Would you kindly explain your post.

I assume they're referring to the lettering on the top edge of the riser PCB.

That is hilarious. Mmm you should edit that picture/circle the text.

I bet there is a story behind that. I wonder if it was perhaps a reminder to not put the sticker over that spot?

bertrammatrix wrote on 2025-12-13, 04:37:

That is hilarious. Mmm you should edit that picture/circle the text.

The fact it's an IBM made it even funnier to me. Have circled here for those with less Where's Wally/Waldo experience:

Was curious if any others of that era (e.g. PS/1s or Aptivas) had something similar. Found an example on an Aptiva riser pictured here:

https://ancientelectronics.wordpress.com/2019 … model-2176-c77/

Wording not as interesting but points to a practice of sometimes having "instructions" on it.

there appears to be a 6 pin connector of some type on the back of the PCB there

I assume the silkscreen is telling you not to connect something to it

maxtherabbit wrote on 2025-12-13, 13:51:

there appears to be a 6 pin connector of some type on the back of the PCB there

I assume the silkscreen is telling you not to connect something to it

Exactly my thoughts...

I have one of those computers, and never noticed the wording on the riser. The computer should have a metal crossbar to help support the top of the case cover that also holds the top edge of the riser in place. I wonder if the wording has to do with the placement of the crossbar in relation to the 3.3 V power connector on the other side of the riser.

Also, it could have been a factory thing to tell the assembly worker not to place and then solder the power connector to that side of the PCB.

fosterwj03 wrote on 2025-12-13, 14:59:

Also, it could have been a factory thing to tell the assembly worker not to place and then solder the power connector to that side of the PCB.

That's my thought as well. It's the only thing that makes sense TBH.

What I'm curious about is if that riser card could potentially be used in any old VLB slot to add PCI capability to a system? Since the bridge chip is on the riser...

In my mind there's a story behind this.
"Dammit not again Kevin, well were doing another revision anyways".

It's a Pentium computer. I doubt the motherboard has VLB to interface. The riser probably has a proprietary connector.

fosterwj03 wrote on 2025-12-14, 19:47:

It's a Pentium computer. I doubt the motherboard has VLB to interface. The riser probably has a proprietary connector.

The chip is visibly an Opti 82C222 (VLB-to-PCI bridge). That model of PC was also sold with 486 CPUs.

brashs wrote on 2025-12-13, 01:55:

Wondering if any explanations for this amusing oddity I encountered in a pic from an Australian-manufactured IBM PC 330 listed f […]
Show full quote

Wondering if any explanations for this amusing oddity I encountered in a pic from an Australian-manufactured IBM PC 330 listed for sale:

The attachment riser1.jpg is no longer available

Another unit I found with the same:

The attachment riser2.jpg is no longer available

its because its Australian. Everything is upside down over there, toilets drain the wrong way, etc.

butt seriously, its so they put the connector on the correct side of the board.

Does the vesa looking expansion slot have the same grounds and power pins as VLB?

luckybob wrote on 2025-12-15, 00:28:

its because its Australian. Everything is upside down over there, toilets drain the wrong way, etc.

butt seriously, its so they put the connector on the correct side of the board.

My first proper PC was actually an Australian-made IBM of this layout which is why I stickybeak at these systems. Did a brief search through pics of PC 330s listed on eBay US hoping to find the same riser but didn't see any.

Not sure where the riser itself was made but here's some info (from the book "A Vision Splendid") about the plant that assembled these PCs:

In 1976, IBM began assembling its Selectric electric typewriters in a plant in Wangaratta, Victoria. The first production line employed 13 people and produced 30 electronic typewriters per day. A new plant, built in 1979, produced 100,000 electric typewriters by 1981.

In 1984, IBM also began assembling personal computers (PCs) in Wangaratta. One of only three IBM PC production facilities in the world, the plant expanded to produce PC planar boards, Japanese-character Kanji display cards and entire PC motherboards. By the 1990s, IBM’s RS/6000 RISC workstations were also being assembled in Wangaratta.

Despite these encouraging initiatives, IBM was unable to justify continued local manufacturing in such a high-cost economy. It sold the Wangaratta plant to Australian company Bluegum in 1998, which was in turn acquired by US company Solectron in 2000. Solectron ended its Australian manufacturing operations shortly afterwards.

jmarsh wrote on 2025-12-15, 00:06:

The chip is visibly an Opti 82C222 (VLB-to-PCI bridge). That model of PC was also sold with 486 CPUs.

Yeah, the pics are of late 486 models from 1995, although I was too distracted by the quirky wording to even notice the VLB connector and bridge chip. Feels kinda yucky to me but maybe it's fine functionally 😁