Home 
IBM 5161  -  Basics, for 5161 beginners


Basic diagram at here.
   
You cannot treat the 5161 as a second computer.  From a slot perspective, you treat it as an extention of the host computer.  It is almost as though you are adding extra expansion slots to the host computer.
   
Memory (ROM/RAM) operations are slowed by the extender card and receiver card and cable.  Because of that, IBM require that a wait state be invoked for operations involving any memory in the 5161.  This is controlled by switches on the extender card.
   
According to IBM, in the 5161, the receiver card goes into slot 8.   (IBM quote: "The receiver card is a four-plane card that fits in expansion slot 8 of the expansion unit.")
   
If you attaching the 5161 to an IBM 5150, then the 5150's motherboard BIOS needs to be at the final revision, the one dated 10/27/82.  See here.
If you attaching the 5161 to an IBM 5150, then the extender card can go into any of the 5150's five expansion slots.
   
If you attaching the 5161 to an IBM 5160, then the extender card can go into any 5160 expansion slot except slot 8.
   
Some of the securing screws for the drives are accessed via a well that is on the 5161's underside.  Photo at here.