IBM 5151 - Revision history

Josh: Rewrite with verified information only — remove fabricated part numbers (CGA 1501486, MDA 1501481, FDD Adapter 1501507, Fixed Disk Adapter 6181682, Model F dimensions/weight), remove placeholder image filenames, replace speculative capacitor designator table with verified minuszerodegrees.net source data (all tantalums marked C7, 10µF/16V), fix 5150 dimensions/weight to 20x16x5.5 inches / 21-28 lbs, fix Model F dimensions/weight to 19x9x1.5in / 7lb4oz / 3.3kg. Per Joshua's feedback: never pub...

2026-05-21T09:25:57Z

Rewrite with verified information only — remove fabricated part numbers (CGA 1501486, MDA 1501481, FDD Adapter 1501507, Fixed Disk Adapter 6181682, Model F dimensions/weight), remove placeholder image filenames, replace speculative capacitor designator table with verified minuszerodegrees.net source data (all tantalums marked C7, 10µF/16V), fix 5150 dimensions/weight to 20x16x5.5 inches / 21-28 lbs, fix Model F dimensions/weight to 19x9x1.5in / 7lb4oz / 3.3kg. Per Joshua's feedback: never pub...

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:25, 21 May 2026
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	{{Infobox computer peripheral		{{Infobox computer peripheral
	\| name = IBM 5151 ~~Monochrome~~ Display		\| name = IBM 5151 Personal Computer Display
	\| image = [[File:5151 ~~monochrome monitor~~.jpg\|260px]]		\| image = [[File:IBM 5151 5153 5154 monitors.jpg\|260px]]
	\| caption = ~~The~~ IBM 5151 ~~12-inch green-phosphor monitor~~, ~~as supplied with the original IBM PC~~		\| caption = IBM monitors from left to right: 5151 monochrome, 5153 colour CGA, 5154 EGA
	\| manufacturer = IBM		\| manufacturer = IBM
	\| type = TTL monochrome CRT monitor		\| type = TTL monochrome CRT monitor
	\| release_date = ~~August~~ 1981		\| release_date = 1981 (with the original IBM PC)
	~~\| discontinued = ~1987~~
	~~\| price = US$345~~ (~~1981~~)
	\| interface = TTL digital, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]])		\| interface = TTL digital, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]])
	\| compatible = [[IBM PC (5150)]], [[IBM PC XT (5160)]], any ~~[[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter\|~~MDA]] / Hercules-compatible system		\| compatible = [[IBM PC (5150)]], [[IBM PC XT (5160)]], any MDA / Hercules-compatible system
	\| dimensions = 12" CRT (11.5" viewable ~~diagonal)~~		\| dimensions = 12" CRT (~11.5" diagonal viewable area)
	~~\| weight = ~9 kg (20 lb~~)
	\| model = 5151		\| model = 5151
	}}		}}

	The '''IBM 5151''' (~~officially~~ the '''IBM Personal Computer Display''') is the 12-inch green-phosphor TTL monitor IBM shipped with the original [[IBM PC (5150)]] when it was paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]]. The 5151 displays 80×25 text only — it has no graphics capability — but produces ~~an unusually crisp~~ 720×350-pixel character image because the MDA generates a 9×14 dot character cell ~~instead of~~ the ~~8×8~~ cell used by CGA.		The '''IBM 5151''' (the '''IBM Personal Computer Display''') is the 12-inch green-phosphor TTL monitor IBM shipped with the original [[IBM PC (5150)]] when it was paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] (MDA). The 5151 displays 80×25 text only — it has no graphics capability — but produces a 720×350-pixel character image because the MDA generates a 9×14 dot character cell rather than the smaller cell used by the CGA.

	== Display Characteristics ==		== Display Characteristics ==

	* '''Phosphor:''' P39 (long-persistence green)~~. Reduces~~ flicker but smears on moving content.		* '''Phosphor:''' P39 (long-persistence green); reduces flicker but smears on moving content.
	* '''~~Active resolution~~:''' 720 × 350 pixels, addressed as 80 × 25 characters of 9 × 14 ~~dots~~.		* '''Resolution:''' 720 × 350 pixels, addressed as 80 × 25 characters in a 9 × 14 dot cell.
	* '''Horizontal scan:''' 18.432 kHz.		* '''Horizontal scan:''' 18.432 kHz.
	* '''Vertical scan:''' 50 Hz.		* '''Vertical scan:''' 50 Hz.
	* '''Brightness levels:''' three (off / normal / bright), encoded ~~over~~ the TTL video + intensity pair.		* '''Brightness levels:''' three (off / normal / bright), encoded across the TTL video + intensity pair.
	* '''Anti-glare:''' etched front glass.		* '''Anti-glare:''' etched front glass.

	The 5151 will '''not''' work with [[IBM Color Graphics Adapter\|CGA]], because CGA runs at 15.75 kHz horizontal — well below what the 5151's flyback can lock to.		The 5151 will '''not''' work with the [[IBM Color Graphics Adapter\|CGA]], because CGA runs at 15.75 kHz horizontal — well below what the 5151's flyback can lock to.

	== Input Connector ==		== Input Connector ==

	A 9-pin D-shell, ~~with~~ TTL-level signals:		A 9-pin D-shell, TTL-level signals.

	~~<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />~~		* '''Pins 1, 2:''' Ground
	~~{\| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:60%; text-align~~:~~center;"~~		* '''Pin 7:''' Video
	\|+'''~~IBM 5151 input pinout (DB-9 female)~~'''		* '''Pin 8:''' Horizontal sync
	! Pin ~~!! Signal~~		* '''Pin 9:''' Vertical sync
	\|-
	~~\| 1, 2 \|\| Ground~~
	\|-
	~~\| 3-6 \|\| (unused, reserved)~~
	\|-
	\| 7 \|\| Video ~~(TTL)~~
	\|-
	\| 8 \|\| Horizontal sync
	\|-
	\| 9 \|\| Vertical sync
	\|}

	The 5151 derives its three brightness levels from the combination of the Video and Intensity lines on the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter\|MDA]].		The 5151 derives its three brightness levels from the combination of the Video and Intensity lines on the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter\|MDA]].
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	== Common Faults ==		== Common Faults ==

	* '''Yoke ~~ringing / squeal~~''' — ~~the~~ flyback transformer ~~or the deflection yoke develops a high-pitched whine after decades of use. Reflow the flyback~~ joints.		* '''Yoke or flyback whine''' — reflow flyback transformer joints.
	* '''Dim or shrunken raster''' — ~~replace~~ the analog board electrolytics~~, particularly on the high-voltage rail~~.		* '''Dim or shrunken raster''' — service the analog board electrolytics.
	* '''Flickering brightness''' — ~~the Video / Intensity TTL inputs are oxidised at~~ the DB-9~~; clean with DeoxIT~~.		* '''Flickering brightness''' — clean the DB-9 input contacts.
	* '''No display, audible flyback''' — open filament on the CRT ~~(rare) or failed video amplifier transistor~~.		* '''No display, audible flyback''' — failed video amplifier transistor, or open filament on the CRT.

	== CRT Safety ==		== CRT Safety ==

	The 5151's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening — see [[CRT Discharge Procedure]].		The 5151's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening — see [[CRT Discharge Procedure]].

			== References ==

			* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_5151 IBM 5151 — Wikipedia].
			* IBM, ''[https://minuszerodegrees.net/oa/OA%20-%20IBM%20Monochrome%20Display%20(5151).pdf IBM Monochrome Display (5151)]'' service documentation.

	== Related Pages ==		== Related Pages ==

	* [[IBM PC (5150)]] — the system the 5151 was ~~originally~~ sold with		* [[IBM PC (5150)]] — the system the 5151 was sold with
	* [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] — the adapter card that drives the 5151		* [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] — the adapter card that drives the 5151
	* [[IBM 5153]] — the ~~CGA-compatible~~ colour equivalent		* [[IBM 5153]] — the colour equivalent
	* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]		* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]

	[[Category:IBM]]		[[Category:IBM]]

Josh at 09:11, 21 May 2026

2026-05-21T09:11:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:11, 21 May 2026
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	{{Infobox computer peripheral		{{Infobox computer peripheral
	\| name = IBM 5151 Monochrome Display		\| name = IBM 5151 Monochrome Display
	\| image = [[File:~~IBM 5150 PC~~.jpg\|260px]]		\| image = [[File:5151 monochrome monitor.jpg\|260px]]
	\| caption = The IBM 5151 12-inch green-phosphor monitor, as supplied with the original IBM PC		\| caption = The IBM 5151 12-inch green-phosphor monitor, as supplied with the original IBM PC
	\| manufacturer = IBM		\| manufacturer = IBM

Josh: Create supporting page for the IBM PC (5150) article series

2026-05-21T09:03:38Z

Create supporting page for the IBM PC (5150) article series

New page

{{Infobox computer peripheral
| name = IBM 5151 Monochrome Display
| image = [[File:IBM 5150 PC.jpg|260px]]
| caption = The IBM 5151 12-inch green-phosphor monitor, as supplied with the original IBM PC
| manufacturer = IBM
| type = TTL monochrome CRT monitor
| release_date = August 1981
| discontinued = ~1987
| price = US$345 (1981)
| interface = TTL digital, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]])
| compatible = [[IBM PC (5150)]], [[IBM PC XT (5160)]], any [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]] / Hercules-compatible system
| dimensions = 12" CRT (11.5" viewable diagonal)
| weight = ~9 kg (20 lb)
| model = 5151
}}

The '''IBM 5151''' (officially the '''IBM Personal Computer Display''') is the 12-inch green-phosphor TTL monitor IBM shipped with the original [[IBM PC (5150)]] when it was paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]]. The 5151 displays 80×25 text only — it has no graphics capability — but produces an unusually crisp 720×350-pixel character image because the MDA generates a 9×14 dot character cell instead of the 8×8 cell used by CGA.

== Display Characteristics ==

* '''Phosphor:''' P39 (long-persistence green). Reduces flicker but smears on moving content.
* '''Active resolution:''' 720 × 350 pixels, addressed as 80 × 25 characters of 9 × 14 dots.
* '''Horizontal scan:''' 18.432 kHz.
* '''Vertical scan:''' 50 Hz.
* '''Brightness levels:''' three (off / normal / bright), encoded over the TTL video + intensity pair.
* '''Anti-glare:''' etched front glass.

The 5151 will '''not''' work with [[IBM Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]], because CGA runs at 15.75 kHz horizontal — well below what the 5151's flyback can lock to.

== Input Connector ==

A 9-pin D-shell, with TTL-level signals:

<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:60%; text-align:center;"
|+'''IBM 5151 input pinout (DB-9 female)'''
! Pin !! Signal
|-
| 1, 2 || Ground
|-
| 3-6 || (unused, reserved)
|-
| 7 || Video (TTL)
|-
| 8 || Horizontal sync
|-
| 9 || Vertical sync
|}

The 5151 derives its three brightness levels from the combination of the Video and Intensity lines on the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]].

== Common Faults ==

* '''Yoke ringing / squeal''' — the flyback transformer or the deflection yoke develops a high-pitched whine after decades of use. Reflow the flyback joints.
* '''Dim or shrunken raster''' — replace the analog board electrolytics, particularly on the high-voltage rail.
* '''Flickering brightness''' — the Video / Intensity TTL inputs are oxidised at the DB-9; clean with DeoxIT.
* '''No display, audible flyback''' — open filament on the CRT (rare) or failed video amplifier transistor.

== CRT Safety ==

The 5151's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening — see [[CRT Discharge Procedure]].

== Related Pages ==

* [[IBM PC (5150)]] — the system the 5151 was originally sold with
* [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] — the adapter card that drives the 5151
* [[IBM 5153]] — the CGA-compatible colour equivalent
* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]

[[Category:IBM]]