IBM 8515

Matt Ross
April 20, 2024, 6:36 pm

Summary

One of several models in IBM's iconic PS/2 monitor series, the 8515 has support for standard VGA resolutions and a 35.5 kHz interlaced XGA format, which was new at the time. As with most of IBM's hardware at the time, the case is robust and built out of very thick plastic.

Literature

Service Manual (text only)

Sales Brochure

Notes

When attempting to use this monitor on a modern PC, it's likely that it won't display an image using standard PC resolutions. To work, it must be configured for 640x480 at 60 Hz or 640x400 at 70 Hz. On Windows 10, 640x480 can be accessed through the Display Setting menu be selecting "Advanced Display Settings", "Display Adapter Properties", and "List All Modes".

Unlike later multisync displays, this monitor was intended to be used with a small number of very specific display formats. As such, it does not have external controls for screen position and geometry, all of which must be adjusted using internal pots.

The XGA resolution supported by this monitor is 1024x768 at 43.5 Hz interlaced. Effectively, this is equivalent to 384 lines per field at 87 Hz. It can be difficult to configure a modern PC to run in this mode.

Gallery

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