Ardent Tool of Capitalism

8525 Planar

25start.tg0 Model 25 Starter Disk v1.0 (zipped image)
adv25dia.exe Model 25 Advanced Diagnostics v1.00 (zipped image)

187-148 IBM 8525, PS/2 Model 25
187-149 PS/2 Model 25 Collegiate & Collegiate Kit
188-083 PS/2 Model 25 20MB Fixed Disk Drive and 20MB Fixed Disk Drive with adapter
189-145 IBM PS/2 Model 25 720KB 1-Inch High Diskette Drive Option

ISA Interrupt Sharing (PS/2 Model 25 & 30)
MCGA - Multi-Color Graphics Array

Specification
Model 25 Type 1 Planar
Model 25 Type 2 Planar
Model 25 Japanese Planar
System Firmware
   ROM Images
Riser Card
Graphics Hardware
Upgrades
Floppy Drive
Known Problems

Based on content by William R. Walsh (original HERE). Edited by Major Tom.

Specification

8525-001 has a monochrome ("paper white") display and an 8086 CPU.

8525-004 is the same computing hardware as the 8525-001, only it features a color display. I've seen far more of these with color displays than monochrome ones, so I'm guessing monochrome wasn't as popular of a choice. That seems odd, given the number of standalone PS/2 monochrome monitors I have.

Model 25 Type 1 Planar P/N 00F2073

J8 4-pin header, 3-pins present. (external speaker?)

Note: Despite the drastically different PCB layouts, the reference designators are largely consistent across all 8086-based Model 25 and Model 30 planars.

Model 25 Type 2 Planar FRU P/N 96F7390, P/N 64F0738

Different PCB layout, but the component references and types are the same as on the Type 1 Planar above, except for the following items:

F1 Combined KB/Mouse fuse (F2 not present)

This planar is also used in the IBM 7690 Clinical Workstation.

Model 25 Japanese Planar "IGH0160DAM", P/N 78X8943

Different PCB layout, but the component references and types are the same as on the Type 1 Planar above.

This planar is not listed in the TR/HMM (at least not in the available editions).

Japanese design, manufactured by Panasonic/Matsushita.

System Firmware (POST & BIOS)

Firmware stored in EPROM.

ROM Images

00F2092 / 00F2093 - 26 Jun 1987, rev. 0, 2x 27256 (U17 / U22), typically on Type 1 planar
00F2122 / 00F2123 - 26 Jun 1987, rev. 0, 2x 27256 (U17 / U22), typically on Type 2 planar

Riser Card

Two 8-bit ISA slots. No other components on the riser, aside from a resistor pack.

DIP Memory

I've been told that the 4xNEC D4164 are actually the 256KB upgrade that serve to give you a full 640KB of installed RAM. The SIMMs seemingly provide the base memory. (I'm not real sure I agree with that, since the SIMMs would be so much easier to install for an end user.)

Graphics Hardware

The 8086 variant of the Model 25 has MCGA graphics hardware, wired to work with an analog VGA monitor. MCGA is a curious mixture of different technologies: in addition to all modes supported by a CGA adapter, it supports the low resolution (320x240) 256 color VGA mode and high resolution (640x480) monochrome VGA. However, EGA display modes are not supported.

All other PS/2 Models having a 286 microprocessor (or better) have VGA graphics hardware at a minimum.

More info about MCGA HERE.

Upgrades

I'm not aware of any for the CPU, short of replacing the entire system board. As far as storage goes, something like an XT-IDE board is probably your best bet. Older IDE and SCSI controllers have their own expansion ROM on board may also work. A standard power connector for a hard disk isn't available, though you can add one. (Use the instructions for the 25SX/30-286/55SX ... the Model 25 8086 does NOT use the same power connector as the Model 30 8086!)

There are two internal expansion slots, both of which are 8-bit ISA types.

Memory expansion is limited to boards that provide additional RAM in compliance with the expanded memory specification (EMS).

Floppy Drive

Floppy drives are the bane of a PS/2 collector's existence. Pretty much all of them still in existence today will require repair before they are usable. At a minimum, you'll need to clean the dust and any foreign objects out of the drive. You might as well plan on replacing every one of the surface mounted electrolytic capacitors on the drive's circuit board, and almost certainly cleaning up the corrosive mess left behind.

Although IBM never sold them configured as such, the 8086 version of the PS/2 Model 25 has undocumented high density diskette drive (1.44MB) support. Not all disk drives will work: only the drives manufactured by Sony seem likely to work correctly. Other drives will only be "seen" as a low density type or may not work at all. The floppy drive controller is an NEC 765 or Intel 8272, both of which support high density diskettes, and the BIOS obviously has some support as well. Whichever planar you have in your Model 25 8086 also factors in -- later models are more flexible in regards to which diskette drives will actually work. (The same is true of the PS/2 Model 30.)

Known Problems

Erroneous/False Display Characters (ECA 023)