My oldest computer so far

**Mike1286** · 08-19-2016, 09:25 PM

A few days ago I picked up the oldest computer I've come across so far. It's an old IBM 5150. I got it from a close friend's grandpas house. He unfortunately passed away and they called me in to help clear out some stuff and recycle the metal and electronics. I have the keyboard and monitor that came with it. And a printer that looks about from that era. Haven't been able to test anything yet on account of being too busy and having it at my recently acquired storage unit rather than at home. But I will test it before anything. At least see if it boots up or not since I don't have any floppies that came with it. From my searching they don't go for huge money (based on sold ebay listings) so I'm not in any immediate rush to test it for sale. And I have way too much stuff to break down right now so my time is better spent working on that. But I wanted to share my find with you guys since you're the only ones I know that will get excited over a 30+ year old computer. Lol.

**msmoorad** · 08-20-2016, 05:34 AM

pics please
and let us know what u get for it, if u sell it

**jimicrk** · 08-20-2016, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by msmoorad

pics please
and let us know what u get for it, if u sell it

I agree,
Post some pics and you might get some PM's.

**t00nces2** · 08-20-2016, 08:51 AM

See if MS 10 will run on it... Just kidding. Get it running and post the pics.

**Mike1286** · 08-20-2016, 09:12 AM

I'll try to get some pics next time I'm at my unit. And again when i test it if it works. It is a bit dusty and dirty as it sat on a shelf in an unfinished basement for who knows how many years. But when I get it tested and ready to sell, I'll definitely come here first. I'd rather deal with you guys than chance a hassle on ebay.

And t00nces2, I'm more of an xp guy. Not huge on win10. So if anybody has a copy of xp on 5.25 I can borrow I'd much appreciate it. Lol.

**Mike1286** · 08-22-2016, 05:31 PM

Got the computer plugged in and powered up. It shows 1000 201 301 at the top left and flashes controller #0 error. Then stays on with parity check 1. A quick peek on Google looks like it's a ram problem or bad set dip switches. But at least it's a step above scrap.

**t00nces2** · 08-23-2016, 07:59 AM

It is unlikely it would even run Win 95... That is most likely a pure DOS unit. It is early vintage, so it may have some value on ebay, just make sure to account for shipping.

IBM 5150 Personal Computer

Thanks for the pic. Good luck.

**travistemple202020** · 08-23-2016, 09:12 AM

I would say at least $75 as is

**webuyselltradestuff** · 08-23-2016, 12:48 PM

yes that is a BASIC computer, although it might be able to run DOS (DOS requires 512 kb of ram, so it it had the max ram in it it would run). The ABSOLUTE MAX ram it can have is 640K...that is a little over 1/2 of a MEGABYTE of ram...Win 95 requires a min of 4 MB of ram...8 TIMES the max amount this computer can run. In any event, the parity issue looks like a chip issue (I also check google and came across the following link that detailed the error codes). Just means one of the soldered ram chips is bad or a bad connection. Someone can resolder the chip or change it out if they know what they are doing and have access to a vintage ram chip.

I would sell it as is (hell it gets to the boot process, well part way through it) to a collector. Check Ebay of course and then google a few vintage computer forums and possibly advertise there (you might get more). I would include a video with my listing to show the error and that it actually tries to boot). It should help with price. Pack well and send to it's new home unless you collect that sort of thing.

Tezza's Classic Computers Articles and Projects - Fixing a Parity RAM problem on an IBM-PC

**unknownk** · 08-24-2016, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by travistemple202020

I would say at least $75 as is

Depends on quite a few factors. You need GOOD pictures of the front, back insides that people can see chips with.

A word of advice, if you want more then scrap for these old collectable relics you need to invest in a used $10 10MP+ camera off of ebay with a camera tripod (also cheap) and a clean well lit spot to take pictures. Buyers want to see the guts, serial numbers, board numbers, cards installed, etc. in clear detail. There are multiple models of the 5150 from the low serial number original 64K motherboard to many newer revisions that are worth MUCH less. A camera tripod makes a huge difference between shacky pictures and clear ones, also good lighting helps a bunch. There are multiple revisions of the ROMs and power supplies for these units, some worth much more then others.

My oldest computer so far

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