Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on Reddit (
https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable without the
proper disk!
Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Helps to have the model when you post.

Wowser, a Trident and a Phoenix BIOS, probably the video card. An IBM
BIOS, maybe the system board. I9990305

It -MIGHT- be that the IBM is an implementation of a modular BIOS, akin
to SurePath.

The silk screen on the riser looks Panasonic-ish, but the motherboard
looks not. Maybe Matsushita made the motherboard and Panasonic designed
the system case, PSU, ancillary parts.

Need the identity of the motherboard model / part number.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on

Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!

Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

https://askpc.panasonic.co.jp/hpc/product/catalog/cf32_gp_spec.html

Louis Ohland wrote:

Helps to have the model when you post.

Wowser, a Trident and a Phoenix BIOS, probably the video card. An IBM
BIOS, maybe the system board. I9990305

It -MIGHT- be that the IBM is an implementation of a modular BIOS, akin
to SurePath.

The silk screen on the riser looks Panasonic-ish, but the motherboard
looks not. Maybe Matsushita made the motherboard and Panasonic designed
the system case, PSU, ancillary parts.

Need the identity of the motherboard model / part number.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice
piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to
have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The
topic is generating quite a lot of interest on Reddit
(https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/)
so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to
have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!
Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Also, pr0130v1 rev 4.0 written on the motherboard. 0s could be Os.


Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 01:21:47 UTC+9 Louis Ohland ha scritto:

https://askpc.panasonic.co.jp/hpc/product/catalog/cf32_gp_spec.html
Louis Ohland wrote:

Helps to have the model when you post.

Wowser, a Trident and a Phoenix BIOS, probably the video card. An IBM BIOS, maybe the system board. I9990305

It -MIGHT- be that the IBM is an implementation of a modular BIOS, akin
to SurePath.

The silk screen on the riser looks Panasonic-ish, but the motherboard looks not. Maybe Matsushita made the motherboard and Panasonic designed the system case, PSU, ancillary parts.

Need the identity of the motherboard model / part number.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice
piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to
have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The
topic is generating quite a lot of interest on Reddit
(https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/)
so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to
have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!
Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Sorry about that - yes, that is the correct model number, CF-32GP.
Any ideas on what would be the right reference disc to set the cmos? Thank you!

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 01:21:47 UTC+9 Louis Ohland ha scritto:

https://askpc.panasonic.co.jp/hpc/product/catalog/cf32_gp_spec.html
Louis Ohland wrote:

Helps to have the model when you post.

Wowser, a Trident and a Phoenix BIOS, probably the video card. An IBM BIOS, maybe the system board. I9990305

It -MIGHT- be that the IBM is an implementation of a modular BIOS, akin
to SurePath.

The silk screen on the riser looks Panasonic-ish, but the motherboard looks not. Maybe Matsushita made the motherboard and Panasonic designed the system case, PSU, ancillary parts.

Need the identity of the motherboard model / part number.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice
piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to
have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The
topic is generating quite a lot of interest on Reddit
(https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/)
so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to
have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!
Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

I don't read Japanese.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Sorry about that - yes, that is the correct model number, CF-32GP.
Any ideas on what would be the right reference disc to set the cmos? Thank you!

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 01:21:47 UTC+9 Louis Ohland ha scritto:

https://askpc.panasonic.co.jp/hpc/product/catalog/cf32_gp_spec.html
Louis Ohland wrote:

Helps to have the model when you post.

Wowser, a Trident and a Phoenix BIOS, probably the video card. An IBM
BIOS, maybe the system board. I9990305

It -MIGHT- be that the IBM is an implementation of a modular BIOS, akin
to SurePath.

The silk screen on the riser looks Panasonic-ish, but the motherboard
looks not. Maybe Matsushita made the motherboard and Panasonic designed
the system case, PSU, ancillary parts.

Need the identity of the motherboard model / part number.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice
piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to
have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The
topic is generating quite a lot of interest on Reddit
(https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/)
so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to >>>> have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!
Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 24/8/23 23:16, Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on

Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!

Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

looks to me PS/1 based design, replace coin battery.
have you tried to press F1 or F2 at boot ?

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Here's the info on that page:

Main specifications of CF-32GP
part number CF-32GP
CPU/ODP Supports Am486(TM) DX4(100MHz) and Pentium(TM) Overdrive(TM) processors RAM 8MB (up to 32MB)*1
VRAM 1MB
ROM 128KB (System BIOS/VGA BIOS)
monitor 15-inch flat (dot pitch: 0.28 mm, non-glare processing) [external CRT can also be connected]
Display mode*2 　640 x 480 dots (max. 16.77 million colors)
　800 x 600 dots (max. 65536 colors)
1024 x 768 dots (max. 256 colors)
display chip Trident 9440AGi (32-bit local bus connection)
FDD 3.5 inches (3 modes: 1.44MB/1.2MB/720KB)
hard disk 540MB (IDE)
PD optical disc Phase change recording optical disc (PD) 650MB*3
CD-ROM 4x CD-ROM
Compatible CDs CD-ROM, video CD, music CD, CD-G, photo CD, electronic book, map CD*4
sound function 16bit, 44.1kHz PCM sound source/FM sound source (Sound Blaster PRO compatible)
DSP function 3D digital surround (supports professional surround)
speaker 3D digital dome speaker (3W x 2)
TV function VHF (1-12ch)/UHF (13-62ch), stereo/bilingual
capture still image Size: 28 levels, Colors: 16.77 million colors/256 colors, Number of recordings: 1 to 10
multi stationary Number of divisions: 4/9/16/25, Capture interval: Arbitrary in units of 1/30 seconds
movie Size: 4 levels, frames: 1 to 15 frames/second, colors: 16.77 million/65,536 colors, capture time: up to 6 minutes, audio: 8/16 bit, monaural/stereo
, sampling frequency 11.025/22.05 kHz
MPEG function MPEG-1 compliant (Video CD compatible)
modem function 14400bps fax modem with message box function
internal slot ISA x 4 (of which 3 slots are occupied)
keyboard/mouse Included (JIS compliant, 106 keyboard, Japanese) / Included (PS/2 compatible)
external interface Front panel Headphone output x 1, microphone input x 1, S video input x 1,
video input x 1, audio input (R/L) x 1
Body back Serial x 2, parallel x 1, keyboard x 1, mouse x 1,
video input x 1, audio input (R/L) x 1, audio output (R/L) x 1
sound board Microphone input x 1, game port x 1
TV tuner Antenna input terminal, display x 1
modem Telephone x 1, Line x 1
LED display POWER, HDD access, TV (on/off), CD (play/stop), phone (on/off) CD-ROM access, FDD access, PD/CD
front panel POWER, volume up, volume down, TV (on/off), CD (play/stop), phone (on/off)
channel up, channel down, freeze, multi freeze, image capture
knob Horizontal/Vertical Position, Horizontal/Vertical Size, Contrast, Brightness
Remote controller TV, CD, telephone, channel selection, volume, mute, CD operation, input switching, audio switching
multi-channel, multi still, still, image capture
Power supply/power consumption AV100V (50Hz/60hZ), 131W
External dimensions/weight Width 363 x depth 438 x height 453, about 23 kg Installed software ●Microsoft®@MS-DOS®@Version6.2/V ●Microsoft/Windows®@Version3.1
●Dashboard light ●TV viewer ●Music CD viewer ●Photo CD viewer
●Video CD viewer ●E-book viewer ●Map viewer*4 ● Dictionary viewer
● CD-G viewer ● MPEG viewer ● SuperVoice ● Microsoft Golf
● Microsoft Fine Artist ● Microsoft @WORKS for Windows
● Iwanami Kokugo Dictionary ● Daily Concise Japanese-English/English-Japanese Dictionary ● Shogakukan Thesaurus
● Talking Usage Guide
Bundled items ●Keyboard ●Mouse ●Remote control ●Clip-type microphone ●AC cord x 2 (for main unit and CRT) ●VGA cable
●PD cartridge ●Modular cord (for fax modem)
●OS backup CD ●Application CD ●Utility disk
●Instruction manual (Welcome to WOODY Paradise) ● Function Guide (WOODY Dictionary)
● Windows Quick Users ● MS-IME Japanese Input Guide ● Fax Modem Guide
● Microsoft @WORKS for Windows User's Guide*1 It is necessary to replace the standard 8MB memory card with a 16MB memory card.
*2 TV display is possible in all modes.
*3 664MB (1MB = 10 to the 6th power) can be used in MS-DOS format.
*4 Compliant with the unified format of the Navigation System Study Group. Map data only available


Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 11:39:40 UTC+9 Louis Ohland ha scritto:

I don't read Japanese.
Michele Carlo wrote:

Sorry about that - yes, that is the correct model number, CF-32GP.
Any ideas on what would be the right reference disc to set the cmos? Thank you!

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 01:21:47 UTC+9 Louis Ohland ha scritto:

https://askpc.panasonic.co.jp/hpc/product/catalog/cf32_gp_spec.html
Louis Ohland wrote:

Helps to have the model when you post.

Wowser, a Trident and a Phoenix BIOS, probably the video card. An IBM >>> BIOS, maybe the system board. I9990305

It -MIGHT- be that the IBM is an implementation of a modular BIOS, akin >>> to SurePath.

The silk screen on the riser looks Panasonic-ish, but the motherboard >>> looks not. Maybe Matsushita made the motherboard and Panasonic designed >>> the system case, PSU, ancillary parts.

Need the identity of the motherboard model / part number.

Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice
piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to >>>> have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The
topic is generating quite a lot of interest on Reddit
(https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/)
so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to >>>> have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!
Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Unfortunately any key I press at boot gives me keyboard error 301


Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 13:08:08 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 24/8/23 23:16, Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on

Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!

Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

looks to me PS/1 based design, replace coin battery.
have you tried to press F1 or F2 at boot ?

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 25/8/23 14:35, Michele Carlo wrote:

Unfortunately any key I press at boot gives me keyboard error 301

that is expected if you miss the time frame window, also make sure the
kbrd is in the kbrd ps/2 socket not the one labelled for mouse, some
machines require a cold boot, so when you turn on the the machine keep
pressing F1, repeat for F2.
the valuepoint gave me those kinda of dilemmas IMMSR.

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 13:08:08 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 24/8/23 23:16, Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on

Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!

Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

looks to me PS/1 based design, replace coin battery.
have you tried to press F1 or F2 at boot ?

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Keyboard is fine - it works okay in DOS after the aforementioned errors.
If I press any button during boot I get 301. I tried keeping F2 or F1 pressed during boot, but I still got 301.
Any other ideas?


Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 22:08:06 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 25/8/23 14:35, Michele Carlo wrote:

Unfortunately any key I press at boot gives me keyboard error 301

that is expected if you miss the time frame window, also make sure the
kbrd is in the kbrd ps/2 socket not the one labelled for mouse, some machines require a cold boot, so when you turn on the the machine keep pressing F1, repeat for F2.
the valuepoint gave me those kinda of dilemmas IMMSR.

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 13:08:08 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 24/8/23 23:16, Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on

Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!

Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

looks to me PS/1 based design, replace coin battery.
have you tried to press F1 or F2 at boot ?

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Update: when pressing F2, it skips the memory check. I don't know if this info could help us find out the answer.

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 22:08:06 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 25/8/23 14:35, Michele Carlo wrote:

Unfortunately any key I press at boot gives me keyboard error 301

that is expected if you miss the time frame window, also make sure the
kbrd is in the kbrd ps/2 socket not the one labelled for mouse, some machines require a cold boot, so when you turn on the the machine keep pressing F1, repeat for F2.
the valuepoint gave me those kinda of dilemmas IMMSR.

Il giorno venerdì 25 agosto 2023 alle 13:08:08 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 24/8/23 23:16, Michele Carlo wrote:

Hello everyone! I am currently living in Japan and I found a nice piece of memorabilia - a 486 AIO made by Panasonic. It does seem to have an IBM BIOS, but no recovery disk I tried seems to work. The topic is generating quite a lot of interest on

Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/15z007t/help_me_troubleshoot_a_vintage_old_japanese/) so, my only card left is asking my this group. Right now, I managed to have it boot, but I still get errors 161 and 162 - not solvable
without the proper disk!

Any ideas?
Thank you everybody!

looks to me PS/1 based design, replace coin battery.
have you tried to press F1 or F2 at boot ?

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 26/8/23 10:50, Michele Carlo wrote:

Update: when pressing F2, it skips the memory check. I don't know if this info could help us find out the answer.

Describe how you doing it for us please.

IMMSR, F2 is the fall back key to F1

as an example: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/press-f2-access-bios-setup-utility-during-post-ibm-system-x3450-type-7948

"Unable to access the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F1 during Power On
Self Test (POST).

Resolving The Problem
Source
RETAIN tip: H193563

Issue
Unable to enter the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F1 during Power On
Self Test (POST).

Affected configurations
The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

System x3450, type 7948, any model
This tip is not option specific.

This tip is not software specific.

Additional information
In order to access the BIOS Setup Utility on the IBM System x3450, the
user has to press F2 during POST.

Applicable countries and regions
Worldwide"

For example how long do you wait after you press F2?
Does the FDD light keep coming on?

I think is waiting for one of the peripherals to be read to continue and
enter the BIOS.

Disconnecting none essentials should also help.

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Thank you. I'll try to be as precise as possible. I am absolutely sure that the CMOS battery is fine, as I've just swapped it and it remembers time and date between cold boots.

1) Keeping F1 or F2 pressed from before power-on: Keyboard error 301. The boot process freezes after the memory check, unless I release F1 or F2. After that, it reports errors 161 and 162.

2) Press F1 or F2 during boot: if pressed during or after memory check, errors 161 and 162. If pressed before, keyboard error 301 and errors 161 and 162. If F2 is pressed during memory check, it completes instantaneously (maybe skip?).

FDD light: comes on and is able to boot if I ignore errors 161&162. All non essentials disconnected.

Il giorno sabato 26 agosto 2023 alle 13:08:07 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 26/8/23 10:50, Michele Carlo wrote:

Update: when pressing F2, it skips the memory check. I don't know if this info could help us find out the answer.

Describe how you doing it for us please.

IMMSR, F2 is the fall back key to F1

as an example: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/press-f2-access-bios-setup-utility-during-post-ibm-system-x3450-type-7948

"Unable to access the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F1 during Power On
Self Test (POST).

Resolving The Problem
Source
RETAIN tip: H193563

Issue
Unable to enter the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F1 during Power On
Self Test (POST).

Affected configurations
The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

System x3450, type 7948, any model
This tip is not option specific.

This tip is not software specific.

Additional information
In order to access the BIOS Setup Utility on the IBM System x3450, the
user has to press F2 during POST.

Applicable countries and regions
Worldwide"

For example how long do you wait after you press F2?
Does the FDD light keep coming on?

I think is waiting for one of the peripherals to be read to continue and enter the BIOS.

Disconnecting none essentials should also help.
--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 27/8/23 13:37, Michele Carlo wrote:

Thank you. I'll try to be as precise as possible. I am absolutely sure that the CMOS battery is fine, as I've just swapped it and it remembers time and date between cold boots.

1) Keeping F1 or F2 pressed from before power-on: Keyboard error 301. The boot process freezes after the memory check, unless I release F1 or F2. After that, it reports errors 161 and 162.

2) Press F1 or F2 during boot: if pressed during or after memory check, errors 161 and 162. If pressed before, keyboard error 301 and errors 161 and 162. If F2 is pressed during memory check, it completes instantaneously (maybe skip?).

FDD light: comes on and is able to boot if I ignore errors 161&162. All non essentials disconnected.

after memory check, do you get a blinking dash - in the upper left
corner of the screen? hit F1 or F2 once if it does, I don't think IBM
BIOS ever used DEL key on the keypad but you never know maybe worth a try?.

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Yes, I do get the blinking dash in the upper left after memory check, put hitting F1 or F2 does nothing - it brings me back to errors 161 and 162. I believe I really need the appropriate disk. Any ideas on what motherboard could this be a clone of?


Il giorno domenica 27 agosto 2023 alle 17:08:06 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 27/8/23 13:37, Michele Carlo wrote:

Thank you. I'll try to be as precise as possible. I am absolutely sure that the CMOS battery is fine, as I've just swapped it and it remembers time and date between cold boots.

1) Keeping F1 or F2 pressed from before power-on: Keyboard error 301. The boot process freezes after the memory check, unless I release F1 or F2. After that, it reports errors 161 and 162.

2) Press F1 or F2 during boot: if pressed during or after memory check, errors 161 and 162. If pressed before, keyboard error 301 and errors 161 and 162. If F2 is pressed during memory check, it completes instantaneously (maybe skip?).

FDD light: comes on and is able to boot if I ignore errors 161&162. All non essentials disconnected.

after memory check, do you get a blinking dash - in the upper left
corner of the screen? hit F1 or F2 once if it does, I don't think IBM
BIOS ever used DEL key on the keypad but you never know maybe worth a try?. --
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 28/8/23 20:06, Michele Carlo wrote:

Yes, I do get the blinking dash in the upper left after memory check, put hitting F1 or F2 does nothing - it brings me back to errors 161 and 162. I believe I really need the appropriate disk. Any ideas on what motherboard could this be a clone of?

Il giorno domenica 27 agosto 2023 alle 17:08:06 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 27/8/23 13:37, Michele Carlo wrote:

Thank you. I'll try to be as precise as possible. I am absolutely sure that the CMOS battery is fine, as I've just swapped it and it remembers time and date between cold boots.

1) Keeping F1 or F2 pressed from before power-on: Keyboard error 301. The boot process freezes after the memory check, unless I release F1 or F2. After that, it reports errors 161 and 162.

2) Press F1 or F2 during boot: if pressed during or after memory check, errors 161 and 162. If pressed before, keyboard error 301 and errors 161 and 162. If F2 is pressed during memory check, it completes instantaneously (maybe skip?).

FDD light: comes on and is able to boot if I ignore errors 161&162. All non essentials disconnected.

after memory check, do you get a blinking dash - in the upper left
corner of the screen? hit F1 or F2 once if it does, I don't think IBM
BIOS ever used DEL key on the keypad but you never know maybe worth a try?. >> --
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

Although the design and build maybe propriety to Masuchita, I am tempted
to say is close to value point the one made in Indo/Malay?? hence the
IBM BIOS??
some systems also had the BIOS key mapped to a special key on the
keyboard , a blue wrench [ ====(O ].

--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Did valuepoints use reference disks in the 486 era?
Unfortunately I don't have the original keyboard, but I'm pretty sure even the one that came in the box didn't have any special keys.

Il giorno martedì 29 agosto 2023 alle 14:08:06 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 28/8/23 20:06, Michele Carlo wrote:

Yes, I do get the blinking dash in the upper left after memory check, put hitting F1 or F2 does nothing - it brings me back to errors 161 and 162. I believe I really need the appropriate disk. Any ideas on what motherboard could this be a clone of?

Il giorno domenica 27 agosto 2023 alle 17:08:06 UTC+9 moussa ha scritto:

On 27/8/23 13:37, Michele Carlo wrote:

Thank you. I'll try to be as precise as possible. I am absolutely sure that the CMOS battery is fine, as I've just swapped it and it remembers time and date between cold boots.

1) Keeping F1 or F2 pressed from before power-on: Keyboard error 301. The boot process freezes after the memory check, unless I release F1 or F2. After that, it reports errors 161 and 162.

2) Press F1 or F2 during boot: if pressed during or after memory check, errors 161 and 162. If pressed before, keyboard error 301 and errors 161 and 162. If F2 is pressed during memory check, it completes instantaneously (maybe skip?).

FDD light: comes on and is able to boot if I ignore errors 161&162. All non essentials disconnected.

after memory check, do you get a blinking dash - in the upper left
corner of the screen? hit F1 or F2 once if it does, I don't think IBM
BIOS ever used DEL key on the keypad but you never know maybe worth a try?.
--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

Although the design and build maybe propriety to Masuchita, I am tempted
to say is close to value point the one made in Indo/Malay?? hence the
IBM BIOS??
some systems also had the BIOS key mapped to a special key on the
keyboard , a blue wrench [ ====(O ].
--
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 1/9/23 08:39, Michele Carlo wrote:

Did valuepoints use reference disks in the 486 era?

no

IIRC, Valuepoint came in different models for the same model number
depend on the country region factories they where assembled in,
including the ones assembled here in Australia.

However they did have a diagnostic disk https://archive.org/details/ibm_psvaluepoint6384p60diagnosticstype4_v100_82g3948

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PS/ValuePoint


you can see the Australia Design version here

https://wiki.preterhuman.net/images/2/2b/JUNK2000.jpg

Owned by a mate of mine and a HAM operator VK6PM
he's the original owner of the *Junkbox BBS* and equipments.
it had a flipping cover facia to stop the dust build up.

Some used 32 pins RAM others 72 pins, but they all came with a 486sx cpu
and socket for a overdrive CPU, and ISA based bus, some also had PCI I
came across 4 different types and i think i have them in my personal collection.

Inial use by me was for a router using *linux router*, *Freesco* and as
a network bridge.


---
Moussa

"People alike with a similar circumstances, tend to find each
others across space and time, given enough time in life, no
matter distance, language, race, colour and believes" (c) MEK
*** Do Not Copy, Duplicate or Use without my Permission ***

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 11:47:04 PM UTC-4, moussa wrote:

On 1/9/23 08:39, Michele Carlo wrote:

Did valuepoints use reference disks in the 486 era?

no

IIRC, Valuepoint came in different models for the same model number
depend on the country region factories they where assembled in,
including the ones assembled here in Australia.

The BIOS of the Panasonic CF-32GP may be more closely related to the IBM Aptiva BIOS than the Valuepoint, but of course I'm just speculating. All of the IBM Japan PCs were "odd ducks", why Panasonic decided to use an IBM BIOS in 1995 is hard for me to
fathom. If this machine was delivered to my doorstep, I'd be inclined to simply junk it -- but if you'd like to play around with it and not have to press the F2 key each time to be able to boot from a 3.5-inch floppy disk, I'd replace the IBM BIOS with
a 486 Phoenix BIOS (one with SETUP built-in) so that you can easily set the NVRAM values and go from there. If you're not a fan of the Phoenix BIOS sets, an Award BIOS from that vintage would probably work just as well. Either of these can be easily
harvested from old 486 era motherboards that continue to find their way into the e-waste stream. If you're really looking for a long-term project, you could read the BIOS module with an EPROM programmer and start disassembling it, or just look at the
text strings in it for clues.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

I finally found a compatible setup program for this system. Is it called SETUP31D: I could share it if anyone is interested.
Wow, that's something I hadn't even thought of. I could provide a dump of the BIOS module if any one is interested and if that is legal.
Would a Phoenix or Award BIOS be plug and play?

Il giorno sabato 2 settembre 2023 alle 14:35:10 UTC+9 RickE ha scritto:

On Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 11:47:04 PM UTC-4, moussa wrote:

On 1/9/23 08:39, Michele Carlo wrote:

Did valuepoints use reference disks in the 486 era?

no

IIRC, Valuepoint came in different models for the same model number
depend on the country region factories they where assembled in,
including the ones assembled here in Australia.

The BIOS of the Panasonic CF-32GP may be more closely related to the IBM Aptiva BIOS than the Valuepoint, but of course I'm just speculating. All of the IBM Japan PCs were "odd ducks", why Panasonic decided to use an IBM BIOS in 1995 is hard for me to

fathom. If this machine was delivered to my doorstep, I'd be inclined to simply junk it -- but if you'd like to play around with it and not have to press the F2 key each time to be able to boot from a 3.5-inch floppy disk, I'd replace the IBM BIOS with a
486 Phoenix BIOS (one with SETUP built-in) so that you can easily set the NVRAM values and go from there. If you're not a fan of the Phoenix BIOS sets, an Award BIOS from that vintage would probably work just as well. Either of these can be easily
harvested from old 486 era motherboards that continue to find their way into the e-waste stream. If you're really looking for a long-term project, you could read the BIOS module with an EPROM programmer and start disassembling it, or just look at the
text strings in it for clues.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 2:08:12 AM UTC-4, Michele Carlo wrote:

I finally found a compatible setup program for this system. Is it called SETUP31D: I could share it if anyone is interested.
Wow, that's something I hadn't even thought of. I could provide a dump of the BIOS module if any one is interested and if that is legal.
Would a Phoenix or Award BIOS be plug and play?

A Phoenix or Award BIOS would probably work reasonably well, it would not be a perfect fit. The "core" of the BIOS for 386SX, 386DX and 486 machines were all very similar, the manufacturer would add (or contract to have added) some specifics best suited
to their motherboard design. Since you've found a working SETUP program, there's no need for that attempt now.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)