1988 Packard Bell PB 500 "Turbo XT" computer

This late '80s "Turbo XT" 10 MHz 8088 computer from Packard Bell was built using high quality name-brand components -- Seagate, Western Digital, and ATI -- and is still in perfect working condition. Back in the day it ran Word Perfect, as indicated by the keyboard template, and probably other popular DOS applications like Lotus 1-2-3. Not built for speed or fancy graphics, but just an affordable workhorse computer of its time.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• packard
• bell
• pb
• 500
• pb500
• 8088
• 10
• 9.54
• mhz
• turbo
• xt
• pc
• computer
• system
• 1988
• 1980s
• 80s
• dos
• ms-dos
• wordperfect
• cga
• mda
• ati
• small
• wonder
• seagate
• st-225
• st225
• mfm
• hard
• drive

[80486er]

In case the battery is actually "leaking", you really should replace it with a new, simple Ni-MH battery or an ordinary non-rechargable lithium battery like the C2032. A C2032 is powering the RTC of my old 80386XS.

[vwestlife]

@80486er I have already replaced the battery (this video is nearly 2 years old).

[sarajwil]

Great video, thanks for posting it!! I have one of these machines too, and I cannot figure out what keys you are pushing to enter turbo mode. Can you please let me know? I've been pushing keys like mad trying to figure it out. :-)

[vwestlife]

@sarajwil Ctrl-Alt-plus (on the numeric keypad). Ctrl-Alt-minus puts it back in slow mode (4.77 MHz).

[BenBasque]

is it just me, or does anyone else like the sound those old keybords make?

[vwestlife]

@thebeastinme1 It was just a slip. I've been watching too many Brits recently on YouTube. :-)

[19FD89]

@youtubasoarus They are! I've got one of these clicky ones. They're better than those we use in college

[oldtwins]

@TeamRocketReviews Ebay? Problem with these things are that a lot of the parts will be untested and may not work anymore or have problems and shipping can get real expensive.

[youtubasoarus]

@BenBasque - Try using them, you'll fall in love. The clackity keyboards are heaven to use.

[youtubasoarus]

That is so awesome! 

[vwestlife]

@terracon Actually the 8088 is a 16 bit processor as well, but it only has an 8-bit input/output bus, and does not have a Protected Mode, so it can't do multitasking. Windows 3.1 requires Protected Mode, so that's why it won't run on an 8088.

[terracon]

@matthew65536 Windows 3.1 requires a 16-bit processor (80286 minimum). The 8080/8088 was only a 8-bit processor.

[PB70CDOEM]

if you Can, is there any way that you can Make Disk image Files of all the Disks that Came with that Computer, Thanks

[sarajwil]

@vwestlife

Hmm, it doesn't work, but I don't have the original PB keyboard. I have a later 101 key with the xt/at switch. It's working fine, but the command doesn't work, with numlock on or off. Thanks for the info!