully in one piece): https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Front.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Badge.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Intake.jpg

    Yeah it looked rather disgusting, but luckily the plastics weren't
    actually yellowed, just really dirty, with a layer of what I presume was cigarette tar covering everything.

    For those unaware, the PS/55 Model 5560 is basically an improved version
    of the PS/2 Model 90. The machine has two extra MCA slots in place of
    the memory risers:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Back.jpg

    The SIMM sockets were relocated to the planar (under the PSU). The PSU
    can be swung out, for easy access to the memory, similar to Models 85/95: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_PSU_Out.jpg

    But unlike the 85/95, the machine can be operated with the PSU swung
    out, making memory related experiments significantly less annoying (even compared to Model 90).

    To my surprise the machine cleaned up rather nicely... after many hours
    of scrubbing and some alcohol/q-tip treatment: :) https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Front_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Front_02.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Back.jpg

    The planar and adapter cards needed more than just cleaning as they were littered with leaking SMD caps. I've removed all of them and cleaned up
    the areas that got hit by the leaked electrolyte... https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_Recap.jpg

    ...and then reinstalled a few caps here 'n there and decided to test the
    board. Unfortunately the original PSU was (and still is) unstable, so I
    had to hack together something using a standard ATX PSU. This is totally
    safe, I promise!
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_ATX_Test_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_ATX_Test_02.jpg

    Yay, It works!
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_02.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_03.jpg

    Some of the SIMM positions are unreliable and I've since narrowed that
    problem down to the process complex board. The planar itself is ok (and
    fully recapped now).

    Aside from the major design changes mentioned above, there are also many smaller tweaks everywhere. For example, the system has a provision for a
    95-ask Operator Panel: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_Front_IO.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Stripped.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Populated.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Cover_Removed.jpg

    Nope, that front panel cover is not removable on a regular Model 90.

    The volume pot comes standard with most machines from the PS/55 line. (I
    wonder why this was a thing in Japan. These were business machines, and business software is usually silent... hmm.)

    Among the "quality of life" improvements are also these brackets (or
    handles?) on the back side of the system. They make opening the unit
    much easier:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Cover_Slide_Bracket.jpg

    Even something as trivial as the MCA slot covers was modified for easier removal/installation: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/Pics/Photos/MCA_Slot_Covers.jpg

    But there are also some oddities... Like the case lock - it was
    relocated to the top cover: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Cover_Lock.jpg

    And then there's this strange shortened slot cover: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Back_Short_Slot.jpg

    There's nothing behind it, no unused headers on the board (aside from
    the op panel connector), or anything else. Any ideas?

    I've updated the 5560 page with the new information and photos: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html

    And added a 5560 PSU page here: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Power.html

    What an interesting machine! It's like a Model 90 from a parallel
    universe...

    Anyway, the tasks left are the PSU repair/restuffing and diagnostic of
    the complex memory issue. And then experiments with the normally
    unsupported Type 4 platform.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Wed Oct 6 20:34:17 2021
    Control is not convinced there is a problem...

    Tom, I can say with experience that the slot cover blank can and will
    cut you open if you let it.

    Blood for Micro Channel!

    Remember, IBM loved to reduce costs. They loved automated assembly.
    Wonder how the PS/55s were assembled. With that tab sticking out, how
    were the slot covers fed to the picker? The basic covers we have could
    be loaded in magazines, I bet. Think of something like staples? each one
    fits into the next one....

    Perhaps. Maybe IBM Japan figured hand assembly of the blank covers could
    be reduced with more populated adapters? Dunno.

    On 10/6/2021 15:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    Even something as trivial as the MCA slot covers was modified for easier removal/installation: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/Pics/Photos/MCA_Slot_Covers.jpg

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Wed Oct 6 20:46:31 2021
    Huh... Replaceable power switch / volume front panel... Unpopulated OP
    Panel header.

    Suggestive of an earlier OP Panel with a display? Probably designed with
    it, then they figured out they could get by without it.

    Think of the B: Bay display in the 5494.

    https://ardent-tool.com/5494/5494.html#Op_Panel


    On 10/6/2021 15:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    Aside from the major design changes mentioned above, there are also many smaller tweaks everywhere. For example, the system has a provision for a 95-ask Operator Panel: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_Front_IO.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Stripped.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Populated.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Cover_Removed.jpg

    Nope, that front panel cover is not removable on a regular Model 90.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Wed Oct 6 20:52:26 2021
    You said "strange" like it's a bad thing.

    https://ardent-tool.com/RAID/RAID_Cheetah.html#Cheetah_Side_Card_Front

    Bulkhead bracket for a card with an internal port? SCSI? Multi-port?


    On 10/6/2021 15:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    And then there's this strange shortened slot cover: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Back_Short_Slot.jpg

    There's nothing behind it, no unused headers on the board (aside from
    the op panel connector), or anything else. Any ideas?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to All on Wed Oct 6 20:24:36 2021
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/Pics/Photos/MCA_Slot_Covers.jpg

    Recovering after a wild animal instinct party...

    Tom, remember the 7012 Thick/Thin Ethernet Riser P/N 52G4737, FRU
    43G0382 Card 2-8 ?

    https://ardent-tool.com/RS6000/7012/7012_common.html

    Since we have zero Japanese Announcement Letters, we'll probably never
    know. BUT remember the Japanese CAD Station brouchure that Sandy sendt?


    https://ardent-tool.com/PS55/Docs/PS55_Model_5560-N.pdf

    Little Wanna-Be RS/6000... "I think I can, I think I can..."

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Thu Oct 7 09:58:02 2021
    There was plenty of blood involved when disassembling/reassembling the
    machine, even with all these small improvements :-D.

    Were the slot covers really installed by machines in the PS/2 world? I
    thought the final assembly was done by humans (adapters, slot covers,
    drives, cables...)?

    Well, what I know is that these tabs make the covers really easy to
    slide out.

    On 7.10.2021 3:34, Louis Ohland wrote:
    Control is not convinced there is a problem...

    Tom, I can say with experience that the slot cover blank can and will
    cut you open if you let it.

    Blood for Micro Channel!

    Remember, IBM loved to reduce costs. They loved automated assembly.
    Wonder how the PS/55s were assembled. With that tab sticking out, how
    were the slot covers fed to the picker? The basic covers we have could
    be loaded in magazines, I bet. Think of something like staples? each one
    fits into the next one....

    Perhaps. Maybe IBM Japan figured hand assembly of the blank covers could
    be reduced with more populated adapters? Dunno.

    On 10/6/2021 15:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    Even something as trivial as the MCA slot covers was modified for easier
    removal/installation:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/Pics/Photos/MCA_Slot_Covers.jpg


    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Thu Oct 7 09:43:24 2021
    Yeah that's what came to my mind too, the 2-8 adapter has a full-sized
    bracket I think, but both are positioned awkwardly above the I/O area.

    Speaking of which, the right most portion of the I/O area is completely
    unused on the 5560 planar, so I wonder why didn't they shorten it to
    make space for a regular slot cover?

    Maybe they though it would be confusing with no actual MCA slot behind
    it (and adding another MCA slot would be a problem, since the planar
    already kinda has 8 slots - 6x MCA + 2x unpopulated DBA). A regular MCA
    cover would be more useful, especially for connector brackets (like the
    5.25" floppy connector).

    Perhaps they wanted to retain the extra I/O space for later development
    - second serial port, on-board video...

    Or there really was something like the 2-8 adapter planned for the 5560 originally.

    We may never know...

    The cover is still useful, ideal for a reset button, SD card slot, etc.

    On 7.10.2021 3:24, Louis Ohland wrote:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/Pics/Photos/MCA_Slot_Covers.jpg

    Recovering after a wild animal instinct party...

    Tom, remember the 7012 Thick/Thin Ethernet Riser P/N 52G4737, FRU
    43G0382 Card 2-8 ?

    https://ardent-tool.com/RS6000/7012/7012_common.html

    Since we have zero Japanese Announcement Letters, we'll probably never
    know. BUT remember the Japanese CAD Station brouchure that Sandy sendt?


    https://ardent-tool.com/PS55/Docs/PS55_Model_5560-N.pdf

    Little Wanna-Be RS/6000... "I think I can, I think I can..."

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Thu Oct 7 10:24:47 2021
    It sure looks like they designed the machine with a server model in
    mind. Extra slots, op panel, there's even place for the 3-pin Remote
    Power-ON header.

    I'll measure the chassis opening to see if it's the right size for two HDLX-2416 LED units, but I think it is. The pinout is similar to the
    8595 one (but not compatible):

    https://ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html#J31_Op_Panel_Connector

    I'll try to figure out the remaining 4 pins later on.

    The smaller opening to the left of the volume pot is also curious: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Populated.jpg

    I'm not sure if that part is Op Panel related. To me it looks more like
    a provision for audio jacks (notice the two screw holes right bellow).


    On 7.10.2021 3:46, Louis Ohland wrote:
    Huh... Replaceable power switch / volume front panel... Unpopulated OP
    Panel header.

    Suggestive of an earlier OP Panel with a display? Probably designed with
    it, then they figured out they could get by without it.

    Think of the B: Bay display in the 5494.

    https://ardent-tool.com/5494/5494.html#Op_Panel


    On 10/6/2021 15:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    Aside from the major design changes mentioned above, there are also many
    smaller tweaks everywhere. For example, the system has a provision for a
    95-ask Operator Panel:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_Front_IO.jpg
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Stripped.jpg
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Populated.jpg
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Cover_Removed.jpg

    Nope, that front panel cover is not removable on a regular Model 90.


    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Thu Oct 7 08:30:43 2021
    Notice the two small circular holes beneath the odd cut-out? Most likely mounting holes for the barbed fastener for whatever.



    On 10/7/2021 03:24, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    The smaller opening to the left of the volume pot is also curious: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Populated.jpg

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to All on Thu Oct 7 08:42:45 2021
    U57 "DSKBOOT" 64F3110 PAL
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html

    Got to love the Japanese penchant for labeling things.

    U72 64F3110, TI CF61533FN https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html#90_planar https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html#90_planar_early

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Thu Oct 7 16:46:11 2021
    Yep, IBM Japan FTW!

    The PAL seems to be wired to the floppy controller. I'll try to figure
    out what exactly is going on there...

    The link to the early Model 90 planar reminded me something. YouTube
    made me rewatch the old LGR PS/2 Motherlode video and @ 16:17 I've
    noticed that his board is cut differently than the one in my early Model
    90 (see the area around the fan connector). It also has an additional
    PAL device in the "SPARE" position (near the power connector):

    https://youtu.be/k2R6bwxQqs8?t=977

    (pause the video and use the "," and "." keys to move frame by frame)

    Probably even earlier sample...

    On 7.10.2021 15:42, Louis Ohland wrote:

    U57 "DSKBOOT" 64F3110 PAL
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html

    Got to love the Japanese penchant for labeling things.

    U72 64F3110, TI CF61533FN https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html#90_planar https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html#90_planar_early

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Thu Oct 7 10:32:58 2021
    My DIMM memories suggest there was a surface mount PLCC down in the
    front right. A year or so ago.

    On 10/7/2021 09:46, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    Yep, IBM Japan FTW!

    The PAL seems to be wired to the floppy controller. I'll try to figure
    out what exactly is going on there...

    The link to the early Model 90 planar reminded me something. YouTube
    made me rewatch the old LGR PS/2 Motherlode video and @ 16:17 I've
    noticed that his board is cut differently than the one in my early Model
    90 (see the area around the fan connector). It also has an additional
    PAL device in the "SPARE" position (near the power connector):

    https://youtu.be/k2R6bwxQqs8?t=977

    (pause the video and use the "," and "." keys to move frame by frame)

    Probably even earlier sample...

    On 7.10.2021 15:42, Louis Ohland wrote:

    U57 "DSKBOOT" 64F3110 PAL
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html

    Got to love the Japanese penchant for labeling things.

    U72 64F3110, TI CF61533FN
    https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html#90_planar
    https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html#90_planar_early


    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From WBSTClarke@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Fri Oct 8 07:32:31 2021
    On Wednesday, 6 October 2021 at 21:06:26 UTC+1, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    This puppy arrived a few weeks ago (thankfully in one piece): https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Front.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Badge.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Intake.jpg

    Yeah it looked rather disgusting, but luckily the plastics weren't
    actually yellowed, just really dirty, with a layer of what I presume was cigarette tar covering everything.

    For those unaware, the PS/55 Model 5560 is basically an improved version
    of the PS/2 Model 90. The machine has two extra MCA slots in place of
    the memory risers:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Dirty_Back.jpg

    The SIMM sockets were relocated to the planar (under the PSU). The PSU
    can be swung out, for easy access to the memory, similar to Models 85/95: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_PSU_Out.jpg

    But unlike the 85/95, the machine can be operated with the PSU swung
    out, making memory related experiments significantly less annoying (even compared to Model 90).

    To my surprise the machine cleaned up rather nicely... after many hours
    of scrubbing and some alcohol/q-tip treatment: :) https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Front_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Front_02.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Back.jpg

    The planar and adapter cards needed more than just cleaning as they were littered with leaking SMD caps. I've removed all of them and cleaned up
    the areas that got hit by the leaked electrolyte... https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_Recap.jpg

    ...and then reinstalled a few caps here 'n there and decided to test the board. Unfortunately the original PSU was (and still is) unstable, so I
    had to hack together something using a standard ATX PSU. This is totally safe, I promise!
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_ATX_Test_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_ATX_Test_02.jpg

    Yay, It works!
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_02.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_03.jpg

    Some of the SIMM positions are unreliable and I've since narrowed that problem down to the process complex board. The planar itself is ok (and
    fully recapped now).

    Aside from the major design changes mentioned above, there are also many smaller tweaks everywhere. For example, the system has a provision for a 95-ask Operator Panel: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Planar_Front_IO.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Stripped.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Chassis_Populated.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_Cover_Removed.jpg

    Nope, that front panel cover is not removable on a regular Model 90.

    The volume pot comes standard with most machines from the PS/55 line. (I wonder why this was a thing in Japan. These were business machines, and business software is usually silent... hmm.)

    Among the "quality of life" improvements are also these brackets (or handles?) on the back side of the system. They make opening the unit
    much easier:
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Cover_Slide_Bracket.jpg

    Even something as trivial as the MCA slot covers was modified for easier removal/installation: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/Pics/Photos/MCA_Slot_Covers.jpg

    But there are also some oddities... Like the case lock - it was
    relocated to the top cover: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Cover_Lock.jpg

    And then there's this strange shortened slot cover: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Back_Short_Slot.jpg

    There's nothing behind it, no unused headers on the board (aside from
    the op panel connector), or anything else. Any ideas?

    I've updated the 5560 page with the new information and photos: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html

    And added a 5560 PSU page here: https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Power.html

    What an interesting machine! It's like a Model 90 from a parallel
    universe...

    Anyway, the tasks left are the PSU repair/restuffing and diagnostic of
    the complex memory issue. And then experiments with the normally
    unsupported Type 4 platform.

    Sounds like a major surgical operation. Kudos for the extensive effort.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Sun Oct 10 22:06:31 2021
    On 7.10.2021 10:24, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    I'll measure the chassis opening to see if it's the right size for two HDLX-2416 LED units, but I think it is.

    The opening is 60 x 26 mm in size - just about perfect for the dual
    HDLX-2416 setup:

    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_LED_Display_Fit.jpg

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to WBSTClarke on Sun Oct 10 23:00:58 2021
    On 8.10.2021 16:32, WBSTClarke wrote:
    On Wednesday, 6 October 2021 at 21:06:26 UTC+1, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    Anyway, the tasks left are the PSU repair/restuffing and diagnostic of
    the complex memory issue. And then experiments with the normally
    unsupported Type 4 platform.

    Sounds like a major surgical operation. Kudos for the extensive effort.

    Thanks! The cleaning can get really tedious, but from the most part it's actually fun (at least for me xD) - especially when it comes to the
    diagnostic and exploring the system. One can always learn something new
    along the way...

    I've checked the complex and found some corrosion between a couple of
    the card-edge contact pads. You can kinda see it on the scan as well
    (below the 487 socket):

    https://ardent-tool.com/PS55/Complex/60W1_07G3153_Photo_Back.jpg

    Some other pads in that general area were rather crummy looking as well,
    even after cleaning, so I had to freshen them a bit with a fiberglass pen.

    I've tested the complex again (in the same 8595 box as before) and this
    time it was stable, even with all 8 SIMM sockets populated - no memory
    errors. Not even after removing/reistalling the complex a few times.

    So the last item on the list is the PSU...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Sun Oct 10 18:38:06 2021
    So... aside from systems that have an op console function, what can be
    expected of attempts to add a LED display?

    On 10/10/2021 15:06, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    On 7.10.2021 10:24, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    I'll measure the chassis opening to see if it's the right size for two
    HDLX-2416 LED units, but I think it is.

    The opening is 60 x 26 mm in size - just about perfect for the dual
    HDLX-2416 setup:

    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Panel_LED_Display_Fit.jpg


    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Sun Oct 10 18:47:11 2021
    Please do. It makes me curious, blue. What is this PAL doing? Is it
    memory? Wired to the FDC, that doesn't seem quite sensible.

    Does it add function? DSKBOOT seems to suggest something related to
    booting, not sure it is O/S related, more like IML? Maybe DSKBOOT
    supports DBA-ESDI?

    You must.. probe it! Yes!

    What pins of the FDC does it connect to? What other components does it
    connect to?

    How about this for an unsupported rumor... the DSKBOOT connects the FDC
    to NVRAM to enable booting from CDROM... ;)

    On 10/7/2021 09:46, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    The PAL seems to be wired to the floppy controller. I'll try to figure
    out what exactly is going on there...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Mon Oct 11 12:00:19 2021
    On 11.10.2021 1:47, Louis Ohland wrote:
    Please do. It makes me curious, blue. What is this PAL doing? Is it
    memory? Wired to the FDC, that doesn't seem quite sensible.

    Why not? The PAL is sitting right next to the FDC and at least some of
    the traces go towards the controller.

    Does it add function? DSKBOOT seems to suggest something related to
    booting,

    Yeah... the name. The "DSK" part makes sense - floppy DiSK, DBA DiSK -
    could be either (or both) if we go just by the name itself.

    not sure it is O/S related, more like IML? Maybe DSKBOOT supports DBA-ESDI?

    That's the thing, everything related to the OS "BOOT" process is handled
    in software/firmware. I can't think of anything boot-related that would
    require a special HW logic.

    The only IML-related thing that requires a special HW is the
    E0000-FFFFFh range ROM/RAM switching, but that's implemented on the
    processor complex.

    You must.. probe it! Yes!

    What pins of the FDC does it connect to? What other components does it connect to?

    Yep... Probulation time!

    How about this for an unsupported rumor... the DSKBOOT connects the FDC
    to NVRAM to enable booting from CDROM... ;)

    :-D I like the enthusiasm, but that doesn't make much sense. The two
    components are already connected to the planar I/O bus. Not because they
    need to talk to each other directly, but because the CPU needs to be
    able to address both of them.

    Going by the little information we have currently, I only have one
    theory - the PAL handles the FDC reset initialization. The 82077
    controller can be switched between 3 different modes (PC AT, PS/2, and
    Model 30). This is done by setting two of the inputs in a certain way
    when the RESET line is toggled. I'll have to check the datasheet again,
    but I don't think this can be achieved with high value pull-up or
    something similar in this particular case. So perhaps "DSKBOOT" means
    "DiSK controller BOOT"? Though something like "FDCINIT" would make much
    sense in this context...

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  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Tomas Slavotinek on Mon Oct 11 12:33:41 2021
    The 64F3110 PAL can be found on the following planars:

    https://ardent-tool.com/9590/9590_Planar.html https://ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/5560.html https://ardent-tool.com/9533/9533.html https://ardent-tool.com/2011_2121/2121_Planar.html
    (the PS/1 stuff is unfinished and not listed on the Ardent Tool index)

    And possibly many more, since we don't always track the PALs/GALs and
    other glue...

    PS/1 hmm, unless it uses the PS/2 FDC mode, my theory is probably wrong.

    On 11.10.2021 12:00, Tomas Slavotinek wrote:
    On 11.10.2021 1:47, Louis Ohland wrote:
    Please do. It makes me curious, blue. What is this PAL doing? Is it
    memory? Wired to the FDC, that doesn't seem quite sensible.

    Why not? The PAL is sitting right next to the FDC and at least some of
    the traces go towards the controller.

    Does it add function? DSKBOOT seems to suggest something related to
    booting,

    Yeah... the name. The "DSK" part makes sense - floppy DiSK, DBA DiSK -
    could be either (or both) if we go just by the name itself.

    not sure it is O/S related, more like IML? Maybe DSKBOOT supports DBA-ESDI?

    That's the thing, everything related to the OS "BOOT" process is handled
    in software/firmware. I can't think of anything boot-related that would require a special HW logic.

    The only IML-related thing that requires a special HW is the
    E0000-FFFFFh range ROM/RAM switching, but that's implemented on the
    processor complex.

    You must.. probe it! Yes!

    What pins of the FDC does it connect to? What other components does it
    connect to?

    Yep... Probulation time!

    How about this for an unsupported rumor... the DSKBOOT connects the FDC
    to NVRAM to enable booting from CDROM... ;)

    :-D I like the enthusiasm, but that doesn't make much sense. The two components are already connected to the planar I/O bus. Not because they
    need to talk to each other directly, but because the CPU needs to be
    able to address both of them.

    Going by the little information we have currently, I only have one
    theory - the PAL handles the FDC reset initialization. The 82077
    controller can be switched between 3 different modes (PC AT, PS/2, and
    Model 30). This is done by setting two of the inputs in a certain way
    when the RESET line is toggled. I'll have to check the datasheet again,
    but I don't think this can be achieved with high value pull-up or
    something similar in this particular case. So perhaps "DSKBOOT" means
    "DiSK controller BOOT"? Though something like "FDCINIT" would make much
    sense in this context...

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to All on Mon Oct 18 18:16:19 2021
    Here is how I've solved the PSU problems and why:

    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Power_ATX_Mod.html

    The same method could be used for the Model 90 PSU.

    The machine is finally up n running:

    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Done_01.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Done_02.jpg https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Done_03.jpg

    My LCD didn't like the interlaced "115.2 Hz" mode... had to switch to my
    trusty Targa CRT for the Windows session:

    https://www.ardent-tool.com/PS55/5560/Screen_04.jpg

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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