Re: Intro AS/400

On Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 1:37 AM, Kevin Bowling <kevin.bowling@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

So I guess I should make it clear - AS/400-i Series-System i... they are
all the same to me and I just want an inexpensive system as an
introduction to learn and play with. Again, CPU power or modern OS and
software are not that important. If anyone has one sitting offline at
work, or sees something on eBay, let me know! Thanks for the
suggestions thus far.

this system might meet your needs:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-as-400e-computer-server-as-400-9406-170-system_W0QQitemZ270312060125QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCOMP_EN_Workstations?hash=item270312060125&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

the model 170 dates from around 2000 and is very reliable hardware
wise. a lot of spare parts are available. I would avoid the double
wide models, which I think is feature 2290. Those models are too heavy
for one person to lift on their own.

on the legacy models like the 170 I would definitely choose a twinax
system console.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-AS-400-terminal_W0QQitemZ310079293378QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

For that to work you need a twinax controller card in the system. If
the 170 does not have one, it is easy enough to buy on ebay. Install
is simple task.

To boot and logon to the system you need the QSECOFR password. To
reinstall the OS from tape you need the DST password that was in
effect when the tape was created.

To program the system PDM, SEU and the RPG compiler is needed. PDM
and SEU are for editing. RPG is for compiling. Many models on EBAY
will come with the OS installed, but no editor and no compiler.

-Steve