Thinkpads Forum

So back in the day, IBM made desktop workstations with RISC CPU's.

I picked up a 7043-150 (43P-150). It's a little newer than my ThinkPad 820, but it will run AIX 4.2 as well.
The 820 has devices in it that drivers were never written for after version AIX 4.2. The 43P-150 has a newer 16MB video card that there is no driver in 4.2, but there is in 4.3 and after.

All the device firmware and updates are still hidden/lost on the IBM ftp server. Took a few days of hunting to find SCSI ID setting manuals (1998) for each drive in the unit.

The last firmware version (microcode) allows AIX 5.3 32-bit to be installed. I just need to find a copy not on DVD.

250MHz CPU (I have a 375MHz CPU and cache card).
896MB RAM
4.5GB HDD (x2)
DDS3 Tape (12GB-24GB)
SCSI CD-ROM (40x)
2.88MB FDD (I tested it since I had 3 disks. It works)
16MB 3D graphics card
PCI SCSI-2 adapter (external port only)

Now running AIX 5.2 TL10 SP8

I have AIX 5.3 on 8x CDs. I already have ISO images of them I could give you if we can find a convenient way to transfer.

I've also got 2-3 of those 43Ps at work that we'll probably be trashing sometime soon. Let me know if you need any spare parts.

Another good option for an AIX machine to play with is the pSeries 510 9110-510 - 2U rackmount, POWER5 CPU, can run AIX 7, uses DDR memory which is pretty common and cheap on ebay; the 51A is POWER5+ using DDR2 memory which is not as common.
I've been watching these on ebay for a while debating whether I want to spend that much money.

I didn't know I had a response.

jdrou wrote:I have AIX 5.3 on 8x CDs. I already have ISO images of them I could give you if we can find a convenient way to transfer.

I could setup temp FTP access. I'll PM you if that will work (and there is storage available).

jdrou wrote:I've also got 2-3 of those 43Ps at work that we'll probably be trashing sometime soon. Let me know if you need any spare parts.

I was looking for/thinking about the DVD drive, but then I couldn't go back to AIX 4.x since there is no driver.
I just discovered my dds3 drive won't write, I think it may "actually" have a damaged head.
I had a 256MB DIMM fail so I used a 64MB. Which is why I'm at 896MB RAM

jdrou wrote:"Another good option for an AIX machine to play with is the pSeries 510 9110-510 - 2U rackmount,

I think my spouse ... it would just not be a good thing for me to bring rack equipment home. I or it my not survive.

If you guys end up FTPing AIX, let me know (I'd like to store a copy of on mine as well).

I have a POWER5 box which will need AIX 5 reinstalled at some point. It's a tower though, not a rack

micrex22 wrote:If you guys end up FTPing AIX, let me know (I'd like to store a copy of on mine as well).

I have a POWER5 box which will need AIX 5 reinstalled at some point. It's a tower though, not a rack

I did upload them to the OP. If you've got an ftp site PM me the address and I'll upload.