In 1993, a 14-year-old Fabien Sanglard spent nights tinkering with a Cyrix 486SLC-25Mhz PC, unaware his family had been sold an underpowered "486" that struggled with games like DOOM. His neighbor's IBM PS/1 2168—a 486DX2-66Mhz powerhouse—became an object of obsession, symbolizing unreachable computing excellence. Thirty years later, Sanglard embarked on a quest to restore this iconic machine, documenting the process in a technical deep dive.

Engineering Excellence: The IBM PS/1 2168 Legacy

Announced in 1993, the PS/1 2168 wasn't just another beige box. Its mini-tower design featured a carrying handle (a rarity inspiring later workstations like Mac Pro), rounded edges, and a clever sliding panel hiding less-used drives. Codenamed for its expandability—6 drive bays and 8 ISA slots—it boasted:
- Intel Overdrive socket for CPU upgrades
- Expandable L1 cache, RAM, and VRAM
- Legendary IBM Model M keyboard (dubbed "best ever" by enthusiasts)
- Detailed technical manuals contrasting typical clone PCs' sparse documentation

"These subtle touches made the IBM PS/1 2168 a polished product screaming excellence," writes Sanglard, noting its $6,000 inflation-adjusted price reflected IBM's quality ethos.

The Hunt and Restoration Challenge

Finding a functional 2168 proved daunting. Scarcity, aging hardware, and enthusiast demand complicated Sanglard's search. He imposed strict criteria: original packaging and documentation were non-negotiable. Against odds, a Finnish seller provided a pristine 2168-594 model with boxes, manuals, and the rare gray base—all shipped intact after meticulous packing negotiations.

Restoration involved solving period-specific hurdles:
1. Storage: Installing PC-DOS 7 via floppy drives (FDD) revealed compatibility quirks
2. Media: CD-ROM and sound card integration unlocked era-defining MIDI audio
3. Display: CRT selection and screen capture techniques preserved authentic visuals

Pushing Boundaries: Upgrades and DOOM Domination

The true engineering triumph came through hardware enhancements:
- L2 Cache Upgrade: Doubling cache dramatically improved data throughput
- CPU Overclocking: Pushing the 486DX2 beyond stock 66MHz (documented in Sanglard's overclocking experiments)

These optimizations achieved a childhood dream: running DOOM at full screen, max details, and buttery 25 FPS—a feat impossible on Sanglard's 1993 Cyrix. Further testing with titles like Dune II and Syndicate showcased the machine's revitalized capabilities.

Why This Resurrection Matters

Beyond nostalgia, this project underscores foundational PC design principles still relevant today: user-upgradability, thoughtful ergonomics, and documentation quality. The PS/1’s architecture—contrasting with soldered, disposable modern hardware—reminds engineers that repairability fuels longevity. As Sanglard concludes, restoring this relic wasn’t just about replaying games; it was a tribute to the machines that shaped a generation of innovators.

Source: Fabien Sanglard's IBM PS/1 2168 Restoration