IBM PC AT

The IBM PC AT was IBM's second generation PC (if you consider the XT an extension of the original PC). It was introduced in 1984 and included several "new" features such as a 6 MHz Intel 80286 processor, a 1.2MB 5.25" floppy drive and an improved keyboard. The typical AT sold with a 20 or 30 MB hard drive and 512K of RAM.

The IBM AT in my collection is one of the most pristine ones I've ever seen. It is immaculate inside and out and even has the original Computer Memories Inc. hard drive (there are very few of these that didn't fail early in their lives.)

The rear of the unit shows the slot ports as well as the lack of a cassette port.

IBM took an oddball route to adding RAM to the AT. To conserve money and motherboard space they piggybacked RAM chips on the 512K version of the board.

In addition, this AT has all of the original documentation, the original plastic "trim plate" that cleaned up the appearance of the back of the machine and even the original IBM logo keys to lock and unlock the case and keyboard.

The machine also came with an early version of Microsoft Word and a very early Microsoft Mouse.

(Submitted February 25, 2008 14:51:28 by Slam1263)

Hey, I've got one, with keyboard, Hayes Modem. Who wants it? I can throw in an unopened DOS 5.0, but they are on 3.5's. So you would have to convert.

(Submitted February 22, 2008 07:19:48 by phil)

I'm looking at the dram dips in my Ibm Pc At. I really don't know how big they are. I'm looking at 4 banks of 8 drams. I wonder if I can replace the drams with ones that hold more data. Is there a reason why the drams must be a certain size. If so what is the size? what is the reason? If the banks were larger, managers and extenders like Himem and Emm286 and Mscdex and PharLap etc, should use it. Do I need to hunt down an Isa card with memory on it, to get the thrill?

(Submitted February 12, 2008 17:10:11 by Cat Vaska)

my first IBM motherboard: http://phantom.sannata.ru/cgi- bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi? forum=7&topic=1024&start=0

(Submitted January 14, 2008 15:27:19 by chris)

my teacher just dumped a couple of these, along with the clones, i was able to rescue the hdd from one if you want it along with the card it was attached to.

too bad i didnt see this site befroehand

(Submitted December 29, 2007 12:20:27 by stilgar)

can anyone send me measurments and drawings of the case. I would like to reproduce one for a speacial progect. thanks

(Submitted November 27, 2007 21:17:26 by Luisito Portolaso)

How can I change into English the BIOS language set up of my IBM PC

(Submitted October 10, 2007 10:15:41 by Marco)

Hi Eric ! Would like to purchas your (PC AT with all tech. manuals ) as submitted June 5, 07 Yes, the price ? I do have XT, ( gone to sleep ) Let me know please

(Submitted September 22, 2007 22:06:26 by claudette)

help! can anybody tell me what are the available ports that can be used for interfacing in IBM PC, IBM AT, or IBM XT?

(Submitted September 18, 2007 11:58:03 by Brian K)

I have a 5170 pc at does anyone one have the setup dist for it thanks

(Submitted August 11, 2007 13:04:33 by Jason Moore)

Help! I need some old bitmap files off an old Packard Bell 486 from 1996. But DOS reads that the operating system is dead. I found the battery soldered to the motherboard, but where do I get a new one? OR...can I pull off the data another cheap way?????

(Submitted August 3, 2007 18:27:13 by marcus)

As somebody currently trying to restore an AT class machine (actually IBM PC XT 286 aka 5162) I am absolutely astonished that the GTO and TechRef manuals are not available online in PDF or IBM Script or BookManager format. Or are they? Please somebody prove me wrong!

(Submitted July 30, 2007 22:42:51 by Paul Gavez)

Hi Eric ! Would like to purchas your (PC AT with all tech. manuals ) as submitted June 5, 07 Yes, the price ? I do have XT, ( gone to sleep ) Let me know please ! Paul Gavez

(Submitted June 5, 2007 20:46:47 by pc at)

i have a pc-at for sale, I'm including ALL tech-manuals and original secret Microsoft notebook on writing TSR's, portland, oregon,

includes $15k atron-debugger, everything still works fine,

(Submitted May 25, 2007 09:23:19 by Ian Williams)

I'm looking for a Windows 3.1 computer to play early 90s game like Quest for Glory and King's Quest and the like. Does anyone have a working computer they might sell me that would play these games or know of a good place to look for one?

(Submitted May 6, 2007 09:30:22 by Rick)

I just bought a PC/AT complete at a garage sale for 5.00. It boots to bios but doesnt recognize the disk drives or the hard drive. Does anyone know where I can get manuals system disks and technical info from. Thanks Rick

(Submitted April 29, 2007 02:43:50 by (a href=mailto:steve.harrisATshaw.ca)Steve Harris(/a))

Boy - what memories this brings back - used to install SCO Xenix on these guys and run some Wyse terminals off a multiport card (can't remember the brand).

Thanks for the pictures.

(Submitted April 10, 2007 16:15:47 by (a href=mailto:)THROBiX(/a))

I had one like this once, but the weird thing is that I remember that mine had a 386 CPU! Could that be correct? And it had a standard 3.5 floppy drive as well.

(Submitted April 4, 2007 07:00:35 by reji)

i have one ibm pc . i need that system boot from cd drive. how can i change this in bios set up. the system is very old. may be processer is p1 or p2

(Submitted March 26, 2007 09:03:41 by A909)

I collection Microsoft Mouse for a long time ,I came from China,I have some old mouse for IBM.I love old mouse.Could you help me to find the Microsoft first mousegreen eyedmouse?

(Submitted February 6, 2007 12:03:12 by Ahmed)

my ibm machine has a different language but English. can u tell me how to change it to English? it's bios setting has been disturbed. could u please tell me how to set it right. thank u very much in advance.

(Submitted January 12, 2007 21:03:47 by Flydaddy)

I need and old 286 to program some very old radios we use for ham fun. It just needs a small HDD & floppy. Anyone have anythig reasonable/ barry

(Submitted January 7, 2007 01:33:51 by Eugen Arestoteles)

where can i find the architecture of the pc at?

(Submitted November 29, 2006 11:35:42 by CHIRAG)

HELLO! I WANT TO FULL INFORMATION ABOUT IBM PC AT SYSTEM. I WANT TO GIVE SEMINAR ON IBM PC AT SYSTEM SO PLZ SEND BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS AND MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU...

(Submitted November 17, 2006 00:30:47 by Todd)

I am looking for bios setup program for old computers (286) ibm compatibles

(Submitted October 13, 2006 15:19:57 by ogotemelli)

to sale : (perfect state)

« Guide d’utilisation Ordinateur personnel AT IBM » (French Version) HARD BOX including : Two originals floppy disks : - « Diagnostics pour le PC AT IBM » ref : 62X9345 files readable, date : 3-12-86, including : VERSION.203 « © COPYRIGHT IBM CORP 1982, 198 » - « A la découverte de l’Ordinateur Personnel AT IBM » ref : 62X9348 including : COMMAND.COM 17664 bytes, 11-22-85, 12 :00p - « Informations de mise en service » ref : 62X9501 - « Guide d’utilisation PC AT » ref : 62X9343 first publishing © 1986

make proposal if interested

(Submitted September 8, 2006 16:38:32 by airjet1981)

I am looking for an IBM AT in the UK, if anyone has one please let me know.

I did post a few messages down, but I put my email address down incorrectly. So if you sent me an email before, please send it again!

(Submitted August 10, 2006 22:59:04 by Gary)

I have an IBM AT that has some files ( wp 5.0- 5.01 )and others from and old business that I would like to recover. Unfortunately the sysdyne model 1331 monitor for it has failed and I can not find another compatible one. Any suggestions as to how best I can get to see the files and/or convert them.

(Submitted August 3, 2006 01:19:04 by Daniel)

I have several old computers and some parts for sale. IBM PC, cases, keyboards, hard drives, disks, XT, 286, 386, 486 systems. Some Packard Bell, Tandy and Compaq. I should have some DOS and a few other softwares and utilities.

(Submitted July 19, 2006 09:57:10 by Adam T)

I have 12 IBM xp and PC's do they have any value ?

(Submitted July 10, 2006 04:04:21 by airjet1981)

I'm looking for an IBM AT in the UK, if you have one pls let me know!

(Submitted May 12, 2006 01:20:10 by sankar)

some notes related to PC PC-XT Pc-At pentium ,II,III,IV its more helpful for my studies thank you

(Submitted April 11, 2006 23:53:58 by Dave)

I recently found a complete computer simular to this one...model 3270,can you tell me anything about it..it does run-but has a issue...but I'll fix that. I also ran accross a 5273 Chassis,Ive probobly got the case for it somewhere,Do you know where it fits in...any help would be appreciated. canuck46

(Submitted March 16, 2006 00:37:15 by wisnu Sanjaya)

I Have PC IMB Intel Based, Intel PCISet SB82371SB. I Can'nt detect my CD ROM with the BIOS, anybody know?

(Submitted March 14, 2006 12:29:19 by LosBee)

You would never get XP to run on an old vintage machine such as this, not unless you ripped out the guts and forced an ATX board in it. And why would you want to do that?! Updating or flashing your bios all depends on the machine model and motherboard type. The older machines cannot be flashed, so if it is one of those you are stuck with your chinese characters. Search the net once you know your machine model.

I have one of these ATs and it's a real classic. Just fitted a single speed CDROM just for the fun of it! 20mb Mitsubishi MR522-M40 hard drive is in it. Still working 100%. Fitted VGA card in it as no EGA screen anymore, but now looking to add some XMS memory via an ISA upgrade board, when I find one.

Also, the PSU is not original so I am seeking one of those too to complete things.

Most ATs must have seen the scrap heap by now, so it's nice to see some are being preserved!

(Submitted January 16, 2006 00:37:11 by Kombo)

I have old ibm computer window xp installed ram 128M, The bios is in Chinese Characters which I cant read, Can anyone help with the bios updating to English. pc not booting due to bad Hard disk, And I wand to setup a new hard disk

(Submitted January 2, 2006 14:00:56 by Catalin Baleanu)

Hello! I have an IBM Personal Computer 350. It doesn't have any electrical source. What source do I need? Where could I find the user manual for this old IBM computer?

(Submitted December 6, 2005 07:08:22 by Dale)

I have lots of AT related stuff. I have orginal AT manuals (in the book cases), cards, add ons like 6157 tape drive, motherboards, memory, diags diskettes etc. I also have the orginal AT bios code and can burn new eproms (I have lots of 256 eproms also).

(Submitted December 5, 2005 00:00:46 by noor)

i like ram in pc

how its work

whats its speed

ex...

(Submitted November 4, 2005 11:10:08 by Dottie)

I have some files I need to retrieve off a 5 1/4 floppy. I used the disk on my father's old IBM PC. I had this awesome program called Kidwriter manufactured by Tandy. I wrote so many funny stories with that program. I think my best option is to buy an old PC and print out the files. It wouldn't matter what computer model it is, right? I would probably have to install the software again also, right? Could I retrieve the files just as text (.txt)? Please help this damsel in distress.

(Submitted October 2, 2005 07:38:34 by Jens Laland)

Hi, I'm looking for someone willing to share a copy of the IBM AT Technical Reference Manual (i.e. xerox copy, pdf, or whatever).

(Submitted September 20, 2005 04:11:42 by Cliff)

Hi. Can anyone recommend a source for purchasing vintage IBM PC,AT or similar computers? They don't need to function properly. Vintage MACs would be great as well. Thanks.

(Submitted August 30, 2005 03:38:13 by Walter)

Hello! I have a Sharp mz 800,complete with box ,manuals and software,perfect like new. I want to sell this pc. Best regards Walter from Italy

(Submitted August 6, 2005 23:07:04 by (a href=mailto:)Ergo(/a))

8 years ago I have it :)

(Submitted July 15, 2005 01:01:07 by Jacob Ubwey)

I too, have IBM Personal Computer 350 and would like to have the setup disk (its startup disk) if I could be directed where to get it or download. Jacob

(Submitted July 15, 2005 00:58:26 by Jacob Ubwey)

My comment: Keep this page as it help us a lot. Those who have old PCs and enjoy with the old technology really are well helped by this page.

Thanks. Jacob

(Submitted June 28, 2005 15:41:32 by David)

I, too, need a 5 1/4 BIOS setup floppy for an IBM PC AT Model 5170. I see a lot of requests, but no pointers to a place to get it. Can anyone help?

(Submitted June 20, 2005 14:52:47 by Gerald Hooper)

How do I unlock the IBM PC Pentium Case to get at the contents? There are no screws visable only a lock symbol on the top of the case next to a small rectangular keyhole for which I have no key. HELP

(Submitted May 27, 2005 00:07:34 by (a href=mailto:tobi01AThotmail.com)Tobias(/a))

Hello

Have anybody else an Image File of these 2 Bios Chips wich are on the Motherboard ? I don't mean an image from the Setup disk . ( this i still have ) i Mean the Data of the Eprom's IC's .

Thanks regards , Tobi

(Submitted April 23, 2005 13:25:46 by Pam A.)

Any clue where I can get MS Word 5 for DOS files on 5 1/4 floppies copied to newer media (3 1/2 diskettes or CDs)for conversion to Windows XP files?

(Submitted March 23, 2005 19:44:32 by Chris)

I've posted some information, including an image of the AT setup floppy, for download at http://timeguy.com

(Submitted March 6, 2005 10:58:42 by Jaime)

Hi, I have an IBM 5170, and need a 5 1/4 BIOS setup floppy for it (the batteries died, and the original disk is no longer around). I was wondering if you had one around, and could make a copy. I would be willing to compensate you for your trouble.

(Submitted March 5, 2005 04:51:17 by Kemboi)

Hi, I have a refurbished IBM machine model 6862v10, Bios date 07/14/1999, and need BIOS setup floppy for it (the original disk is no longer around). How can I create a copy.

(Submitted February 23, 2005 19:52:51 by kenneth)

I need a W98/95 driver for a Video-Tv-capture, (model MG9910-20893) card installed in a COMPAQ CDTV748. I need info about this PC: parts, specs...too. I would thank help, please...

(Submitted January 16, 2005 08:08:39 by Frank Hbner)

Hi, I got an old IBM 5170 and need the setup utility, since I want to change the 5 1/4 floppy drive to a 3 1/2 drive. someone able to help? Thanks

PS: email in formular is open just for 2 emails, dont like to get spam from robots :-) Read the next lines as email adres :-)

Frank.Huebner-Muenchen a t web.de

(Submitted January 11, 2005 05:28:47 by meeran)

I WANT THE INSIDE PICTURE AND EXPLAIN OF IBM PC

(Submitted January 9, 2005 08:05:19 by Fathima)

I need the detailed description of inside the IBM pc

(Submitted December 10, 2004 22:01:05 by ajay)

i want complete information about ibm pc advance technology

(Submitted December 10, 2004 21:54:27 by ajay)

i want complete information about ibm pc advance technology

(Submitted December 2, 2004 00:15:43 by Mike)

If anyone happens to have the setup disk for this, or at least a copy they can email me, it would be much appreciated, thanks!

(Submitted November 9, 2004 11:49:22 by Erik)

Hopefully you still have the original documentation and software for your AT, John. If you boot with the Diagnostics disk you can reset the system options so that the machine will recognize the hard drive.

You've also probably got a dead CMOS battery (usually attached to the inside of the machine by velcro and plugged into the motherboard.)

Please email me directly if you have trouble locating the disk.

(Submitted November 7, 2004 08:45:42 by John Twito)

IBM model 5170 PC/AT has been working for 20 yrs - my Dad plays Cribbage King on it, but now goes to IBM Basic on boot - 162 error, System options not set; run SETUP; press F1 to resume. F1 goes to IBM Basic. Does anyone know: 1. the command to exit from Basic or 2. How to run the Setup utility? Make my Dad happy. Thanks.

(Submitted September 7, 2004 04:36:44 by colin fergusson)

i have an old compaq 486 computer i know that this isnt related but dose anybody have the MSDOS 4/5/6.22 operating system anywhere? as i have the first disk as the others were smashed from one of my brothers tantrums. if you have can you please copy them and send them to the above address thanks for all your troubles! Colin

(Submitted July 8, 2004 07:43:23 by Peter Hogan)

Description
Manufacturer	International Business Machines Corporation
Model	5170 IBM PC AT (Advanced Technology)
Date Announced	1984
Date Canceled	1987
Number Produced	Hundreds of Thousands+
Country of Origin	USA
Price	Approximately $6,000 base
Current Value	$10-$100

Specifications
Processor	Intel 80286
Speed	6 MHz at introduction, later 8 MHz
RAM	256K-16MB
ROM	64K
Storage	5.25" HD floppy drive (1.2 MB), Internal hard drive (20 MB+)
Expansion	8 expansion slots
Bus	IBM 16 bit slots, 2 ISA slots
Video	Typically EGA - 640x350x64 colors max.
I/O	Parallel, Serial
OS Options	MS-DOS, CP/M-86, Early versions of Windows, other environments (UCSD-P, for example)

Notes	The IBM PC-AT was the first upgrade from the basic PC architecture introduced in 1981 (the XT expanded storage options, but not the processor, bus, chipset, etc.) The first ATs were released with a conservative 6 MHz processor which was quickly upgraded to 8 MHz. The BIOS allowed for the definition of aftermarket hard drives. The AT also introduced the 1.2 MB high-density 5.25" floppy drive which became an industry standard until the advent of 3.5" disk drives.

Related Items in Collection	Other IBMs and compatibles including Columbia VP, Compaq Portable, IBM PC and IBM PC Convertible
Related Items Wanted	IBM EGA monitor and card.