IBM ThinkCentre M50 (8187)

I was kinda sad that I couldn't get this system to run Windows 10, but it's not easy to find a Socket 478 CPU that will support.
Here is my video review of the IBM ThinkCentre M50, machine type 8187. This machine went to an acquaintance who is now using it as a command console for his IBM P Series servers in his homelab. Neat!
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[@maniatore2006]

Thank you so much for that Video. Interesting, i have the IBM NetVista, and it looks so similar to what. I found my PC on the Street, left for Death, with non working Power Supply, i replaced it, and the PC starts to work, it was Ubuntu Linux On it. I Tried to install Windows XP on it but the bios do not support it Natively, The bios was from 2000 and i instaled one from 2005 that brought also the Name Lenovo in the Bios, and Widnows XP runns now Well on it. Your PC is seems better in design and quality, it has the better Power Supply, and Fan System, and a Lock :D The fan behind the Power Supply was some kind of stupid in my system. In my system i have a P4 2,66GHz CPU Northwood, no HT, 2GB RAM, 40 GB HDD, and a Nvidia Quadro DCC with 64MB. An New DVD Burner Drive with SATA to IDE Adapter.

[@emfax3]

Nice video!!! Thx

[@user-uz9yn2ob4f]

one voodoo 5 6000 this and perfeft :D i have a ibm thinkcenter a50p with 1.5gb ram 120gb ssd 3.2ghz p4 cpu and voodoo 5 6000 inside with win 2000 sp4 perfect retro game machine :)

[@richardsequeirateixeira]

Might get one of these to install OS/2

[@andreimunteanu750]

I see a fellow GN modmat user

[@retropcdurham]

Yup, it's great

[@Mazazamba]

I have one of these in storage. Been thinking of gutting it to put my PC in it, but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. Maybe if i cut into the sides for intake fans? Edit: OR maybe put feet on it and put the intake fans in the bottom.

[@s.guttmann6625]

can i install windows ME in this computer without the startup floppy? if not, how do i make a startup floppy disk? the computer has win xp

[@Russell970]

Retro gaming is a thing so it's not useless afterall ^^

[@retropcdurham]

Will be great for playing Halo, Quake Arena, Unreal Tournament, Halflife2, etc!

[@Russell970]

@@retropcdurham And Counter strike Half Life xD

[@longcat266]

are those hipro units better than the liteon ones? i have two of the liteon units that appear to work but have loud transformers

[@retropcdurham]

I never noticed a difference but it's certainly possible that HiPro were doing a better job at shielding, since IIRC LiteOn was still more heavily making server grade PSUs and would be building to spec without any of their own inhouse improvements.

[@longcat266]

@@retropcdurham my model is similar looking but its a cheaper a30 model that came with a celeron, could be that its just a cheaper model for a cheaper system?

[@retropcdurham]

@@longcat266 Yes within each model there are a number of supported processors, so the A30 could have come with a Celeron or Pentium CPU. You should be able to upgrade pretty easily; the max CPU the IBM supported at the time was 3.06GHz Intel Pentium 4 , 533MHz FSB, 512KB cache, Northwood. This is socket type LGA478. It's possible that a Prescott CPU would work as well.

[@diegogonzalezbernal4496]

How to install windows? Because it does not recognize the installation media, at least the 32-bit ones, I imagine it is because of the drivers because I put the pro versions of windows 7 to 10 of 64 bits and run the installation media, but Obviously, it doesn't happen because it is a 32-bit processor, I currently have it with puppy linux.

[@retropcdurham]

Yeah, the processor in this system doesn't have NX bit which is required for Windows 10. Choosing Linux here to be able to use for modern requirements is a good choice on your part. I ended up selling this to a guy who needed to repurpose it as a HMC for some IBM Power Servers he has in his homelab.

[@GTFour]

Are there windows 98 drivers for this model available?

[@retropcdurham]

I have not found them yet. The Lenovo EOL driver website only goes to the M51, and I haven't been able to find them on any other sites yet. This system did have support from IBM for 98/NT/2K/XP

[@ThomasPerl4]

I have Win98 running on one of these. Have a SB Live and GeForce FX 5200 (which obviously have drivers) but IIRC the onboard ones did also work, and it’s very stable.