On the IBM AT, IBM offered two basic choices in RAM configuration. You could get 64k chips, producing a total of 256k RAM in the four ram spaces, numbered 0-3. Or, you could get piggy-backed 64k chips, producing a total of 512k RAM in the same area.

The IBM AT setup many standards that are in use today. Like the BIOS. The IBM XT never had a BIOS, and never will have one if it is really an IBM XT. The IBM AT also brought into use the 101key-Enhanced keyboard, which was more spacious than the 83-key keyboard previous used in IBM PCs, IBM XTs and their clones. The 16-bit ISA slots were also introduced. They're now being slowly phased out in light of the PCI slots. Some 486 and all Pentium I motherboards have both PCI and 16-bit ISA.

Layout of the IBM AT motherboard:

     1
   2 3
 4 5 6
 7
 8 9 0

Pins 1, 3, and 6 control the keyboard lock.
        All open disengauges the keyboard lock.
Pins 2 and 5 are for the Power LED.

Pins 4, 7, and 8 are for the RAM
        Pins 4 and 7 are for 256k RAM
        Pins 7 and 8 are for 512k RAM
Pins 9 and 0 are for the speaker connection.

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