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Supersoft/Landmark Diagnostic ROMs for IBM 5170


Version 1.2.0

On an IBM 5170 motherboard, sockets U27 and U47 are where the two Supersoft/Landmark ROMs needs to be placed.

The 5170 motherboard requires EPROMs of type 27256 or 27C256 (or equivalent), rated at 150 ns or less.
Burn the following images to such EPROMs, then place the EPROMs in sockets U27 and U47.

U27 image
U47 image


Important Notes:

There is a 20 second delay before anything is seen on the display.  Be patient.     <--- Do not fall for this trap 
At power-on time, this AT version of the Supersoft/Landmark ROMs is known to erroneously beep the speaker with a pattern that the user's manual (page 40/41) indicates "Cannot initialize monitor".
Some video cards will not work with this AT version of the Supersoft/Landmark ROMs.

- My functional IBM MDA card does not work (no beeps, no display).  My second functional IBM MDA card does the same.
- My IBM CGA card works.
- My IBM EGA card (only 64 KB RAM fitted) will display, but poorly.  Supersoft appears to think that I have CGA.

- My clone MDA card (unbranded) works.
- My clone CGA card (unbranded) works.
- My clone EGA card (an AST-3G) initially displays this, but then displays normally once the EGA memory test has finished.

- None of my VGA cards work.  More information here.

On a 6 MHz 5170, the PROTECTED MODE CPU  test takes 25 seconds to complete.  Be patient.
On my fully functional IBM 5170 motherboards, the  PROTECTED MODE CPU  test does something odd.  Three things happen:
    1. On the speaker, I hear the error pattern for "Cannot initialize monitor".
    2. If I am using an IBM CGA video card, I see what appears to be 'CGA snow'.
    3. "1 FAILED" is written to the top line.  (photo)
The PROTECTED MODE CPU test is then indicated as "PASSED", then testing continues.


Minor Notes:

The Supersoft/Landmark ROMs even generate a display if there is no RAM on the motherboard.  More information here.
The setting of the SW1 video switch on the 5170 motherboard does not matter.
No battery required.
There is nothing in the manual that indicates that codes are sent to port 80h.
With no keyboard connected, the  U126 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER and  KEYBOARD SCAN LINES  tests pass.
Operation of the A20 gate is not tested.  I was able to prove that by successfully running the Supersoft/Landmark with pin 22 of the 5170's keyboard controller disconnected (pin 22 = line P21).  With pin 22 disconnected, I was also able to prove that A20 gate operation is not required in order for the 5170 motherboard (fitted with IBM BIOS ROMs) to start, display POST output, then jump into BASIC.


Keyboard Controller:

By experimentation:

  IBM BIOS ROM Supersoft/Landmark ROMs Comment
Complete failure POST displays nothing on-screen.
Motherboard appears 'dead'.
POST card shows 0C.
The  PROTECTED MODE CPU  test hangs
(because a reset of the CPU via the keyboard controller cannot occur)
Symptoms can have a different cause
Partial failure - P21 driver
(used for A20 gate)
POST displays on-screen
Keyboard works.
Motherboard can boot to BASIC
No error reported.
Supersoft/Landmark ROMs appear not to test the A20 gate.
 
Partial failure - P26 driver
(used for keyboard clock)
POST displays on-screen, but no keyboard operation
  U126 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER  test =  Fail 
  KEYBOARD SCAN LINES  test =  Fail 
Symptoms can have a different cause.
U116 and U120 are example candidates.
Partial failure - P27 driver
(used for keyboard data)
POST displays on-screen, but no keyboard operation
  U126 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER  test =  Fail 
  KEYBOARD SCAN LINES  test =  Pass 
Symptoms can have a different cause.
U116 is an example candidate.
Partial failure - TEST0 receiver
(used for keyboard clock)
POST displays on-screen, but no keyboard operation
  U126 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER  test =  Fail 
  KEYBOARD SCAN LINES  test =  Fail 
Symptoms can have a different cause.
U116 and U120 are example candidates.
Partial failure - TEST1 receiver
(used for keyboard data)
POST displays on-screen, but no keyboard operation
  U126 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER  test =  Fail 
  KEYBOARD SCAN LINES  test =  Pass 
Symptoms can have a different cause.
U116 is an example candidate.