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IBM 5170  -  Hard Drive Type Number


Presumably you are here because you are trying to determine the 'IBM type number' of a hard drive (fixed drive) in your IBM 5170.
The type number is used in the SETUP of the 5170.

Following are three methods of determing the IBM type number.


IMPORTANT:
 The following is specific to the IBM 5170 (IBM AT).
 
 Some clones that were made of the IBM 5170 use different type numbers.
 
 Example: A Seagate ST-4038 drive is a type 20 on an IBM 5170, but a different type number on certain ALR computers.



Method 1 - Sticker

If your 5170 has its original drive (or authentic replacement), then the IBM type number can be easily determined.
On IBM's direction, makers of hard drives for the IBM 5170 placed the number on the front of the drive.
In the photo below, the large "2" means that the drive is an IBM type 2.





Method 2 - Known Drives

Obtain the maker and model number of the hard drive, and see if it matches one in the following list.

Make and Model
IBM Type
CMI model 6426
 2
Seagate ST-4026
 2
Seagate ST-4038
20
IBM 0665-38
20



Method 3 - Unlucky Last

1.  Obtain the maker and model number of the hard drive, e.g. Seagate ST-225.

2.  From the Internet, use the information determined at step 1 to determine:
     * Count of cylinders
     * Count of heads
     * Sectors Per Track (SPT)
     * Write Pecompensation Cylinder (WPC)

     If the Internet source doesn't show the rated SPT for the drive, then assume an SPT of 17.

3.  Using the information determined at step 2, find a match in the following table.
     If you can't find a match using all 4 figures, but there is a match if WPC is ignored, then use that match.

 
Cylinder
Count
Head
Count
SPT
WPC
Comment
Type 1
306
4
17
128
 
Type 2
615
4
17
300
 
Type 3
615
6
17
300
 
Type 4
940
8
17
512
 
Type 5
940
6
17
512
 
Type 6
615
4
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 7
462
8
17
256
 
Type 8
733
5
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 9
900
15
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 10
820
3
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 11
855
5
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 12
855
7
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 13
306
8
17
128
 
Type 14
733
7
17
none
 Some Internet sources may show no WPC as "N/A" or "-1" or "65535"
Type 15
 
 
 
 
 Do not use. More information.
Type 16
612
4
17
0 (all)
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 17
977
5
17
300
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 18
977
7
17
none
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 19
1024
7
17
512
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 20
733
5
17
300
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 21
733
7
17
300
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 22
733
5
17
300
 Not available on first 5170 model, specifically that with 01/10/84 BIOS
Type 23
306
4
17
0 (all)
 Not available on first/second 5170 models, specifically those with 01/10/84 or 06/10/85 BIOS