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IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

IBM or Lenovo Desktops, Workstations, ThinkStations, etc. Recent vintage, hardware/software..
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ThinkPad560X
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IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#1 Post by ThinkPad560X » Wed Apr 05, 2017 12:58 am

I have a nice condition almost looks new IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z and the white casing is still white and not yellowing. It didn't come with a HDD when I bought it way back and bought the largest that it would handle, a 120MB ESDI HDD.

I wanted to install Windows 95 at the highest on this machine but the floppy boots and says "This version of Windows requires a 386 processor" This desktop is a 286 Processor. I even tried Windows 3.1 floppies and just boots to a blinking post. So no OS on the machine. Is their a way to upgrade the processor chip to a 386 or even a 486?
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

axur-delmeria
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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#2 Post by axur-delmeria » Wed Apr 05, 2017 1:33 am

I found this page: http://john.ccac.rwth-aachen.de:8000/alf/ps2_50z/

There's a picture of an IBM SLC/50 upgrade board here:

Image

But it necessitates modification, as this part mentions:
This machine doesn't have the original 286 CPU. I upgraded it with an SLC/50 CPU module made by Kingston that gives a nice performance boost and allows to run 32-bit software. Originally, this module was made for 286 machines with a PGA socket for the CPU. IBM however switched to the cheaper PLCC case with the 50Z, so I had to unsolder the CPU socket and replace it with a PGA type. One could still put the 286 back in place because it is possible to put a PLCC socket on top of a PGA socket. The module itself offers a slot for a 387SX coprocessor; you cannot keep a 287 coprocessor when upgrading. That's not as bad as it sounds since a FP emulation on a 50MHz CPU is almost as fast as an old 287.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#3 Post by ThinkPad560X » Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:00 am

I found some of these boards and even a brand new Kingston upgrade kit for IBM Model 50Z for $99
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KINGSTON-SX-20- ... SwWxNYwH8X

and a few more of these boards but they are out of my price range of upgrading this computer for its age.
They are too much money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KINGSTON-KTM-SX ... Swd0BV03RY
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#4 Post by ThinkPad560X » Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:16 am

I don't know if the processor has pins on it or not, but the 386 processors them selves are cheap.

Here is what it has. "bottom page"

http://patcomps.weebly.com/

I'm guessing the 10 at the end means it has a 10Mhz processor.

The Processor chart. The socket has a PLC and the 386 has a PGA
(Copy Paste entire link)

http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/964/In ... 6-16).html
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

axur-delmeria
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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#5 Post by axur-delmeria » Wed Apr 05, 2017 3:27 am

You cannot plug in a 386DX processor into a 286 board. Besides the socket difference, the 386DX uses a 32-bit data bus, while the 286 is 16-bit only.

The 386SX works because it has a 16-bit bus like the 286, but the two are not pin-compatible so upgrade boards like the Kingston ones are needed.

The IBM SLC/50 works because it's also derived from the 386SX, albeit with a built-in 8KB L1 cache.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#6 Post by ThinkPad560X » Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:26 am

After reading on that link you'll have to solder a PLCC socket onto it where the PGA socket is.
I was going to buy the new $99 board. I noticed that the board had pins under it and looked at a 286 online to see how mine looks without removing it since I don't have the removal tool.

The PGA socket is different. http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-N80286-10 ... Sw~otWeidV

I thought it was going to be a plug n play removal of the 286 Processor and install the adapter board.
I don't think it would be worth the money and I really don't solder and my eyes are bad anymore, if anything motherboard wise I still install memory "RAM" or CPU swap upgrades.

So the next move for the computer is how can I install Windows 3.1? I put in disk 1 and it just boots to a beeping prompt
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

axur-delmeria
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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#7 Post by axur-delmeria » Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:32 am

A deeper search leads to this: http://www.walshcomptech.com/ps2/kingston.htm#sxlcmd, which is apparently a Kingston 386SX upgrade module designed specifically for the 50Z, so no modding required.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#8 Post by ThinkPad560X » Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:36 pm

So these will not fit mine as I have a SXxxLCMD Model. The SXNow LEM model is used on the 25-286 and 30-286 systems. It is designed exclusively for those systems, and will not fit correctly in the 50Z

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KINGSTON-SX-20- ... SwWxNYwH8X

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KINGSTON-KTM-SX ... Swd0BV03RY

These are the only ones I could find on ebay.
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#9 Post by ThinkPad560X » Thu Apr 06, 2017 1:12 pm

I bought the $99 brand new item. The seller said it should work and fit.
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#10 Post by micrex22 » Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:37 am

ThinkPad560X wrote:I bought the $99 brand new item. The seller said it should work and fit.
It should if it's explicitly designed for the 50Z.

I have a 286-to-486 adapter running on my PS/2 30-286 motherboard.

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#11 Post by ThinkPad560X » Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:40 pm

It says for IBM 50Z models on the Kingston card.

I went and got a White IBM 15" LCD monitor to fit well with the IBM 8550 50Z desktop. It will also fit well with my IBM Aptiva and IBM Personal Computer 300GL. I already have 2 IBM CRT monitors. 1 basic tube and 1 true flat tube. Another would be a lot of room to take up.
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

axur-delmeria
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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#12 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:46 pm

Report to us once you receive it. I'd like to know how much of a performance increase these little boards can give. :D
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#13 Post by ThinkPad560X » Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:54 pm

Image of the desktop with monitor. http://patcomps.weebly.com/
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

axur-delmeria
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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#14 Post by axur-delmeria » Sat Apr 08, 2017 12:20 am

The screen matches well with the desktop even with a 15-year (or so) gap between the two, thanks to IBM's approach to aesthetics.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#15 Post by ThinkPad560X » Sat Apr 08, 2017 1:13 am

I am going to be checking all my PCs CPU specs Name and its code name and need a simple plug and play software that can run on Windows 95-10. What is the easy to use CPU checker software?

I got CPU-Z and it works out fine for me.
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

axur-delmeria
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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#16 Post by axur-delmeria » Sat Apr 08, 2017 1:34 am

Did you use the separate win98 version from the official site? I have no computer with win95 to confirm if it works.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#17 Post by ThinkPad560X » Sat Apr 08, 2017 2:38 am

I only did on Windows 2000 Pro so far. Trying to update Windows 98 but its not working anymore.
IBM: 760XD,770Z,600X,240,560X,560Z,570,380Z,390X,i1200,i1400,
A22m,A22e,A30,G40,R31,R40,R50,R60,R61,R400,R500,
T20,T23,T30,T40,T43,T60,T61,T400,T400s,T500,W500,W700,
X21,X30,X41,X41T,X60,X60T,X200,X200T,X300,X120e,Z60m,Z61tT410T410sT510T420T420sT520
T430T430sT430UT530T470T470sT470pT570SL500L470L570

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#18 Post by IainBD » Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:28 am

Hey, Did you ever get the Kingston SLC\Now card for your 50z? I had one and it worked great. The 50z was my first venture into PC land and i kept it and upgraded it alot before eventually buying a pentium. I had purchased the 8MB upgrade board populated with 8x1MB SIMMs for a system total of 10MB. I had also purchased a SCSI controller. Initially I created a 6 MB ramdisk, use Stacker 4.0 to compress the drive and had the boot sequence copy the windows 3.11 directory to the compressed ramdisk and run windows from there. It was quite fast, and benched faster than a real 486\33, even though it was only a 10Mhz bus. When I got the pentium, i ended up convert the 50z to a Netware 3.12 server to help me with my Certified Netware Engineer designation work. It was only a couple of years ago when I finally took it to the recycler. I loved that old PS2. The ability to pretty much hang any device off the MCA bus was amazing.

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Re: IBM Personal System 2 8550 50Z Processor upgrade

#19 Post by AlphaKilo470 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:44 am

You're not going to get those Windows 3.1 floppies to boot because they don't have anything to boot on them. They just contain the install files for Windows 3.1. You still need an MS-DOS boot floppy. You will also need to first partition and format the hard drive and install MS-DOS.

Here's a link to a site that might help you get started:
http://www.bootdisk.com

You might also need to boot from the reference disk to make sure the BIOS is configured for the newer hard drive you installed. You can get that here:
http://www.walshcomptech.com/selectpccbbs/
Latitude E7250: i5 5300U 2.3ghz, 12gb RAM, 12" 1080p touch, 256gb SSD, Win 10, Linux Mint 18.2
HP Compaq 6910p: 2GHZ C2D T6400, 4gb RAM, 14.1" WXGA, 500gb WD Blue, Linux Mint 18.2
ThinkPad T60: 2GHZ CD T2500, 2gb RAM, 14.1" XGA, 60gb 7k100, Win 7 Ult

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