Welcome to Valorosoit, the blog where we explore the fascinating world of retrocomputer and vintage electronics. Today I will tell you the story of a lost package, then found, of a questionable packaging and the nasty surprises encountered with my purchase: an IBM PS/2 Model 30 for spare parts.
The mystery of the lost package, refunded and found
The story begins a few months ago, when I ordered a IBM PS/2 Model 30 For spare parts on Wallapop. The package had never arrived and had been refunded to me. After some time, I received an email from the BRT courier who announced the delivery of a mysterious pack of about 10 kg ... my surprise was great, having not recently ordered anything about that weight.
The opening of the package immediately reveals a problem: a poor packaging. The box is damaged, opened in several places and, apparently, also re-capped. It's a prime example of how you shouldn't pack a computer. In fact, you need to leave a lot of space, filled with bubble wrap or other packaging material, between the contents of the package and the edge of the box. In this package, the computer touches the edges of the box!
The joy of receiving a lost package is slowly fading.
The damaged contents of the IBM PS/2 model 30 for spares
Questionable packaging caused the computer to break in multiple places. The faceplate is cracked in one corner.
The back of the computer is also damaged.
Opening the computer, this turns out to be a real disaster! Not only is there external damage caused by transport, but the interior also looks bad: oxidized and very dirty.
Despite the precarious aspect of this IBM PS/2 Model 30 for spare parts, I decide to recover the RAM, the 20MB hard disk and the 3.5 -inch 720kb floppy disk.
These components must be tested by installing them in a working computer of the same model.
Checking the components
After installing the components on a working computer of the same model (IBM PS/2 model 30 with Intel 8086 processor), here is the test result.
RAM: ok, it works! I have 2 30 pin SIMMs, 256KB each, extra for spares.
Hard disk: not working, unfortunately. The computer shows the error “1701 Fixed disk error”.
Floppy disk drive: this doesn't work either. The computer shows the error “disk boot failure”.
This is a sadness, considering that the intent was to obtain functioning spare parts. Luckily, due to the loss of the package, I was refunded!
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