IBM RS/6000 ThinkPad 860 specific notes
Pictures
Notes
PCMCIA slots
The slots are hidden behind a strange lock mechanism that wouldn't open :-(
It took me quite some time (and a little damage) to realize that I had to liften the keyboard
chassis to reach the TP860's interior (see picture above).
Then the lock can easily be removed.
Networking
The TP860 has no genuine network outlet.
I first thought I would be stuck with an autistic machine
since it appeared to be impossible to find the only PCMCIA card
which is reported to be supported.
To my surprise a closer inspection revealed that the
machine came with the appropriate
IBM Ethernet II Credit Card Adapter
(P/N 42H4916) already inserted.
It was just hidden behind the strange lock mechanism,
so I did not recognize it at first glance.
It seems to be in working
condition, but I don't have the appropriate adapter cable for 10BaseT/10Base2.
Fortunately,
I found the very similar
IBM Credit Card Adapter for Ethernet (P/N 0933270)
on $AUCTIONHOUSE,
which seems to work equally well.
Power Supply Issues
The TP860's DC input is labelled "20V".
However, I found some other IBM adapter (P/N 12J1447, FRU P/N 12J1448) delivering
only 16V to work as well. It has the trapezoidal connector necessary for the
860.
The NiMH accu seems to be dead, it can't be charged, it seems.
Data:
9.6V, 3.3Ah, P/N 85G2733, ASM P/N 84G4603, FRU P/N 85G2677.
AIX installation / CD-ROM
I installed AIX 4.1.5, the only version which works w/o tweaks.
The TP860 seems to be very picky, it did not accept CD copies,
and insisted on the internal CD-ROM for installation.
I had no luck using the external SCSI connector with CD-ROM
drives (Plextors and such) I had used for AIX installation on other boxes before.
Note, however, that this might be a spurious observation,
others have reported successful installation with CD copies.
So maybe it depends on the type of media, the burner, or even the phase of the moon.
In any case, give it a try.
Last updated: 17-Jul-2010,
M.Kraemer
