It's been so long since I had and XT .. I don't recall the exact power connector pinout (or even if it was standard)

You power connector looks like the same "split" connector that is used by AT, but you would have to make absolutely sure the voltages match what they should be (wire colors matching would be a good sign, but I'd still test to be sure), and re-wire if needed (and if the connector is actually not "right", you could graft on the one from the old supply).

I doubt current capacity would be a problem, XTs usually used less than ATs but earlier ATs didn't use that much that it might not regulate peoperly on XT load. (this can be a concern when adapting an newer ATX supply)

DTK PIM-TURBO. I also have one. It's using a Schrack EG071068-D 130W PSU. The case is stock 5160 so I assume this is the original PSU and the motherboard was swapped at some time.

I got turbo mode working by connecting the jumper to a round pushbutton switch mounted in what was probably originally the I/O bracket from a Microsoft InPort mouse card.

This computer has a faulty memory problem which I need to fix, so it's not fully functional. (Only small programs run.)

I have another 5160, in stock condition, fully functional, which uses an ESAN ESP-135 135W PSU.

Have not tried this myself, but you can apparently use an AT PSU on an XT motherboard because the additional AT +5V signal does not connect to anything on the XT board.

Thank you ! That diagram is very helpfull. Indeed the XT PSU has one red wire missing. I checked and it is alive. I get some boot screen with XT-Bios... and then some error code #5. Now imediately I have another question - the same "Trick" i.e. using newer AT class harware will not work for the Keyboard right ? So I will either need a real XT class keyboard (I dont have one) or some adapter (I do have an AT Keyboard - with 5pin DIM connector) ? What would be the fastest solution so I can continue testing ?

Thanks

Aui wrote on 2026-04-15, 06:16:

Thank you ! That diagram is very helpfull. Indeed the XT PSU has one red wire missing. I checked and it is alive. I get some boot screen with XT-Bios... and then some error code #5. Now imediately I have another question - the same "Trick" i.e. using newer AT class harware will not work for the Keyboard right ? So I will either need a real XT class keyboard (I dont have one) or some adapter (I do have an AT Keyboard - with 5pin DIM connector) ? What would be the fastest solution so I can continue testing ?

If there is only 2 instead of 3 RED wires, it should still work. These are in parallel and are multiple to handle higher current needed by some expansion cards.
Unless you have it loaded with a lot fo extras, 2 should be enough.

An XT needs and XT keyboard, the interface changed a bit with the AT... Some third party keyboards of that era has a switch where you could select AT or XT.

IIRC the original XT didn't have visible POST error code, and used a series of beeps - IIRC 5 was something fairly serious and it wouldn't get far enough to show a screen.

It would seem this one has some sort of enhanced POST a showing Error#5 might indicate "bad or missing keyboard"
- also worth confirming that this board doesn't expect an AT type keyboard - it looks like it might have been "improved" from original XT -

Keyboard you need is IBM Model F or compatible. I have one, but they're crazy expensive nowadays.

A cheaper alternative is an AT and PS/2 to XT adaptor. These enable to you to use newer keyboards with these old PC and XT machines.

Ok - I checked the XT Keyboards - seem to be more expensive than the computer itself. Where did you got these adapters are they bought or DIY ?

thanks

I bought mine on amibay, but I no longer remember who was selling them.

It was also a long time ago, and apparently more sophisticated ones exist now that support USB keyboards as well:

https://www.ebay.it/itm/395122448247

Hi again, Im back to my XT and made a little progress. Recently, I incidentally looked under one of my AT keyboards and found the following:

So I sent the switches to XT and started the computer (also tried auto).
At first the keyboard was responsive and pressing a key woud bring me from one error message screen to the next
But after a while, the keyboard started pushing buttons automatically (mostly "m")
With a loud beep I get error 5 and then error one and then it keeps refreshing error one every few seconds (after a key is pushed by itself)

the PC has a floppy controller and com ports installed which I removed - but that did not do anything (floppys are not addressed)

I tried to install an XT IDE but that did not do anything either

I still have hope as I now have power and video output already

Any suggestions how to troubleshoot this further ?

Thanks

Quick update: the Keyboard stopped pushing buttons by itself automatically - the sequence I get now is:

- System error #05, Continue ? (I push a button)
- System error #01, Continue ? (I push a button)
- System error #01, Continue ? (I push a button) etc.

(After pushing a button - all three keyboard light up for a splitsecond)

thanks