IBM 5170 Setup Disk: A Blast from the Past

Are you feeling nostalgic for the good old days of DOS and floppy disks? Well, dust off your IBM 5170 because we’re going to take a trip down memory lane and set it up with that trusty setup disk.

First things first, let’s talk about what the IBM 5170 is. Released in 1987, the IBM PC AT was IBM’s second-generation PC, and the 5170 model was the high-end version of it. This bad boy came with a 6 MHz Intel 80286 processor, 1 MB of RAM (that’s right, megabyte), and a 20 MB hard drive. It was a powerhouse in its day, and it’s still a fun piece of history to mess around with today.

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Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

• An IBM 5170 computer
• A monitor and keyboard (we don’t want to go back to the days of green screens and punch cards)
• The IBM PC AT setup disk
  

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Six Steps to Setup IBM 5170 Setup Disk

 

Step 1: Insert the Setup Disk

• Insert the Setup Disk Go ahead and insert the setup disk into the A: drive of the IBM 5170. You may need to refer to your computer’s manual for specific instructions on how to do this, as different models may have different processes.

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Step 2: Power On Turn on the computer

• watch as the screen lights up with the IBM logo. If you’re feeling extra nostalgic, you can recite the famous IBM slogan from the 80s: “Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM.”

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Step 3: Boot from the Setup Disk

• Once the computer has booted up, press the F1 key to enter the setup utility. From there, you’ll want to select “Boot from A:” to boot the computer from the setup disk.

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Step 4: Configure the Hardware

• The setup utility will now run a series of tests to check the hardware of your computer. This is where things get a little tricky. If you’re not familiar with the inner workings of a computer from the 80s, you may need to consult a technician. But don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Just keep in mind that this is a computer from the era of analog phones and rotary dials, so you can’t expect it to be as easy as setting up a modern computer.

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Step 5: Install the Operating System

• Assuming everything checks out, you’ll now be prompted to install the operating system. The IBM 5170 came with DOS 3.3, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try installing a different operating system like Windows 3.0 or OS/2.

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Step 6: Configure the Software

• Once the operating system is installed, you’ll need to configure the software. This is where you can get creative and personalize your IBM 5170 to your liking. Add in some games, productivity software, or whatever else you desire.

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Enjoy Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your IBM 5170. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can play some classic games like Wolfenstein 3D, or use it for some serious work like creating a spreadsheet in Lotus 1-2-3.

Closing Thoughts Setting up an IBM 5170 may seem daunting, but it’s a fun and rewarding experience. It’s a great way to appreciate the technological advancements we have today, and to understand just how far we’ve come. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter at parties. “Hey, have you ever set up an IBM 5170? No? Well, let me tell

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