website/content/museum/ibm-pc-junior.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
IBM PC Junior	Computers	Home Computer	U.S.A.	1983	Intel 8088	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos adverts hardware screenshots links docs oc_id source PC Junior /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_system_1.jpg /companies/ibm IBM label value NAME PC Junior label value MANUFACTURER IBM label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR November 1983 label value END OF PRODUCTION March 1985 label value KEYBOARD Chicklet keyboard (full stroke keyboard was available later) label value CPU Intel 8088 label value SPEED 4.77 MHz label value CO-PROCESSOR Texas Instrument sn76496 n (sound) label value RAM 64k (up to 640 KB)\ Extended model : 128k label value VRAM from 2k to 128k (use the conventional RAM) label value ROM 24 KB label value TEXT MODES 40 x 25 / 80 x 25 label value GRAPHIC MODES 160 x 200 (16 colors), 320 x 200, 640 x 200 label value COLORS 16 label value SOUND three channels label value SIZE / WEIGHT Unknown label value I/O PORTS 2 cartridges ports (64 KB each), Centronics (optional), RS232, Joystick, Light Pen, video out (RCA plug) label value BUILT IN MEDIA one 5.25'' disk drive label value OS MS DOS label value POWER SUPPLY External PSU label value PRICE Unknown photos adverts hardware software links docs 196 title subtitle text image IBM PCJR IN ALL ITS GLORY Picture courtesy of Verault ebay seller /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_allglory_1.jpg title subtitle text image MAIN UNIT /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_system_s3.jpg title subtitle text image COMPLETE SYSTEM Complete system with its massive AC adaptor and a monochrome composite monitor. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_withmonitor_s1.jpg title subtitle text image PRO VERSION This model is equipped with a PC professionnal keyboard, a second disk-drive unit on top of the computer, and a RAM expansion plugged to the right of the case. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_4.jpg title subtitle text image SIDES On the right side, the JrCaptain sidecar expansion provided 128 KB RAM expansion, a standard Parallel printer interface and a real time clock. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_sides_s1.jpg title subtitle text image PCJR COLOR MONITOR Thanks to **Edwin Amsler** /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_colmonitor_s1.jpg title subtitle text image ORIGINAL CHICKLET KEYBOARD /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_keyboardbox_1.jpg title subtitle text image SECOND KEYBOARD #1 Below the typewriter keys, this second version also used a rubber membran. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_keyboard_s1.jpg title subtitle text image SECOND KEYBOARD #2 The keyboard could be either connected to the main unit by a standard cord, or used without cord, from a distance up to 6 meters, thanks to its dual infrared LEDs. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_keyboard_s2.jpg title subtitle text image REAR SIDE **(1)** Parallel connector from the JrCaptain sidecar expansion\ **(2-3)** Joystick connectors\ **(4)** Printer connector\ **(5)** Keyboard connector\ **(6)** Light pen connector\ **(7)** TV set connector\ **(8)** Conposite video output jack\ **(9)** Optional modem hole\ **(10)** IBM Colour monitor connector\ **(11)** Serial connector\ **(12)** Tape recorder connector\ **(13)** Power connector and switch\ **(14)** External audio jack. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_rearside_s1.jpg title subtitle text image OPENED **(1)** Power supply card\ **(2)** 128 KB expansion card\ **(3)** Floppy drive controller card\ **(4)** Infrared receiver. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_inside_s1.jpg title subtitle text image MOTHERBOARD #1 **(1)** Buzzer\ **(2)** Tape recorder remote control relay\ **(3)** Various I/O chips from Intel, AMD and NEC\ **(4)** Motorola 6845 display controller\ **(5)** Custom IBM memory management chip\ **(6)** Power card connector\ **(7)** Memory expansion connector\ **(8)** 64 KB RAM chips (8 x 4164)\ **(9)** Infrared receiver\ **(10)** Modem card (left) and FDD controller card connectors\ **(11)** 24 KB ROMs, hold the Cassette BASIC interpreter\ **(12)** ROM cartridges connectors\ **(13)** Bus expansion connector\ **(14)** Intel 8088 microprocessor. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_mainboard_s1.jpg title subtitle text image MOTHERBOARD #2 Close-up view of the infrared receiver and dual cartridge connectors. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_mainboard_s2.jpg title subtitle text image PCJR MANUALS /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_manuals_s1.jpg title subtitle text image SAMPLER DISKETTE Cover of the Sampler diskette.\ Typical pictures of the personal computer use of the time: Business, home, school, for people of all ages. /media/museum/photos/ibm_pcjr_samplerdisk_s1.jpg title subtitle text image ADVERT #1 /media/museum/pubs/ibm_pcjr_pub_1.jpg title subtitle text image ADAPTER CABLE FOR SERIAL DEVICES This IBM PC jr option allows many serial devices to be connected, such as printers and external modems. /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_serialadaptbox_1.jpg title subtitle text image ADAPTER CABLE FOR THE IBM COLOR DISPLAY This IBM PC jr option allows you to attach the IBM Personal Computer Color Display to the IBM Pc jr system unit. /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_color-display-cable_box_1.jpg title subtitle text image BASIC CARTRIDGE Thanks to **Edwin Amsler** /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_basiccart_s1.jpg title subtitle text image 64K RAM EXPANSION This add-on doubles the existing RAM of the PC Jr. System and provides 80 Column text support. /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pc-jr_64k.jpg title subtitle text image 128K RAM ''SIDE-CAR'' EXPANNSION The expansion is plugged on the right side of the main-unit. Several expansions could be plugged to each other like this. /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_128k_extension.jpg title subtitle text image 3 SIDE-CAR EXPANSIONS Here there are 3 side-car extensions plugged into each other on the right side of the main unit (2 128k RAM extensions and 1 printer interface). /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_triple_extension.jpg title subtitle text image PARALLEL PRINTER ATTACHMENT This unit is used to use any parallel printer with a PC Junior. It plugs onto the right-hand side of the computer. /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_parallel-printer-attachment_1.jpg title subtitle text image JOYSTICK This joytsick is only compatible with the PC Junior /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pc_junior_joystick.jpg title subtitle text image JOYSTICK BOX /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_joystick-box_1.jpg title subtitle text image JOYSTICK PINOUTS 1 - +5v DC\ 2 - Res. Y-Axis\ 3 - Logic ground\ 4 - Key\ 5 - Fire button\ 6 - Fire button\ 7 - Res. X-Axis\ 8 - Shield ground /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjunior_joystick_pinout.gif title subtitle text image COMPACT THERMAL PRINTER Model 5181 /media/museum/hardware/ibm_pcjr_compact-thermal-printer_1.jpg title subtitle text image CROSSFIRE cartridge label /media/museum/software/ibm_pcjr_crossfire-cart.jpg title subtitle text image MINESHAFT cartridge label /media/museum/software/ibm_pcjr_mineshaft-cartridge_1.jpg title subtitle text image KING'S QUEST cartridge label Thanks to James R. Skinner for this picture /media/museum/software/ibm_pcjunior_kingsquest.jpg title url text Forever70...80...90... http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/ibm.htm Nice page about the PC junior (french) title url text Mike's PCjr Page http://mail.magnaspeed.net/~mbbrutman/PCjr/pcjr.html Too much things in there to lis them all. Go & visit! title url text PC Jr Reborn! http://www.micro-zone.com Forums, Software, News, Links and more title url text PCjr.org http://www.pcjr.org/ Very complete site, worth a visit title url cover text GUIDE TO OPERATIONS null /media/museum/docs/couvs/ibm_pc-jr_guide-to-operations.jpg **GUIDE TO OPERATIONS**\ written by IBM  compiled/archived by Eric Bylenga\  type of document : PDF\  source : www.old-computers.com 186 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230130041031/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=186 2023-01-30

After launching the IBM PC (and its great success), IBM tried to stand out a standard for home computers, it created then the PC junior, which itself is a "light" version of the PC especially designed for home activities.

Despite its qualities, the PC jr had few success and never managed to replace the established home computers like Commodore 64, Apple II or Atari 800.

Two IBM PC junior models were available: a basic one and a enhanced one (supplied with 128k, 30 programs, a 5.25" floppy disk drive [360 KB] and its controller).

Contrary to the IBM PC, the power supply is not integrated to the case, but is external. The keyboard is linked by infra-red to the CPU, though there was a RJ11 (standard phone jack) plug that could be used instead to save batteries. It is impossible to connect a 8087 math co-processor.

The RS232 connector is not a standard one. To use a standard RS232 device, the user has to buy a special adapter ("Berg" style connector breakout -> D25 connector).

The PC Jr runs under MSDOS 2.1 (the same version as the PC) and handles a hard disk when it is not possible to connect hard disk on the PC Jr (go figure)! There was an internal modem available that ran at 300 bps sold by IBM. Third party modems were also available at 1200bps.

A cartridge containing enhanced basic (with special graphics instructions) was also available. To get a 80 column text display, the extra 64k RAM expansion is needed.

Many IBM PC programs would not originally run on the PCjr because it did not include a DMA controller. This was available through a memory side-car add-on from Tecmar Systems. Many people were able to then run the PCjr as a competent business type of system as well.