FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PS/2's
What is the name for the PS/2 news group?
How can I get sound for my microchannel PS/2?
I have a new copy of the reference disk for my PS/2. Why do I get a 165 error
In my microchannel computer coloured pictures look ugly. How can I see more colours?
Is it OK to have memory that is faster then what is recommended for mycomputer?
- PS/2 25:
Place it in an empty directory on a computer's hard disk and type the file name. If you agree to the copyright information it will create a new reference or startup diskette.
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:
Turn off your system.
Unplug the speaker cable from the riser card and plug it in upside down.
Turn it back on, wait for memory to count, and listen for the beep.
Turn the system off, and plug the speaker cable right side up again.
The password will be cleared.
What is the name for the PS/2 news group?
How can I get sound for my microchannel PS/2?
Yes you can get a SoundBlaster MCA card but they cost about £170 (UKP)
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.
Any time you add or remove a microchannel adapter card you 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 would come on a diskette with the adapter card, it is different for each adapter!
When you move the card from one computer to another or even from one slot to another within the same computer you need to run the reference disk and the ADF for that adapter must be on the reference disk.
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. If another company makes it you will have to contact them for the ADF file.
In my microchannel computer coloured pictures look ugly. How can I see more colours?
All VGA monitors display colours in an analogue manner. In other words, the monitor can display an infinite number of colours, 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 colours at 640x480 resolution. Our DS301 IBM XGA2 adapter has 1mb video ram and will display 256 colours 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.
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 recognise the memory at all.