IBM 6150 RT
Enable an agent to recognise the IBM 6150 RT workstation type, assess an example's configuration and condition, and determine compatible operation, restoration and preservation actions.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
6 bundles · 11 layers · 16 findings · 26 questions
6150 identity and variants Establish which IBM 6150 configuration the entry or an assessed example represents.
Machine-type recognition
Combine identification labels, enclosure evidence and board identity.
6150 identification evidence
Define the evidence needed to attribute a machine to this registry entry.
- Which label fields and physical features establish machine type 6150 rather than 6151 or an unidentified RT system? definition
- How should conflicting enclosure, identification-label and system-board evidence affect attribution? boundary
Model and upgrade lineage
Separate model-specific factory equipment from subsequent changes.
Variant baseline
Attach specifications to the model and revision for which they were documented.
- Which IBM announcement or equipment record establishes the baseline for the full 6150 model designation? provenance
- Which installed assemblies represent documented upgrades, replacements or unexplained departures from that baseline? provenance
RT compute configuration Describe the processor, memory and arithmetic hardware that determine a 6150's execution capabilities.
Processor and arithmetic
Identify the processor assembly and any associated floating-point hardware.
Execution capabilities
Establish supported execution features and the evidence for performance-related attributes.
- Which processor-board identifier and revision are present, and what clock specification applies? measurement
- Which floating-point hardware is installed, and what verifies its compatibility with this processor configuration? provenance
Memory configuration
Relate installed memory boards to supported combinations and recognised capacity.
Memory availability
Distinguish physical memory inventory from memory available to diagnostics and software.
- What capacity is physically installed, and how much do diagnostics and the operating system recognise? measurement
- Which documented board combinations and capacity limits apply to this processor and 6150 model? boundary
6150 I/O and storage Resolve expansion, console and storage dependencies for the 6150 configuration.
Slots and console
Map adapters and operator interfaces to their supported attachment conditions.
Supported attachment path
Record the hardware and software chain needed for each usable interface.
- Which slot restrictions, adapter settings and driver requirements apply to each installed board? boundary
- Which display adapter, monitor and keyboard combination provides a documented usable console? action
Controller, drive and media
Treat storage as a matched controller, drive, cabling and format configuration.
Storage accessibility
Determine how original storage can be read and which substitutions preserve compatibility.
- What controller, drive identifiers, capacities and media formats are present? measurement
- What evidence supports reading, imaging or replacing these drives without assuming modern interface compatibility? action
RT software and startup Connect installation media and operating-system releases to the identified 6150 hardware.
Release and media applicability
Establish the intended platform and prerequisites of candidate software.
Installable software set
Identify a supported combination of release, media and device support.
- Which operating-system release documentation explicitly supports this 6150 configuration? provenance
- Which installation media, drivers and minimum resources are required for that release? action
Startup and diagnostic evidence
Distinguish hardware diagnostics, media access and operating-system startup.
Startup failure localisation
Use recorded indications to locate the failed startup stage.
- What exact indicators, codes or console messages appear, and at which startup stage? measurement
- Which applicable IBM diagnostic procedure determines the next check for those observations? action
6150 restoration and preservation Determine whether and how an ageing 6150 can be inspected, operated and repaired while preserving evidence.
Power and service readiness
Establish electrical and cooling readiness using the applicable assembly documentation.
Controlled power-on readiness
Define the evidence required before energising an unverified example.
- What supply ratings, protective provisions and pre-power inspection steps apply to the installed power assembly? action
- What observed cord, supply, fan or airflow defects require correction before startup testing? measurement
Repair and evidence retention
Balance operational recovery with retention of original hardware and software evidence.
Restoration intervention record
Specify what must be captured before repairs or installations alter the machine.
- Which disk images, labels, board settings and configuration records should be captured before modification? action
- Which replacement assemblies are documented equivalents, and which changes must be recorded as adaptations? boundary
Evidence and external alignment What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.
Reported evidence
Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.
Check these first
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these check these first hold for the sense of IBM 6150 RT this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Identifiers and schemes
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of IBM 6150 RT this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Real-world use
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of IBM 6150 RT this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Typical measurements
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of IBM 6150 RT this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Failure modes and hazards
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of IBM 6150 RT this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart
Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.
- Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of IBM 6150 RT this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Physical world and living systems
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- PHY
- Domain
- PHY.OBJ
What it is Filled
The IBM 6150 is the floor-standing machine type of IBM's RT Personal Computer family, a workstation platform introduced in 1986 that used IBM's 32-bit ROMP RISC processor and supported AIX.
In scope
- IBM 6150 identification, model suffixes and distinctions from neighbouring IBM systems
- Processor, memory and optional arithmetic hardware configurations
- System-board, adapter, storage and console compatibility
- Operating-system and boot-media dependencies
- Diagnostic interpretation, restoration readiness and preservation constraints
Out of scope
- The entire IBM RT product family, including separate 6151 systems
- Generic personal-computer or workstation architecture
- Operating systems and application software as independent products
- Monitors, printers and network equipment beyond their attachment requirements
- Ownership, location and service histories of individual machines
- Later IBM workstation families as independent product types
Why it exists Filled
Enable an agent to recognise the IBM 6150 RT workstation type, assess an example's configuration and condition, and determine compatible operation, restoration and preservation actions.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Require a machine-type label or equivalent documentary evidence identifying 6150; an RT badge alone does not establish this entry.
- Distinguish the floor-standing 6150 enclosure from the desktop 6151, checking internal hardware when an enclosure may have been exchanged.
- Confirm IBM RT processor hardware: IBM describes the 6150 as a 32-bit RISC microcomputer. [IBM Research](https://research.ibm.com/publications/graphics-on-the-ibm-6150-workstation)
- Check the 6150 system board and expansion arrangement rather than identifying the machine from shared RT components; IBM documents board differences between 6150 and 6151. [IBM RT PC Technical Reference](https://bitsavers.computerhistory.org/pdf/ibm/pc/rt/75X0232_RT_PC_Technical_Reference_Volume_1_Jun87.pdf)
- Require the full model designation before assigning standard equipment or capacity: IBM lists multiple 6150 configurations. [IBM Product Reference, September 1988](https://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/ibm/pc/IBM_Personal_System_2_and_IBM_Personal_Computer_Product_Reference_Ver_4.0_Sep88.pdf)
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Read or publish data left on old disks without the owner's permission.
- Power up a vintage unit without checking ageing capacitors and power supplies.
- Dispose of it in ordinary waste.
- Misstate its originality or configuration in a sale.
Only with a human decision
- Wiping, recovering or publishing data from its disks.
- Scrapping or donating the machine.
May
- Identify a machine as the floor-standing model of this 1980s workstation family from labels and type plates.
- Report its configuration and history for its owner or museum.
- Preserve and image its storage media for the owner with permission.
Moral aspects Filled
- Old computers often hold forgotten personal or business data.
- Early RISC workstations are part of computing heritage.
Who is affected
- Former users whose data remains
- Collectors and museums
Owners Filled
Steward
The owner of each machine; museums for preserved examples.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q68 - registry parent class
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.ibm-6150-rt
- Wikidata: Q502542 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q502542)
Direct properties required Filled
- Machine type and model: 6150 plus verified model suffix; unresolved
- Configuration authenticity: Documented original; documented upgrade; mixed configuration; unresolved
- Processor assembly: Installed RT processor-board identifier and revision linked to supporting documentation
- Processor clock: MHz, with model applicability and evidence
- Installed and recognised memory: Bytes, recording physical capacity and diagnostic recognition separately
- Floating-point configuration: Absent; identified installed hardware; unidentified hardware; unverified
- Expansion configuration: Adapter identifier mapped to physical slot, settings and software support
- Storage configuration: Controller, drive, cabling, media format and boot role
- Software compatibility: Operating-system release linked to processor, adapters, drivers and installation media
- Observed startup state: Unpowered; inspection pending; diagnostic failure; diagnostics complete; boot failure; operating
- Electrical supply requirements: V AC, Hz and rated A or W from the applicable label or manual
Recognition required Filled
- Floor-standing tower case with the maker's type number on its label.
- Period keyboard, display and expansion cards of the family.
- Serial number plates settle the individual unit.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- Identify a candidate machine and resolve its 6150 model designation.
- Compare installed boards and peripherals with a documented compatible configuration.
- Select an operating-system release and installation path supported by the identified hardware.
- Interpret startup evidence using the applicable IBM diagnostic documentation.
- Plan component repair or replacement while recording departures from the documented configuration.
- Preserve storage contents and configuration evidence before undertaking restoration.
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Failing capacitors and power supplies can smoke or catch fire.
- Data exposure from old disks.
- Hazardous substances in electronic waste.
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), European Union.
Context of use required Filled
- This floor-standing workstation was used for technical computing, software development and engineering applications in professional and academic settings.
- Surviving examples are encountered in computing collections, historical research and restoration projects.
- Assessment focuses on the installed hardware, operating software, compatible peripherals and preservation needs.
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q502542: IBM 6150 RT - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: IBM RT PC - general description of the item
Open questions
- Which 6150 model suffixes, regional variants and upgrade paths must this entry cover, including any specially qualified configurations?
- What processor clocks, memory limits, storage capacities, dimensions and masses are authoritative for each included variant?
- Which adapter-slot restrictions and console combinations apply across the different 6150 revisions?
- Which operating-system releases and surviving installation or diagnostic media have verified compatibility with each configuration?
- Which electrical approvals, service restrictions and recurring component failures are documented specifically for the 6150 rather than inferred from vintage computers generally?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q502542/spec.json