- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by Herbert Johnson 11 Jul '25

11 Jul '25

Just to be clear: Jesus A. Diaz of Elizabeth, reports he has an "IBM 386 PS/2 PC" that isn't booting up, and he describes the limited operations it performs on power up. Namely, the fan runs but nothing else, no LED lights no sounds. There's also something he calls "a screen" - maybe a CRT monitor? - that shows the literal words "NO SIGNAL". I have some suggestions to diagnose things further. Warning: proceed at your own risk on these suggestions. Also: I don't know everything, and I'm not an "official" in any way of VCFed or MARCH. But I think it's possible the "motherboard" has failed in some way, rather than the power supply. 1) I don't know if this model computer has its own internal CRT and monitor circuits; and if they are powered by the same DC power supply as the 368 computer. If "the screen" is an external and modern LCD monitor, those are perfectly capable of showing text messages with no computer inputs at all. If "the screen" is an integrated 1990 CRT monitor on a 1990 IBM computer, my guess is "it's not smart enough". Jesus should search the Web for IBM documentation for his exact PC model and see if it offers more diagnostic information, and if operation of the monitor to show *that message* suggests his AC to DC power supply is operating on the computer side. The IBM brand of 386 PS/2 PCs had some pretty good documentation about diagnosing problems. It would be good for Jesus to confirm the exact model and IBM model number of his PC, for anyone wishing to help him. 2) Same deal with that fan. Maybe something else powers that fan. See what documentation says. 3) A simple means to test some of the computer's DC power operation, is to pull the DC power connector from the floppy drive or the hard drive, and use a voltmeter to measure the 5 volts and 12 volts. The connector has four pins, two are ground and one each for 5 and 12 volts. Documentation for these devices will describe the connectors and where the voltages are. Typically the center two pins are "ground", the pins at either end are power. It's harder work, to measure voltages on the PC motherboard, or on the DC power cable. I don't suggest pulling the DC power cable from the motherboard. Without a connected power load on that supply, it may *cause damage*. I'm not sure. Be careful inside your PC, anything you do is at your own risk. 4) related to 3) maybe he can hear the hard-drive spin up when power is applied. He may have to work hard to listen for that. Possibly the floppy drives will spin, but that's not always true if the computer is not functional and or there's no floppy in the drive. Point being: if the DC power supply appears to function, then it's the motherboard. Not much else is left. After Jesus does some of this testing and work, and gets familiar with some of the inner features of this PC, another Web search on that model *and* specific problems, may yield more discussions on the Web about repairing one. Possibly it will lead him to some online sale of a motherboard, power supply or matching computer. Also: Jesus might look at archived previous messages in this vcf-midatlantic list, about the occasional workshops offered at InfoAge (in Wall NJ). Possibly he'd like to bring his PC for *his own work* to test and repair. Read prior discussions to see how that works. They are not "we will fix your PC" workshops, please be clear about that. https://lists.vcfed.org/pipermail/vcf-midatlantic/ Good luck with resolving the IBM 386 PC issues. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rsx-11m v4.2
by Dave McGuire 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

On 7/10/25 16:35, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Thank you so much Dave, I will check them out. You're welcome Mike. Good luck. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rsx-11m v4.2
by Dave Shevett 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

Dave McG (have to specify here) - can you share the download dirs? I'd love to pull modern versions of RSX for my PiDP, and then put them on my /73 also. (I also have a Pro/380 sitting in the wings I wonder if I could do this with) On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > On 7/9/25 17:09, wmrieker(a)nii.net wrote: > >>> > Does anyone have a distribution of RSX-11M V4.2? I'm installing on > >>> > an 11/34 and looking for a version that has both TM-11 tape drive > >>> > and DEUNA support. > >>> > >>> I have the 4.1 RL distribution kit, and the 4.8 "big disk" kit. I > >> > >> Hi Dave, > >> I'm pretty sure 4.1 does not have DEUNA support. > >> The SPD for 4.2 says it does. Are there files for that 4.8 somewhere I > >> can get hold of? > > > > Yes, I'll put it up for you to download tomorrow. (later today) > > Also, I just noticed that I have the 4.3 kit here, as a tape image. Can > > you wrangle that on your end? That'll be a bit smaller than 4.8; what > > is your target system disk type? > > Hi Dave, > Yes I could try the 4.3 stuff. I'm using RL02s. > Thank you. > Mike > > > > > -Dave > > > > -- > > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > > New Kensington, PA > > > > > -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

4 4

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by Bill Degnan 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

not battery. On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I realized just now that you did see my email I was questioning whether > you did or not > But I did not see a reply to it at all maybe I need to check my filters. > > Mike Rosen > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jul 10, 2025, at 1:04 PM, "cuesnj(a)aim.com" <cuesnj(a)aim.com> wrote: > > > > If by "battery" you mean CMOS battery, that will display diagnostic > codes on the screen. No such codes appear now. In 2008 I replaced the CMOS > battery; the screen codes told me exactly what was wrong. A that time I > could do the repair myself, but I know my limits. The present repair is > beyond my ability. > > On Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 12:25:33 PM EDT, Bill Degnan via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Battery. > > B > > > > > > > >> On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> Hello and welcome to the group > >> Just a quick question or two and a couple of pointers on what to check. > >> > >> You say the fan comes on so you know it has power. > >> Do you see any other lights on including keyboard lights? > >> > >> If you see no other lights and no signs of life other than the power > >> fan,it seems to me as if you have AC power only and you don’t have any > DC > >> power. > >> > >> Which means the power supply is not functioning properly, probably a > blown > >> fuse. > >> > >> With the storms we’ve been having lately I wouldn’t be surprised. > >> > >> Because of its age, the power supply needs to be tested completely and > to > >> be made sure that it has parts that are 100% reliable. > >> > >> This, I am sure, can be done at any of the up upcoming repair workshops > at > >> InfoAge wall Township nj. > >> > >> While we do not have all of the parts to fix everything, we can > certainly > >> help you test it out and see if the power supply is working properly. > >> > >> Other things can be tested as well if the power supply works, sometimes > a > >> deep dive can be done, depending on how much time there is. > >> If you’re handy with a multimeter, > >> > >> You can do a quick test checking for 12 V and 5 v @ the connectors for > the > >> floppy drive or hard drive or even the motherboard. > >> I personally have not been to attend any of the workshops recently and > >> this weekend has a big swap meet up in North Jersey, so I will not be > there > >> at a workshop on Sunday for sure. > >> So I figured this might get you started ! > >> > >> Mike Rosen > >> > >> > >> Sent from: > >> My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >> > >>> On Jul 10, 2025, at 11:33 AM, cuesnj--- via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > >> From: "cuesnj(a)aim.com" <cuesnj(a)aim.com> > >> To: "vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org" <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >> Cc: > >> Bcc: > >> Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:01:37 +0000 (UTC) > >> Subject: REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC > >> Jeff Brace (see below) referred me to your groups as ones that might > help > >> me with the issue I described in my Jul. 8 email to him. Would be > delighted > >> to hear from you. > >> Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ > >> > >> Hello Jesus, > >> Our local chapter (MARCH) which operates out of InfoAge Science and > >> History Museums in Wall, NJ has a discussion list where you might be > able > >> to get local members to help you: > >> https://lists.vcfed.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlanticWe also have a > >> repair workshop once a month: > >> https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/. The next one is this > >> weekend. There are lots of people that can help.There is also our online > >> Forum: forum.vcfed.org where you can post your questions to the world > and > >> get answers. > >> Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. > >> Jeff Brace > >> > >> On Tue, Jul 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM cuesnj(a)aim.com <cuesnj(a)aim.com> wrote: > >> > >> I have an IBM 386 PS/2 PC that has served me well since I bought it > years > >> ago. It's having a problem now: When I press the power switch, I hear > the > >> fan (if I put my hand in front of the fan, feel the air coming out of > the > >> machine). On the screen I get the words NO SIGNAL. The normal > DOS-loading > >> screens do not show. The floppy drive light does not light up. Because > A - > >> - - > C is the boot sequence, that the floppy light does not come on > >> suggests the boot sequence does not begin. > >> All data are backed up; I'm at no risk of losing anything. I'm > considering > >> repairing the unit, if that's possible, for the reason I go on to > describe. > >> I taught college for 30+ years, so many files in the PC are formatted in > >> Word Perfect 5.1 & an early version of Microsoft Word. Though I retired > >> from f/t work I adjunct regularly. Occasionally, an old file, in its > >> original version or edited, is what I need for a class or another > project. > >> On my Windows 11 machine I have recent versions of Word Perfect & Word, > >> where I can open these files. But this requires substantial > reformatting, > >> which takes time. In other words, in my Windows 11 PC I can open & print > >> the fifes archived in the 386, but have to devote a lot of time to > >> reformatting. I would like to print files directly from the 386, where > >> conversion and reformatting are not necessary. Basic documents make it > >> through the conversion process better than those that are heavily > >> formatted. Most of my documents are heavily formatted. > >> I know that recent versions of Windows claim they run DOS programs. In > the > >> Windows Search function, look for "open an MS-DOS program from a command > >> prompt window" and/or ""allocating system resources for an MS-DOS based > >> programs." I have not tried these options but, even if they work, I > would > >> rather spend my time on things other than learning the tricks to run > this > >> option. > >> Repairing a 386 doesn't make financial sense, but it makes > time-efficiency > >> sense. > >> Taking the machine to a repair shop would probably not work; these shops > >> work on newer machines. Among the members of your organization, are > there > >> people who might take the challenge? > >> > >> Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > >

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rsx-11m v4.2
by Dave McGuire 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

On 7/9/25 08:33, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Does anyone have a distribution of RSX-11M V4.2? I'm installing on > an 11/34 and looking for a version that has both TM-11 tape drive > and DEUNA support. I have the 4.1 RL distribution kit, and the 4.8 "big disk" kit. I don't recall if 4.1 has DEUNA support; you'd have to check the SPD. You could do a sysgen of 4.8 under simh from the "big disk" kit and then copy to your target media. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

2 3

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by Bill Degnan 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

Battery. B On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hello and welcome to the group > Just a quick question or two and a couple of pointers on what to check. > > You say the fan comes on so you know it has power. > Do you see any other lights on including keyboard lights? > > If you see no other lights and no signs of life other than the power > fan,it seems to me as if you have AC power only and you don’t have any DC > power. > > Which means the power supply is not functioning properly, probably a blown > fuse. > > With the storms we’ve been having lately I wouldn’t be surprised. > > Because of its age, the power supply needs to be tested completely and to > be made sure that it has parts that are 100% reliable. > > This, I am sure, can be done at any of the up upcoming repair workshops at > InfoAge wall Township nj. > > While we do not have all of the parts to fix everything, we can certainly > help you test it out and see if the power supply is working properly. > > Other things can be tested as well if the power supply works, sometimes a > deep dive can be done, depending on how much time there is. > If you’re handy with a multimeter, > > You can do a quick test checking for 12 V and 5 v @ the connectors for the > floppy drive or hard drive or even the motherboard. > I personally have not been to attend any of the workshops recently and > this weekend has a big swap meet up in North Jersey, so I will not be there > at a workshop on Sunday for sure. > So I figured this might get you started ! > > Mike Rosen > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jul 10, 2025, at 11:33 AM, cuesnj--- via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "cuesnj(a)aim.com" <cuesnj(a)aim.com> > To: "vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org" <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:01:37 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC > Jeff Brace (see below) referred me to your groups as ones that might help > me with the issue I described in my Jul. 8 email to him. Would be delighted > to hear from you. > Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ > > Hello Jesus, > Our local chapter (MARCH) which operates out of InfoAge Science and > History Museums in Wall, NJ has a discussion list where you might be able > to get local members to help you: > https://lists.vcfed.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlanticWe also have a > repair workshop once a month: > https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/. The next one is this > weekend. There are lots of people that can help.There is also our online > Forum: forum.vcfed.org where you can post your questions to the world and > get answers. > Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. > Jeff Brace > > On Tue, Jul 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM cuesnj(a)aim.com <cuesnj(a)aim.com> wrote: > > I have an IBM 386 PS/2 PC that has served me well since I bought it years > ago. It's having a problem now: When I press the power switch, I hear the > fan (if I put my hand in front of the fan, feel the air coming out of the > machine). On the screen I get the words NO SIGNAL. The normal DOS-loading > screens do not show. The floppy drive light does not light up. Because A - > - - > C is the boot sequence, that the floppy light does not come on > suggests the boot sequence does not begin. > All data are backed up; I'm at no risk of losing anything. I'm considering > repairing the unit, if that's possible, for the reason I go on to describe. > I taught college for 30+ years, so many files in the PC are formatted in > Word Perfect 5.1 & an early version of Microsoft Word. Though I retired > from f/t work I adjunct regularly. Occasionally, an old file, in its > original version or edited, is what I need for a class or another project. > On my Windows 11 machine I have recent versions of Word Perfect & Word, > where I can open these files. But this requires substantial reformatting, > which takes time. In other words, in my Windows 11 PC I can open & print > the fifes archived in the 386, but have to devote a lot of time to > reformatting. I would like to print files directly from the 386, where > conversion and reformatting are not necessary. Basic documents make it > through the conversion process better than those that are heavily > formatted. Most of my documents are heavily formatted. > I know that recent versions of Windows claim they run DOS programs. In the > Windows Search function, look for "open an MS-DOS program from a command > prompt window" and/or ""allocating system resources for an MS-DOS based > programs." I have not tried these options but, even if they work, I would > rather spend my time on things other than learning the tricks to run this > option. > Repairing a 386 doesn't make financial sense, but it makes time-efficiency > sense. > Taking the machine to a repair shop would probably not work; these shops > work on newer machines. Among the members of your organization, are there > people who might take the challenge? > > Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ > > > >

3 2

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by Sentrytv 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

Hello and welcome to the group Just a quick question or two and a couple of pointers on what to check. You say the fan comes on so you know it has power. Do you see any other lights on including keyboard lights? If you see no other lights and no signs of life other than the power fan,it seems to me as if you have AC power only and you don’t have any DC power. Which means the power supply is not functioning properly, probably a blown fuse. With the storms we’ve been having lately I wouldn’t be surprised. Because of its age, the power supply needs to be tested completely and to be made sure that it has parts that are 100% reliable. This, I am sure, can be done at any of the up upcoming repair workshops at InfoAge wall Township nj. While we do not have all of the parts to fix everything, we can certainly help you test it out and see if the power supply is working properly. Other things can be tested as well if the power supply works, sometimes a deep dive can be done, depending on how much time there is. If you’re handy with a multimeter, You can do a quick test checking for 12 V and 5 v @ the connectors for the floppy drive or hard drive or even the motherboard. I personally have not been to attend any of the workshops recently and this weekend has a big swap meet up in North Jersey, so I will not be there at a workshop on Sunday for sure. So I figured this might get you started ! Mike Rosen Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Jul 10, 2025, at 11:33 AM, cuesnj--- via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >

1 1

REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by cuesnj＠aim.com 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

Jeff Brace (see below) referred me to your groups as ones that might help me with the issue I described in my Jul. 8 email to him. Would be delighted to hear from you. Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ Hello Jesus, Our local chapter (MARCH) which operates out of InfoAge Science and History Museums in Wall, NJ has a discussion list where you might be able to get local members to help you: https://lists.vcfed.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlanticWe also have a repair workshop once a month: https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/. The next one is this weekend. There are lots of people that can help.There is also our online Forum: forum.vcfed.org where you can post your questions to the world and get answers. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. Jeff Brace On Tue, Jul 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM cuesnj(a)aim.com <cuesnj(a)aim.com> wrote: I have an IBM 386 PS/2 PC that has served me well since I bought it years ago. It's having a problem now: When I press the power switch, I hear the fan (if I put my hand in front of the fan, feel the air coming out of the machine). On the screen I get the words NO SIGNAL. The normal DOS-loading screens do not show. The floppy drive light does not light up. Because A - - - > C is the boot sequence, that the floppy light does not come on suggests the boot sequence does not begin. All data are backed up; I'm at no risk of losing anything. I'm considering repairing the unit, if that's possible, for the reason I go on to describe. I taught college for 30+ years, so many files in the PC are formatted in Word Perfect 5.1 & an early version of Microsoft Word. Though I retired from f/t work I adjunct regularly. Occasionally, an old file, in its original version or edited, is what I need for a class or another project. On my Windows 11 machine I have recent versions of Word Perfect & Word, where I can open these files. But this requires substantial reformatting, which takes time. In other words, in my Windows 11 PC I can open & print the fifes archived in the 386, but have to devote a lot of time to reformatting. I would like to print files directly from the 386, where conversion and reformatting are not necessary. Basic documents make it through the conversion process better than those that are heavily formatted. Most of my documents are heavily formatted. I know that recent versions of Windows claim they run DOS programs. In the Windows Search function, look for "open an MS-DOS program from a command prompt window" and/or ""allocating system resources for an MS-DOS based programs." I have not tried these options but, even if they work, I would rather spend my time on things other than learning the tricks to run this option. Repairing a 386 doesn't make financial sense, but it makes time-efficiency sense. Taking the machine to a repair shop would probably not work; these shops work on newer machines. Among the members of your organization, are there people who might take the challenge? Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rsx-11m v4.2
by Dave Shevett 09 Jul '25

09 Jul '25

I have a weird take on this. I needed RSX-11 for my /73 project, and what I did was take the disk image from my PiDP/11 SIMH directories and image that onto the SD card for the SCSI drive in the 11. Worked like a champ. https://wfjm.github.io/home/w11/inst/systems.html On Wed, Jul 9, 2025 at 8:33 AM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hi All, > Does anyone have a distribution of RSX-11M V4.2? I'm installing on an > 11/34 and looking for a version that has both TM-11 tape drive and DEUNA > support. > Thanks, > Mike Rieker > > > -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

2 1

rsx-11m v4.2
by wmrieker＠nii.net 09 Jul '25

09 Jul '25

Hi All, Does anyone have a distribution of RSX-11M V4.2? I'm installing on an 11/34 and looking for a version that has both TM-11 tape drive and DEUNA support. Thanks, Mike Rieker

1 0