Re: eBay 170

Answers in line....

Here is the "official specs" on the 170's in general:

http://www1.ibmlink.ibm.com/cgi-bin/master?request=salesmanual&parms=SMS&xh=h1YXPjuNNod0Bw1USenGnN9332&xhi=usa.main%7Csalesmanual%5E&type=D&search=&title=T&product=9406-170

"James W. Kilgore" wrote:
>
> Howdy,

> >From what I can see the machine that they purchased is a 170 with processor
> feature 2164 which puts them at a CPW of 210/29.  They currently have a CPW of
> 16.8 (although the CICS machines had a bias towards interactive) and both
> machines are in the P10 group.  From this I gather that software price will 
>not
> cause sticker shock.

Should not be bad at all... V3 to V4 upgrades are available at very
reasonable prices...

> The web page at eBay has conflicting information about the OS level.  The text
> above the specification bullets states that this IBM refurbished machine is at
> V4R4, but the bullets say V4R2.  I'll have to see what we wind up with, but
> where can I find out what it will take to get them to V4R5?

It's very unlikely they are at V4R2 .... V4R3 or better is my guess...

They can purchase "one shot deal" V3 to V4 upgrades on software they
currently hold a license with. If they want software subscription, that
will cost them "more money"... It's not a requirement....

The term "Currency Access Fee" will come up.... This cost $$$$
and must be paid in the first 30 days of acquiring the system...

If you just want to get them to V4R5 .... fairly painless...
but the software subscription could be a "little" pricey.....


> This is the other part, beside OS upgrade cost, that I have questions about.
> They have several high volume dot matrix printers (4234 IPDS and 6400 
>emulating
> 4234) that are, and would like to continue to be, twinax attached.  (If you 
>want
> to know why, just check the archives for things like copies and page range)  
>So
> what is the cost and where can I purchase a twinax (single port) controller?
> (Other than from IBM)

It would be almost remarkable for them to NOT have a twinax
controller.....
I have never seen a machine without one.....
>
> They also have a SPD ASCII workstation controller that they would like to
> continue to use, but can live without.  The question is: does the 170 have any
> SPD slots or is it all PCI.

The ethernet adapter connection will handle most of that....

>
> I've tried looking for the above information at the IBM site but they are not
> very accommodating to those looking for information on "legacy" equipment.

The Sales manual has almost all of the information you are looking
for....