Help to Troubleshoot IBM 300PL-6862-82U

I recently aquired an old IBM 300PL 6862-82U computer at a tag sale and
put in new RAM totalling 768MB( RAM used was 3 256MB DIMM-nonECC The machine booted up to the IBM blue screen
and tried to boot using Escape and or F1. key. Nothing happened when the keyboard
keys were used. My monitor is a VGA unit and the keyboard used is an IBM PS/2.
Any thoughts on the problem.

Thanks
Fred

 

Memory not compatable

Hey Fred,

Glad someone else out there has an interest in keeping one of these old IBM 300 PL dinosaurs going. I have one of these I got for free at a garage sale a couple of years ago, it worked but not very fast. I thought I'd install more memory to see if I could make it a little faster.
Trying several sticks of memory I had around, I discovered not all memory is compatable with the motherboard in these. I tried several brands before discovering some Micron memory worked.
I read somewhere these will work with up to 768mb of PC133 memory, even though according to IBM max memory is 384 PC100. In mine I was able to install 3 sticks 256mb PC133 each to get the full 768mb. I had 1 stick of Micron brand 256mb, and I bought 2 more used pieces off of ebay. If I remember right, I paid about $20.00 including shipping. If you need to buy memory for this, that is what what I would recommend. Spending more than that just isn't worth it for one of these old things.

 

To captain Bob

Thanks for your comment but IBM does not recommend this type of memory.
Did you have the same problems that I have with the keyboard and mouse not
functioning. Let me know If I can contact you directly.
Thanks
fredfs

 

Fred:

Sorry for the long time to reply--too much life getting in the way of my computer hobby.

Okay, to answer you on contacting directly, I would prefer to correspond here for a couple of reasons-- 1) I can just imagine what I would get in my mail box or what ever else if I posted any personal contact information here, 2) perhaps someone else could learn from our conversations here, I’ve learned lots from reading posts from people trying to solve problems on here and other forums, 3) maybe someone else can contribute to our conversation, and 4) my computer tech knowledge is average at best, most of what I have learned I have read about or have learned tinkering around with my old stuff.

Now with that said, maybe we need to start from the beginning again with your old IBM 300PL-- You say when you turn it on, you get the blue IBM screen, I’m thinking if it does show the IBM screen when you turn it on then the memory is compatible, sorry for the misdiagnosis. I think on the bottom it says "Press F1 to enter BIOS" or something like that. You say pressing F1 nothing happens-- Does the computer hang there on that IBM screen- doesn’t go past that? Normally it should only show that for a few seconds, then automatically boot into whatever operating system is installed. You shouldn't have to press any keys or do anything to boot in to the OS. My old 300 PL originally came with Windows 2000. I've since installed XP on it. Anyway, after the IBM screen it should say "Windows xxxx" whichever operating system it is for a few more seconds (or a minute or two, I forget how long it used to take these old systems to boot) and then show the desktop.

If it stays there on the IBM blue screen, nothing else happens, then there could be a lot of things that could be the problem. Bad motherboard, CPU, maybe power supply, hard drive--is there a hard drive in it?

This computer is really too old to be worth putting any serious money into. I’ve collected a lot of computer junk over the years I got for free or very little from garage sales, thrift shops, or given to me by friends and relatives. Mixing and matching parts from all the old stuff I was able to figure out what was wrong with a few and get them working for very little money. Unless you have that ability, I wouldn’t suggest putting a lot of time or money into it, especially when you can buy a good working basic used system for $50.00-$100.00 these days, with windows XP and a few other goodies installed, or a new system from Best Buy or Walmart for about $300.00 with Windows 7, direct X 10 graphics, 2 GB memory 500gb or more 7200 rpm sata hard drive, etc, etc, the old IBM 300PL would be no comparison in speed and capability to even an inexpensive new system. And what you would spend in parts trying to figure out what is going on you would be best spent towards something newer.

If you are serious about getting it working, you would have to try switching out some parts to see what is going on. Post back here and let me now what it is doing, so we can suggest what to do next. --The Captain