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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I get a new reference or startup disk for my PS/2 computer?The reference or startup disk for the PS/2 computers can be found on the IBM FTP site.
2. Someone assigned a password to my PS/2 55sx how can I clear it to run the reference diskette?To clear the CMOS memory and your password: The password will be cleared.
3. What is the name for the PS/2 news group?
4. How can I get sound for my microchannel PS/2?We now have a sound solution for microchannel computers! The card is 100% Sound Blaster compatible with DOS, Win3.1, Win95/98, and OS/2. It features the latest in advanced DSP technology and comes with some great software. Now you can enjoy the all the features of your multimedia, presentation, games, music, and entertainment software. The full specs on the MI151 Sound Card are available, including a photo.
5. I have a new copy of the reference disk for my microchannel PS/2. Why do I get a 165 error after running autoconfigure?The ADF file for a microchannel card may not be on your reference diskette. Whenever you add or remove a microchannel adapter card you will need to run the reference disk and configure the system. During the configuration process the system wants to have information on the new adapter card. This information is in the form of a file with an ADF extension (such as @1234.adf). The file is normally supplied by the manufacturer, on a diskette, with the adapter card. The ADF file is unique for each adapter! When you move the card from one computer to an other or even from one slot to another you will need to run the reference disk to reconfigure. The ADF for that adapter must be on the reference disk or the system will beep twice and display a 165 error on the next startup. The problem you may find is locating an ADF file for your card. If it is an IBM card and you know what kind of card it is, you can download it from IBM ftp site (see question #8). If it is made by another company try going to their web site and download it, if possible. See question 9 and 10 for additional information on downloading ADF files.
6. In my microchannel computer colored pictures look ugly. How can I see more colors?All VGA monitors display colors in an analog manner. In other words, the monitor can display an infinite number of colors, but the controller card, which is digital, is dependent on the video memory. The standard VGA controller had 256k of video memory and was limited to 16 colors at 640x480 resolution. Our DS301 IBM XGA2 adapter has 1mb video ram and will display 256 colors at 1024x768, 800x600 and 640x480 resolution. If you have a standard VGA monitor you probably will only be able to select 640x480 which is fine for OS/2 Windows and Windows95/98.
7. Is it OK to have memory that is faster then what is recommended for my computer?There are two factors that affect speed of memory. One is the actual "speed" of the chips and the other is called "presence detect." Most chips are 60ns. A 60ns chip is designed to run at 60ns, but through a set of resistors (presence detect), the SIMM can be re-configured. Presence detect governs the size of the SIMM (4mb, 8mb, 16mb, etc) as well as the speed in which the computer will access the memory (60ns, 70ns, 80ns, etc.). Even though the chips may be rated at 60ns, the presence detect resistors control how the computer sees this memory and will use it. With some systems, such as IBM, it is imperative that you have the presence detect set correctly, otherwise the system will not function properly or perhaps fail to recognize the memory at all.
8. How can I get an ADF (Adapter Description File) file for an IBM brand microchannel card?IBM has ADF files for IBM microchannel cards on their FTP site. The easiest way to locate the file you are looking for is to first download a file called ALLFILES.TXT. Using a text editor, search the descriptions to find the filename of the ADF file you need. You will notice that the list is divided up into categories, such as "Reference & Adapter Diskettes." Just below the category is its sub-directory name such as "/pub/pccbbs/refdisks." Then go to IBM's FTP site and click on that sub-directory to open it. You can right-click on the file name to download it if you are using Netscape or Microsoft Explorer.
9. How can I get an ADF (Adapter Description File) for a non-IBM microchannel card?One very good source for ADF files of older, non-IBM, microchannel cards is at NCR's web site.
10. How can I identify an unknown microchannel controller and determine what ADF file it needs?You must see Peter H. Wendt's Web site and download excellent and free software that will identify a microchannel controller and also give you the ADF file name. Peter has a very large collection of ADF files, all grouped in ADF file name order.
11. My System starts up with two beeps and an error number. What does the error number mean?When the system has more than one beep on startup it will display one or a series of numbers. The numbers are called Error Codes. For a very complete list on the PC and PS/2 error codes see our error code list..
12. Where can I find drivers for the IBM, NEC or Toshiba CD-ROM running on an IBM SCSI Controller?You can download the file SCSICDRM.EXE from the IBM ftp site .
13. How can I download software drivers and installation diskettes for General Technics Products?Go to the General Technics driver download page. 14. Is my IBM computer "Year 2000 Compliant?
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