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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

I found this floppy drive in an IBM computer, even if I found a connector for this floppy drive I'm not sure where the other end would connect to, I didn't see anything on the motherboard that would indicate where it would connect to does anyone have any ideas where it would connect to?

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Unfair_Audience5743@reddit

there should be a floppy controller card in one of the add-in slots. at least that is what my IBM 5150 uses. This is a bit later so I'm not 100%

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

I wonder why the controller got ripped out, I can see why the hard drive got ripped out, it was a rental, and then I picked it up in an estate sale

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1337C4k3@reddit

Because the T in TPC stands for Tempest. These were designed to meet NSA spec/NATO cert.

Think of the main purpose as for classified/sensitive data or a critical system that would not be vulnerable to RF interference. These were Government/Military PC AT.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempest_%28codename%29?wprov=sfla1

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

That would explain the RF blocking technology I saw in the computer when I took it apart.

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1337C4k3@reddit

Because the T in TPC stands for Tempest. These were designed to meet NSA spec/NATO cert.

Think of the main purpose for classified/sensitive data or a critical system that would not be vulnerable to RF interference. These were Government/Military PC AT.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempest_%28codename%29?wprov=sfla1

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glencanyon@reddit

That's a nice looking motherboard and some great add-on cards. Great find! For a replacement controller, I would keep it generic. Something like this.Floppy Cable. CF to IDE adapter. CF Card. You'll probably want a 3.5" floppy drive too.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

Thank you. I appreciate the links.

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FeistyDay5172@reddit

Quick find so far. Floppy Cable

Will allow both 3.5 and 5.25 floppy drive connections.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

thank you

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felixthecat59@reddit

The edge connector is the data cable to the motherboard connection.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

thank you

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

Interesting computer. The motherboard appears to be the genuine IBM 5170 board. And that IBM EGA card with the memory add on is pricey.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

Really, this is actually worth something? Are you referring to the computer itself or just the memory card?

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

Can you post photos of the computer case? From the front, back, etc

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TiFshdCX6fmskMxgYr68EfBP08qXpdt3

Let me know if the link doesn't work and I can repost it.

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

Awesome, never seen such a thing

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

What, the model?
Also there's a reason it says two-person lift it's very heavy

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

From the back sticker, its model 4459 which is also known as the Tempest version of IBM AT.

Some info here

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the post, it was certainly an interesting read

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

No worries. As for the floppy connector. Pretty standard for that era. And you should be able to use a standard floppy controller and a cable with that type of connector.

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

Would be good to see the silver badge on the front

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

When I get home from work i can

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

Yes to start the card on the far left appears to be a genuine IBM EGA card which can go for many hundreds.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

I took some new images if anyone is interested

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TiFshdCX6fmskMxgYr68EfBP08qXpdt3

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1337C4k3@reddit

TPC1 and TPC4 are pretty cool. Some of the connectors are different on TPC4 vs the AT. They had 6 shielded TPC version of of keyboard. I know the TPC1 version had DE-9 instead of 5-pin DIN. The Tempest keyboards and monitors are on the rarer side.

For a mainly government/military computer you would have thought a lot more would have survived by being put into storage. I don't know why they didn't call them TPC XT and TPC AT, unless not calling them that was part of data security. Make everyone think it was 100% different hardware.

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CAStrash@reddit

Edge connector, but you're missing your HDD/FDD controller from the looks of it so you need to find one to do anything with it. I haven't seen this exact machine since I was 5 or so. Its the 286 IBM PC XT from the looks of the motherboard.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the information, the computer itself is labeled “IBM TPC 4 system unit” I tried doing research on this machine it seems like it could have been a design that was used for multiple purposes so the chassis was most likely reused at some point in other designs

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CAStrash@reddit

Heres one that will work if you're curious.

Hopefully reddit doesn't block the link to ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326016390871?_skw=ide+controller+card+isa&itmmeta=01JA6XBRS1G50QKCGSJDZ37K92&hash=item4be81756d7:g:YBYAAOSwinll0jB7&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKn6NhBL8T7z3ijEXIbBv2eNorgSzUzkV8NlHroksQJQhQzNsMDUniEl5%2BHAAsuOqDQTt5g7dadwi8Ow8aDRPazlpIXxDALL2730JnmAm20qrRrsQLZSn5SkzXEqI1senfGvLw9k2iSE%2Ffo2nrU5Ogx99Fc6ToByOre8YeDJXyoPmy3DEzj34oNTK6BALdnZ--TrD0j%2FeOcMvT%2BJZLt8FIoNPAXqUeeqzmQw8L%2BHsa9mWIA35Y8CmleiXhgsvYqjX4c%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8qMr93RZA

Description below

GoldStar Prime 2C Multi I/O Controller Serial, Parallel, Floppy, IDE - ISA CARDGoldStar Prime 2C Multi I/O Controller Serial, Parallel, Floppy, IDE - ISA CARD

I used this model a bunch on vintage 286's 386 and bad 486's without VLB.

Just a heads up if you plan to get this running, its going to be a slow 286. the IBM stuff was much slower than the clones.

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Distribution-Radiant@reddit

And so many people don't know that LG was a budget brand in the 80s and 90s, known as Goldstar (LG is "Lucky Goldstar"). They make some of the best OLED panels now.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

Thanks for this information and the link I really appreciate it.
Also the computer works already I just need a way to read data from the floppy disks. When I first tried using the floppy disk drive I thought maybe it was broken or dirty but when I took it apart I realized there was only power connected to it and nothing was connected to the data lines :V

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therealmrbuzzy@reddit

I think the XT 286 had simm memory near the power connector (?)

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hrf3420@reddit

Is this some industrial converted AT?

Also you need the floppy cable. Older cables had both idc and card-edge connectors like you are seeing.

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WTFpe0ple@reddit

Yeah, I worked on hundreds and hundreds of those as well as the XT's and all the ones that followed the AT in the ps/2 line and I never seen one of those but I did find this on the wiki page.

IBM released the 5531 Industrial Computer in 1984, arguably the first "industrial PC". The IBM 7531, an industrial version of the IBM AT PC was released May 21, 1985

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

I think the one I have is a bit of a later version everything in the computer, monitor, and keyboard is labeled 1987

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

The computer itself is an IBM TPC 4 system unit.
Please excuse my lack of knowledge I'm not well versed in old computing technology.
Unfortunately this computer did not come with any connectors with it so I need to figure out what that type of connector would be called so I can purchase a new one

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pinko_zinko@reddit

Many floppy cables had the edge connectors like your drive, but with the typical 34 pin connectors also and on the end for the controller. If you shop for floppy drive ribbon cables you should see some with the big edge connectors in them. Some will have 5 total connectors: end for the controller, then 2x pairs for old (edge) style and newer drives.

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analog_rnr@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the information