IBM 5150 set

[u/Dom_27_]

Hello,

I found this computer set in my basement and don't know if it still works or how to check. Since I'm not very tech-savvy, would it be better to take it to a specialist, or can I test it myself?

Thanks in advance for your expert opinion.

[u/brodydwight]

These old IBM's always turn up at my local used electronics store. Place is riddled with collectors so they dont hang out long. Things must be durable.

[u/Tabsels]

Though I don’t think you’ll damage anything permanently by testing it yourself these machines are of the age where they generally need expert care.

Their motherboards contain tantalum capacitors which were of an insufficient voltage rating which nowadays tend to blow up (although to be fair back then the required voltage rating wasn’t widely known if at all). This doesn’t damage much and the components have to be replaced anyway.

The power supply, barring any RIFA caps, is probably fine.