IBM PC/XT (Model 5160): Part 6 (Quick Update, 2-Jul-2023)
18A quick update - bottom case has been primed (three coats), looking pretty good.
For the Persyst "Time Spectrum 384" multifunction card repair, I have started but have decided to replace it with a modern RAM expansion card. It would be neat to have the RTC functionality as well, but that's not as important as getting to the 640KB RAM limit at the moment.
Using @adriansdigitalbasement's RAM expansion card would allow me to recover two banks (128KB + two parity) of known-working 4164 DRAM chips from the motherboard, as well as another 384KB (of unknown status) from the Persyst card as well - very handy for future repairs.
Adrian's ISA RAM expansion card:
https://github.com/misterblack1/isa-ram-expansion
{Possible future project - combining Adrian's RAM card with RTC functionality?}
https://github.com/jensma-de/MM58167-ISA-RTC
I'm also planning to install an XT-IDE card so I can use a CF card for the hard drive:
https://github.com/glitchwrks/xt_ide
There is a remake of the original CGA card as well, or alternatively I might look at getting a 2nd-hand 8-bit ISA VGA card (much cheaper overall and no hassle of having to source parts & solder) ... not to run VGA but to have the option of (monochrome) CGA at least on the IBM Model 5151 monitor I have. I remember how slow EGA was on our 8086-based Amstrad PC1640 ... I'm nostalgic for playing the CGA version of games ...
https://github.com/hkzlab/CGA_Redux
Alternatively, a remake of an EGA card is also available:
https://github.com/hkzlab/ISA_EGA_CHIPS
https://github.com/monotech/EGA-Mono-Composite-Coverter
I would LOVE to build this but the parts are a bit pricey! It would be perfect though!
https://github.com/schlae/graphics-gremlin
More videos on troubleshooting IBM PCs & compatibles:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5pwokf56wMLjhEgssoRyZJO1VWeQ09ij