Early IBM Manuals?

[canuck46]

I am looking for a set of the original manuals that would have came with a IBM 5150, Apparantly there were 2 that came with it and a optional DOS manual....I thought I had them but the ones I have were printed in 1984 and the Dos manual I have is for ver. 2.1 .I have a lot of older computer "Stuff" so a trade is desirable if possible. want a Sharpe 6200 Laptop ??? 286,20 Mg HDD,Mono Display-complete with manual but NOT RUNNING. Pics available.
Dave

[mbbrutman]

The 5150 would have only come with a Guide To Operations manual. DOS was an option and DOS was constantly upgraded, so there really is no single version that was shipped with the 5150. You could have anything from 1.0 to 4, depending on the year. Remember, the 5150 was sold from 1981 to 1986 or 1987.

DOS 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 would be very uncommon. DOS 2.1 was a very popular release. The DOS 3.x releases were popular as well. DOS 4 sucked rocks. DOS 5 and DOS 6.x will run on a 5150, but they were introduced after the 5150 was discontinued.

Other manuals you'd be interested in:

- the Technical Reference manual for the machine.
- BASIC .. not sure if it came with the DOS set or the machine. BASIC was built into the machine, but new versions came with each new DOS version.
- the DOS Technical Reference - good for old school programming.

[Erik]

The 5150 shipped with the GTO and BASIC manuals.

DOS 1.0 is/was fairly uncommon (I've got two copies, one bought new in 1981!) but 1.1 was around for a while so there are plenty of copies out there.

2.0 was somewhat common but 2.1 supplanted it quickly and lasted forever.

[mbbrutman]

So what happened when the DOS version came with an updated version of BASIC? I know that BASIC and BASICA from DOS in 2.x and 3.x are different than what is built into the BIOS, yet the one book documents all three.

My recollections from the PCjr are that DOS had just one manual, and that BASIC came with the cartridge. To use the built-in BASIC you had the 'Hands on BASIC book' that came with the PCjr, but I don't know what people with the 5150 or other machines would have had.

Which also begs the questions .. how did the later BASIC manuals get distributed?

[Erik]

So what happened when the DOS version came with an updated version of BASIC? I know that BASIC and BASICA from DOS in 2.x and 3.x are different than what is built into the BIOS, yet the one book documents all three.

I'm not sure. The BASIC manual that came with my original 5150 in 1981 was for the 1.0 version of BASIC. I remember getting update pages for both DOS and BASIC over time, but can't recall from where.

My recollections from the PCjr are that DOS had just one manual, and that BASIC came with the cartridge. To use the built-in BASIC you had the 'Hands on BASIC book' that came with the PCjr, but I don't know what people with the 5150 or other machines would have had.

Sounds about right. The PC and XT machines would have come with the BASIC manual that matched their ROM version.

DOS only updated some of BASIC, not all of it, so the docs would have been tricky.

Which also begs the questions .. how did the later BASIC manuals get distributed?

No idea here. I lost track after the AT. ;)

[Terry Yager]

Be prepared to pay dearly, if you do find what you're looking for. I've seen copies of DOS 1.0 sell for >$500.00 on that famous auction site. Good luck!

--T

[canuck46]

Hm...Apparantly...Ive got the right ones....just didnt know it..!!! I have 2 "guide to Operations"...1 dated 1982,the other 1984. I have a DOS Manual with 2.1 Discs...didnt know they were back there!!! Also have a BASIC guide,apparantly Ver. 3.0. All in good shape. Found a whole bunch of other book/manuals as well...for WP and lotus etc.....I get a list together.
Thanx for all the help.

Dave:)

[dicksch]

I have the following PC manuals some still in their original slipcases:
Guide to Operations PC AT
PC Convertible Tech Reference Manual Vol 1 & 2
PC Guide to Operations (6025000)
Async Communications Support
PS/2 Model 80 Tech Reference Manual
PC Hardware Maint & Service Manual
IBM PC APL Manual
PC Tech Ref Manual This one has the schematics and BIOS listing of the original IBM PC.

[alexkerhead]

Every manual you could ever want.
http://www.thegreenhouse.us/th99/

[Micom 2000]

Have you considered trading or selling the PS/2 Model 80 Tech Reference Manual ? I have a bunch of stuff I could offer.

Lawrence

I have the following PC manuals some still in their original slipcases:
Guide to Operations PC AT
PC Convertible Tech Reference Manual Vol 1 & 2
PC Guide to Operations (6025000)
Async Communications Support
PS/2 Model 80 Tech Reference Manual
PC Hardware Maint & Service Manual
IBM PC APL Manual
PC Tech Ref Manual This one has the schematics and BIOS listing of the original IBM PC.