5170 to borrow (and/or 4459 accessories)

[Cathode Ray Dude]

Hey folks! I think I've met a number of you, but for anyone else, I'm Gravis, aka Cathode Ray Dude from the YouTube. I kept meaning to sign up for the list but never got around to it and now I'm in a pickle, heh.

I am trying to find an IBM 5170 (PC AT) to borrow for a video I'm shooting later this week. I am shocked how rare these things are! I really thought I'd be able to find one on short notice but all my resources came up dry; I can't even find a close-specced clone. I'm so desperate I'm thinking of mocking one up out of foam core and paint, but the real thing would really be preferable.

The machine doesn't need to work, just look good, though it'd be highly preferable if it has the type III motherboard. I'm happy to come pick it up anywhere in the Puget sound, and credit you in the video if desired.

The video by the way is about the IBM 4459, the TEMPESTed version of the same machine, so I might as well say that if anyone has the matching monitor or keyboard for *that* I'd be interested in borrowing them for better coverage of the subject, but those are even rarer so I'm not holding my breath, haha. 

Let me know if you can help, thanks!

- Gravis

[Alex Smith (K4RNT)]

Oh, man, wow Gravis, welcome to our community! I wish you weren't so busy, I'd buy you a coffee some time.

Really wish I could help you! I had a clone as a child, but the machine was lost to the woes of history.

My previous machine was:

Some kind of clone with a Phoenix BIOS and an 80286 12MHz

2MB RAM

EGA graphics card of some kind (I remember the name Pine Technology vividly but that may not be associated with my card at all)

80MB Seagate hard disk

My dad was a developer at the time, and worked with FoxPro, the database product. He eventually became lead product support engineer for Microsoft working with Visual FoxPro.

Well, best of luck, Gravis. If you're available some time, I'll buy ya a coffee or a pint, your choice. Hope you find what you're looking for! Please post the video when you're completed.

" 'With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.' Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie as wisdom and warning... The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we’re all damaged." - Jean-Luc Picard, quoting Judge Aaron Satie, Star Trek: TNG episode "The Drumhead"

- Alex Smith (K4RNT)

- Lacey, Washington (Olympia, WA metropolitan area)

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[Christopher Henkel]

Hi Gravis,

I have a 5170 that you can borrow for the video. I on your description of the video, you probably want to borrow my 5162 as well.

Send me a private email if you would like to arrange this.

-Chris

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[Jeff Phillips]

Lol,

Y'all oughtta do that foam core mockup of the PC and monitor just for fun !, it would be a hoot !

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Jeff Phillips
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[Adrian Black]

Chris, I had your in mind for a possibility of someone up in Seattle who Gravis might be able to get the 5170 from. Saves two drive down to Portland as I had offered up mine. Who knew they were that hard to find, I almost though they were kind of common! I guess not outside of offices?

[Cathode Ray Dude]

Just so you know, Chris set me up with a couple machines that'll do perfectly. Thanks so much everyone!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seattle-retrocomp/34d58ca5-790d-45d9-aa52-389456fc46f9n%40googlegroups.com.

[Shane Benting]

IBM only sold half as many ATs as XTs, since the clones started eating into sales by that point. The 5150/5160 were also still available as lower priced options. I also suspect that ATs weren’t saved as often as 5150s. 

-Shane

On Jun 3, 2026, at 12:14 AM, Adrian Black <misterad...@gmail.com> wrote:

Chris, I had your in mind for a possibility of someone up in Seattle who Gravis might be able to get the 5170 from. Saves two drive down to Portland as I had offered up mine. Who knew they were that hard to find, I almost though they were kind of common! I guess not outside of offices?

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seattle-retrocomp/34d58ca5-790d-45d9-aa52-389456fc46f9n%40googlegroups.com.