| S) 1.0: Introduction |
| Q) 1.1 | What does this FAQ cover and how do I use this FAQ? |
| Q) 1.2 | What are the different PS/2s and their features? |
| Q) 1.2a | What are the different Processor Complexes and their features? |
| Q) 1.3 | What are the IBM brand MCA cards? |
| Q) 1.4 | Where do I get a Reference Disk for my PS/2? |
| Q) 1.4a | Where can I get a Reference Disk for my non-IBM MCA System? |
| Q) 1.5 | Which file does what on my Reference Disk? |
| Q) 1.6 | What does the Reference Disk do? |
| Q) 1.7 | Accessing the Advanced Diagnostics |
| Q) 1.8 | Why can't I copy my Reference Disk, I want to make a backup? |
| Q) 1.9 | I got the Reference Disk, but now it is saying I need an Option
Diskette/or giving me a 165 error at POST...What are Option
Diskettes and Where do I get them? |
| Q) 1.10 | I got the Option Diskette, but the Refdisk is telling me no option files can be found, What am I doing wrong? |
| Q) 1.10a | I copied the option's ADF to the refdisk, but Setup can't find it! |
| Q) 1.11 | I bought my PS/2 second hand who can I get tech support from? |
| Q) 1.12 | IBM tech. support says they do not know my answer now what? |
| Q) 1.13 | Where can I find support on the internet? |
| Q) 1.14 | How do I tell what an IBM MCA card with no labeling is? |
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| S) 2.0: Motherboards (Planars) |
| Q) 2.1 | Where can I find a PS/2 motherboard? |
| Q) 2.2 | Instead of a 'stock', can I get a more advanced board? |
| Q) 2.3 | Will a standard motherboard work in a PS/2? |
| Q) 2.4 | What planars come with cache and are more recent. |
| Q) 2.5 | Which planars allow/prohibit additional on-board memory? |
| Q) 2.6 | Can I use normal 72-pin SIMMs? 30-pin SIMMs? |
| Q) 2.7 | How do I tell the speed of the SIMMs I have on my planar? |
| Q) 2.8 | What speed SIMMs do I need? |
| Q) 2.9 | How good is MCA and what does it offer? |
| Q) 2.10 | Which is better, ISA/EISA/VLB/PCI/etc? |
| Q) 2.11 | Will an ISA card work in an MCA (PS/2) machine? |
| Q) 2.12 | How do I enter the CMOS configuration menu? |
| Q) 2.13 | What is bus mastering anyway? |
| |
| S) 3.0: IO controllers/interfaces |
| Q) 3.1 | How do IDE/MFM/RLL/ESDI/SCSI interfaces work? |
| Q) 3.2 | How can I tell if I have MFM/RLL/ESDI/IDE/SCSI? |
| Q) 3.3 | Why won't my two hard drives work together? |
| Q) 3.4 | How do I install a second controller? |
| Q) 3.4a | Second IBM controller dumps W9x into MS-DOS mode! |
| Q) 3.5 | Which is better, SCSI or IDE or ESDI? |
| Q) 3.6 | Can MFM/RLL/ESDI/IDE and SCSI coexist? |
| Q) 3.6a | Can I use an IDE controller in my 85 / 90 / 95? |
| Q) 3.7 | Difference between SCSI and SCSI-2. |
| Q) 3.7a | Common transfer rates of MCA SCSI Controllers |
| Q) 3.8 | Can I use a non-IBM ESDI in a PS/2? |
| Q) 3.8a | Can I use an AS/400 drive? |
| Q) 3.9 | Do I need a reference disk for my SCSI drive? |
| Q) 3.10 | What is a 16550UART and do I need one? |
| Q) 3.11 | Should I buy an internal or external modem? |
| Q) 3.12 | What kinds of sound cards are available? |
| Q) 3.13 | Can I run both a SoundBlaster and the Audiovation/A? |
| Q) 3.14 | Can I fake a keyboard so my computer will boot without it? |
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| S) 4.0: Upgrading Processor/Coprocessor/Disks/Video/CDROM |
| Q) 4.1 | Don't have money for a new computer or planar, what can I do? |
| Q) 4.2 | What are the Benchmarks for the Processor Upgrades? |
| Q) 4.3 | Which Math Co-Processor do I use? |
| Q) 4.4 | Can I replace my slow stock HD with a faster and larger one? |
| Q) 4.5 | Can I add a second FD and what type will work with my PS/2? |
| Q) 4.5a | What is the Third floppy connector for? |
| Q) 4.5b | Will the * floppy drives damage my floppy controller? |
| Q) 4.6 | Is there an SVGA option for PS/2s? |
| Q) 4.7 | How can I add a CD-ROM to my PS/2? |
| Q) 4.7a | Jumper Settings for a CD Rom |
| Q) 4.7b | Installing DOS/W9x on a CD Rom w/IBM SCSI Controller |
| Q) 4.8 | How can I build a Multimedia PS/2? |
| Q) 4.9 | How can I get sound effects in DOOM? |
| Q) 4.10 | Upgrading a Model 90/95 to Pentium 180/200MMX. |
| | |
| S) 5.0: Adding System and Cache memory |
| Q) 5.1 | How do I add memory to my PS/2 off the motherboard? |
| Q) 5.2 | How do I add cache memory to my PS/2? |
| Q) 5.2a | Add up to 2MB of cace to the SCSI w/cache Adapter /A? |
| Q) 5.2b | I added 1MB SIMMs to the SCSI w/cache, now it shows 0KB! |
| Q) 5.3 | Can I use 4MB SIMMs when 1 or 2MB SIMMs are listed? |
| Q) 5.4 | Who has memory the cheapest? |
| Q) 5.5 | Is there a way to identify a PS/2 RAM card or SIMM? |
| Q) 5.6 | What is the ECC memory options on some of the newer PS/2s? |
| Q) 5.6a | What is this setting for ECC-P for on my 9585 (all models)? |
| Q) 5.7 | What cache size do I have/can upgrade to? |
| | |
| S) 6.0: Diagnostics |
| Q) 6.1 | What do the POST beeps mean? |
| Q) 6.2 | What do the POST codes mean? |
| Q) 6.2a | What do the CP codes mean? |
| Q) 6.3 | How can a system boot OK , but the refdisk reports errors? |
| Q) 6.4 | How can I *REALLY* find out if these errors are just bogus? |
| Q) 6.5 | OK I got a problem, who can I get to fix it? |
| Q) 6.6 | What are the wrap plugs the refdisk sometimes refers too? |
| | |
| S) 7.0: Misc |
| Q) 7.1 | What is the pin out for ...? |
| Q) 7.2 | What is the special SCSI connector by IBM? |
| Q) 7.2a | Making a SCSI Cable for an IBM 50 pin edgecard internal port |
| Q) 7.2b | Making a Fast/Wide SCSI Cable for the IBM F/W SCSI Adapter |
| Q) 7.3 | Where are benchmark programs located. What do they mean? |
| | |
| S) 8.0: Operating Systems (OS) |
| Q) 8.1 | Can I run UNIX on my PS/2? Which UNIX variety works? |
| Q) 8.2 | Why won't certain UNIXs run on my PS/2? |
| Q) 8.3 | What is better for the PS/2, MSDOS or PCDOS? |
| Q) 8.4 | Can I run Windows? What would I need? |
| Q) 8.5 | Can I run Win95/98? What would I need? |
| Q) 8.5a(1) | Can I run Win98? What would I need? |
| Q) 8.5a | Blank Screen Under MS-DOS Mode |
| Q) 8.5b | Can't See >16MB or >64MB Under W95 |
| Q) 8.5c | W95 Does Not See IDE Controller on MCA System |
| Q) 8.6 | Can I run Linux now? |
| | |
| S) 9.0 References |
| Q) 9.1 | Who makes upgrades for a PS/2 computer (company phone #'s) |
| Q) 9.2 | Is there automated FAX help available? |
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| Appendix A: MCA Brand Card and Part Listing |
| | |
| Appendix B: IBM Reference Diskette Listing |
| App B.1 | Starter/Reference Disks |
| App B.2 | Diagnostic Disks |
| App B.3 | Microcode Update Disks |
| App B.4 | Option Disks |
| App B.5 | Driver Disks |
| App B.6 | ADF Files |
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| Appendix C: ADF Modification for dual SB and Audiovation/A use |
| Appendix D: Error Codes |
| Appendix E: Pinouts |
| Appendix F: PS/2 Sound Cards |