Restoring an IBM PC XT-286 from 1986

To answer questions about the Hardcard: as expected, it doesn't work. t.co/GK2oUEfzQJ Every single one of them I've come across are in need of various internal repairs. Hopefully I'll get around to fixing mine up someday, but it'll be a time-consuming and fiddly process that I'm not exactly rushing to get involved in, haha.

Clint, Some notes about the machine (the rusty one with the leaked battery): This machine belonged to my father, who worked for a law firm in New York. This would be the reason for the disclaimer notice on startup. It was not his personal machine at work-- according to him, computers for every employee was not the practice yet, and he says the machine was most likely used for word processing. As for what the hardcard was originally connected to, he does not know. Later, in about 1991, the firm sold off the machines to the lawyers for use as personal computers, and my father bought his for practice using computers as well as the installation of Word Perfect which came installed on the machine. This was his first personal computer at home. He says that he remembers installing the modem card himself, and using it for some early internet functions like Compuserve and possibly Prodigy. Also, I am bummed that you were unable to try it with the original amber display that came with it. I had hoped to see that, but regardless, my father and I were very pleased to see you were able to boot up the old hard drive. I did try powering up the motherboard once myself, and I did not see any explosions from the tantalums, but if I remember correctly, I think some of the power supply rail voltages may have been reading incorrectly, so I would assess the power supply to be sure. Thanks!

We should take a moment to appreciate how those rear IO plates haven't changed in design at all since 1986.

Hello Clint, I have pretty crappy hearing and so usually watch YouTube with subtitles. I really appreciate all the work you put into captioning your videos, rather than relying on auto-generated ones. The in-jokes (excited chirping, clumsy fiddling, cautious laughter) are a wonderful touch.

I love the sound of that startup. It seems to say "Hang on to your hat, the engines are reaching FULL POWER"!

When those two PC's started booting up... I felt like I should hold on to something.

I caught that Technology Connections reference at 9:07

My wife is deaf and I watch these with her sometimes, your captions {computer loudly whirls to life} is great!

Anyone else find old pc noises and old hard disk noises to be highly satisfying?

LGR: Starts bashing the battery compartment with the screwdriver. ME: HELL YEAH NOW WE'RE RESTORING!

It warms my heart to see somebody giving a shit And taking care of older hardware

Those stepper motor hard drives make such a distinctive sound, they're recognizable anywhere. At some point, one got sampled into a sound effects collection and you hear it all the time in movies and video games (including Black Mesa, most recently). Every time I hear it, I get this nostalgia flashback as a teenage nerd sitting in front of my dad's Mac Plus in like 1986.

Everyone else: "Gotta wash my dishes in the sink." LGR: "Gotta wash my IBM in the sink, with slow sensual music."

"A lot of these are made by Kraft". They missed a huge opportunity by not manufacturing the Mac n' Cheese PC.

Wow. From my birth year. My dad worked at IBM Germany at this time (30 years in all). Bringing home 'old' Computers from there. Sadly he died 5 month ago

"Hey Alexa, i've decided to that your name is now Flerpelnerp" Flerpelnerp: D:<

Oh, man. Hearing that CRT ring when he powers up the monitor... it's like wince-stalgia.

Love how everyone who has them keeps saying how rare they are, and then casually shows 2 of them :) Lovely machines, but prefer the look and feel of the AT. But always great to see an old IBM restoration process !

Subtitles: [Classy Computer repair music]

The power up sounds is so nostalgic i actually miss these sounds like the floppy chatter.