P5000

The Philips P5000

Since the Philips P5000 is such an obscure machine, I have decided to dedicate a separate page to it, hoping to centralize more information about the platform. However, you will find that my P5000 is not a standard model and features some unusual cards. The cards are listed below.

I bought this P5000 from the Home Computer Museum in Helmond.

More information will be added.

Welcoming the P5000:

PCB's

Card 1 Data communications?

This first card is highly populated with ICs such as the Mostek MK3884N, Texas Instruments 74LS273N, Signetics MC1489F, and many others. Research on these chips suggests the card may have been used for networking or data communications.

Card 2 Potential RAM board

The second card contains many of the same ICs, primarily Intel C2117-4s and several 74LS chips. I believe this board is likely RAM-related, as it has 32 Intel C2117 chips, which could indicate 64K of RAM, although the label states 32K.

Card 3 Floppy disk controller?

The most interesting feature of the third board is that it has potentiometers. It also contains many ICs, including the Intel D8257, WDC FD1783PL-02, and, like the other boards, several 74LS chips. This board appears to be a floppy disk controller. The potentiometers are likely used for fine-tuning analog signals or timing, ensuring compatibility with various drives. Supported by numerous 74LS logic chips, the board efficiently manages data transfers between the computer and connected floppy drives.

Card 4

This board has an RS232 connector for interfacing with the Philips HHCP. The most prominent ICs include two Intel D8251A chips, as well as unbranded chips: 0Q6685, 0Q66682 (4x), and three labeled ICs: 4582, 4572, and 4592.

After research: This likely is a serial communication interface board with an RS232 connector, designed to interface with the Philips HHCP. It features dual Intel D8251A USARTs, which handle synchronous and asynchronous serial data transfer. The custom ICs and labeled chips likely support protocol-specific tasks or system integration, making this board a critical component for RS232 communication.

Card 5 Prototyping board

This is a hand-wired prototyping board installed in the system. It is connected to several sockets, some populated with ICs such as Texas Instruments SN74LS138N, SN74LS14N, SN74LS00N, SN74LS374N, and SN74LS30N.

After research: This hand-wired prototyping board, connected to the system, features sockets populated with various 74LS series ICs for custom logic development. With components like decoders, flip-flops, and inverters, it was likely used for address decoding, data latching, or signal processing during testing or iterative design phases. Its flexible design suggests it played a key role in prototyping or debugging.

Card 6 Data processing/ control board

This board features a different type of PCB compared to the others. Some of the chips on it include Texas Instruments SN74LS245N, SN74LS27N, SN74LS162AN, Motorola MCM65575P, Intel P2114-2, Beckman 898-3-R2 2K, among others.

After research: This PCB is likely a data processing or control board, equipped with components for buffering, memory handling, and logic operations. With chips like the SN74LS245N for data flow, the P2114-2 for memory, and counters like the SN74LS162AN, it may have been used for I/O management or timing-critical tasks in vintage computing or embedded systems. Its unique design suggests it had a specialized role within a larger system.

Philips HHCP Hand Held Control Panel

The Philips HHCP (Hand-Held Control Panel) is a compact, calculator-like device designed for system control and interaction. It features a 4-digit LED display for status feedback and a keypad with alphanumeric keys labeled 0–9 and C–F, ideal for hexadecimal input. In addition, it includes function buttons such as IPL (Initial Program Load), TEST, RUN, MCL (Master Clear), and RM (Reset Memory), allowing users to manage and execute system operations. Its portable form factor and specialized keys make it a valuable tool for controlling and monitoring computing systems.