Personal System/2 Model 80 Information and Software

System Type: 8580

The IBM PS/2 Model 80 was a higher-end workstation class computer released in 1987.

A lot of these particular machines found use in many businesses and schools: making them a more common model to be found. The reason being that they offered some of the larger storage methods (being able to hold two 5.25" full height hard disks), and also supporting many Micro Channel memory card add-ons to expand the system's memory beyond what would have been possible with conventional SIMMs. Generally these were aimed as workstations, whereas an end user would have commonly purchased something like a PS/2 Model 50.

 

Manuals

--> Technical Reference

--> ESDI Fixed Disk Drive Adapter/A Technical Reference

--> PS/2 3.5" FDD Technical Reference

Downloads

Pending

 

Model Differences

There were some fairly major differences between early and later Model 80s (really the later versions are completely redesigned from the original-- just using many of the same components). Here are a comparison of some of the differences along with variances of the motherboards-- keep in mind that some earlier machines could have some later components (such as later FDDs), there's no 'law' defining these to be absolute.

 

8580 0x1, 1x1, 3x1

8580 Axx

It's really idiotic that only the later systems had cache added: IBM could have at least made cache an 'option' rather than exclude it entirely on the "0x1, 1x1, 3x1" motherboards.

 

Model 80 Restoration

Like many PS/2s and PS/2 peripherals, the Model 80 uses the tri-lead tantalum. You can order either kement replacements with the same polarity arrangement, or replace them with standard electrolytic capacitors. Since they're vintage tantalums, they can explode (and have been recorded to explode in various systems from age).

Always solder the positive lead to the center, it doesn't matter which negative hole you use. This system was developed so it didn't matter which orientation the pick-and-place machine would deploy the components.

In regards to recapping the power supplies (which I highly recommend), use power supply series capacitories for the two decouplers. Depending on which power supply you have, you may receive one which is riveted shut, or if you're lucky it'll have security torx bits allowing it to easily open up. The PSUs that are rivted shut will have LOW QUALITY electrolytics inside which can lead to a failure if they're not replaced in time.

DO NOT RECAP THE POWER SUPPLY IF IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN POWERED ON. LET IT SIT FOR A FEW DAYS. Also ensure the large capacitors are discharged when you start working on it just in case. Proceed at your own risk, I take no liability.

The diskette drives on the Model 80 (and any other corresponding PS/2s that use the same FRU) are noted to develop problems over a period of time. The best ones to work with are the mitsubishi drives (MF355W-99M3). If the capacitors have failed, simply rock them side-to-side until they snap off-- then solder on a through-hole capacitor on its side, ensure the leads don't touch anything else. The traces are very strong so don't worry about breaking anything. I tried removing the original surface mount capacitors the 'right' way, but it ended up (ironically) damaging the pad as the solder is just too old to work with and didn't melt properly.

 

Blue Lightning Upgrade on the Model 80

There are some very important things you need to know when you have the blue lightning upgrade installed in your model 80: granted not many systems have it installed as I take it these upgrade kits sold in few numbers. Be aware that the Blue Lightning has L1 cache which the 386 bus isn't 'native' to which can require it to being disabled. If you don't you'll most likely get the error code '00010400' in the reference diskette system test. The IBM documentation covers here:

IBM PS/2 Blue Lightning Processor Upgrade
FRU P/N 13H6701
MKT P/N OP7080Y

The Blue Lightning Processor replaces the 80386DX microprocessor on the system board and emulates the presence of the original 80386DX, so no special software is required. The Blue Lightning Processor Upgrade is fully compatible with operating systems that are capable of running on an 80486 microprocessor. (incl. OS/2 and DOS)
It also supports bus mastering adapters, if they are present in the system.

Important Always run the DIAGNOSTIC TESTs with the Blue Lightning Processor Upgrade cache disabled. (BANK-1 SW-1 OFF = cache disable for testing purposes !)

In some cases, with the Blue Lightning installed, the diagnostic tests might indicate an error. Try to replace the Upgrade board with the origin 386DX. If the diags are OK the adapter is fully functional and will also work with the Blue Lightning Upgrade.

This Processor update can be installed on one of the following computers: 8570, 8580 with 80386 Microprocessors.

You must use 8570/80 Reference Diskette Version 1.10 or later.

The upgrade kit contains:

Default Switch settings are:

Switch Bank 1 SW-1 SW-2 SW-3 SW-4    
  ON Off Off Off    
Switch Bank 2 SW-1 SW-2 SW-3 SW-4 SW-5 SW-6
  ON ON ON Off ON Off

Switch Bank 1 function

SW # Setting Controls Remarks
1 ON (D)
Off		 Cache on at startup
Cache off at startup		 this switch is only read at
Power-ON.
2 ON
Off (D)		 Flush cache on INT 9
Do not flush cache on INT 9		 -
3 ON
Off (D)		 Flush cache on INT 10d
Do not flush cache on INT 10d		 -
4 ON
Off (D)		 Flush cache on INT 11d
Do not flush cache on INT 11d		 -

Switch Bank 2 function

SW # Setting Controls Remarks
1 ON (D)
Off		 Flush cache on INT 14d
Do not flush cache on INT 14d		 -
2 ON (D)
Off		 Fast RAM count
Slow RAM count		 This switch caches the read-only
(ROM) from the adapters. This only
affects the power-on self-test.
If the computer stops after the
RAM count is complete, turn this
switch OFF and restart the computer.
The RAM count is slower, however,
performance after the computer
starts, is not affected.
3 ON (D)
Off		 Cache all extended memory
No caching from 14MB to 16MB		 Set this switch to OFF if you
have memory-mapped devices that
use memory in the 14Mb-16Mb region.
4 Off (D) (Reserved) Do not change this switch
5 ON (D) (Reserved) Do not change this switch
6 ON
Off (D)		 Flush cache on INT 15d
Do not flush cache on INT 15d		 If you have a SCSI hard disk
drive, this switch must be set
to ON.

Installing the Blue Lightning Upgrade

  1.  Power-OFF the computer
  2.  Remove the Power-Cable
  3.  Open/lift the Machine cover
  4.  Remove Hard Disk(s) / Adapters (so you can freely operate with the  already installed Microprocessor)
  5.  Locate the Processor on the System Board (Pin 1)
  6.  Remove the Processor (80386)
  7.  If the machine is a 8580 mod 111 121 311 or 321 then install the 132-Pin  PGA socket Extender (Pin-1 to Pin-1)
  8.  Install the Blue Lightning Board into Processor/PGA socket  (be sure PIN-1 to Pin-1)
  9.  If your machine have an SCSI Adapter, then on Switch Bank 2 / SW-6 must be set to ON.
  10.  Reinstall all previously removed Cable/Adapter
  11.  Reconnect the Power cord
  12.  Power-ON the system

Utility Diskette

To control the cache speed under OS/2 or DOS (but not a DOS session under OS/2) without restarting the computer, insert the Utility Diskette in drive A and at the prompt:

  1.  Type A: to change to the root directory of drive A.
  2.  Type slow to disable the Blue Lightning cache
      --- or ---
     Type fast to enable the Blue Lightning cache.

To permanently affect caching options, use SW-1 on bank 1.

 

FRUs for various pieces of hardware

As usual it can be difficult to scour for common FRUs, so here are some notable ones.

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