Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, we take a closer look at a Tandy 1000 EX/HX computer expansion board designed by Rob Krenicki, a brilliant open-source project for the classic Tandy lineup. This modern expansion adds several powerful upgrades while keeping the vintage charm intact:
- 640 KB Base System Memory
- 96 KB Upper Memory for MS-DOS and driver support
- 16550-based DE9 Serial RS-232 Port
- XT-IDE CompactFlash "Hard Drive" with Universal BIOS
It's a fantastic example of how the retro computing community continues to push these vintage systems forward. The XT-IDE portion uses the well-known XT-IDE Universal BIOS, making setup and use straightforward.
If you'd like to build one yourself, check out the links below for full project details, CAD files, and documentation.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not take this video as a tutorial / advice. I'm not an expert, this is just my hobby :)
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youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Timestamps
0:00 Intro: Tandy 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Board by Rob Krenicki
0:08 The Specifications of the EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Board
0:51 Up close with the Tandy 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 PCB Expansion Board
1:26 RS-232 port and XT-IDE based CompactFlash IDE port
1:45 Open Source design on GitGub
2:19 Installing the Tandy 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 PCB
3:26 Showing the PCB installed in the Tandy 1000 HX 8088 computer
4:24 First boot smoke test in the Tandy 1000 HX computer
5:12 Booting into Direct Access 5.1 menu software
5:38 Games, Games, Games on the Direct Access menu
6:30 Outro
Links mentioned in this video
Github - 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Board by Rob Krenicki:
github.com/rkrenicki/Tandy-EX-HX-3in1
Rob Krenicki's Retro Projects:
tindie.com/products/rkrenicki/tandy-1000-exhx-3-in-1-upgrade-pcb-kit
KiCAD Electronic Design Automation (EDA):
kicad.org
eBay sellers (not sponsored) offering 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Boards:
Verault: ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/Verault
Leadacid: ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/Leadacid
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Explore more retro tech, vintage computing, gaming, and nostalgia content at:
geekwithsocialskills.com
#retrocomputing #vintagecomputer #retrotech #septandy
In this video, we take a closer look at a Tandy 1000 EX/HX computer expansion board designed by Rob Krenicki, a brilliant open-source project for the classic Tandy lineup. This modern expansion adds several powerful upgrades while keeping the vintage charm intact:
- 640 KB Base System Memory
- 96 KB Upper Memory for MS-DOS and driver support
- 16550-based DE9 Serial RS-232 Port
- XT-IDE CompactFlash "Hard Drive" with Universal BIOS
It's a fantastic example of how the retro computing community continues to push these vintage systems forward. The XT-IDE portion uses the well-known XT-IDE Universal BIOS, making setup and use straightforward.
If you'd like to build one yourself, check out the links below for full project details, CAD files, and documentation.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not take this video as a tutorial / advice. I'm not an expert, this is just my hobby :)
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Timestamps
0:00 Intro: Tandy 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Board by Rob Krenicki
0:08 The Specifications of the EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Board
0:51 Up close with the Tandy 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 PCB Expansion Board
1:26 RS-232 port and XT-IDE based CompactFlash IDE port
1:45 Open Source design on GitGub
2:19 Installing the Tandy 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 PCB
3:26 Showing the PCB installed in the Tandy 1000 HX 8088 computer
4:24 First boot smoke test in the Tandy 1000 HX computer
5:12 Booting into Direct Access 5.1 menu software
5:38 Games, Games, Games on the Direct Access menu
6:30 Outro
Links mentioned in this video
Github - 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Board by Rob Krenicki:
github.com/rkrenicki/Tandy-EX-HX-3in1
Rob Krenicki's Retro Projects:
tindie.com/products/rkrenicki/tandy-1000-exhx-3-in-1-upgrade-pcb-kit
KiCAD Electronic Design Automation (EDA):
kicad.org
eBay sellers (not sponsored) offering 1000 EX HX 3-in-1 Expansion Boards:
Verault: ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/Verault
Leadacid: ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/Leadacid
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Explore more retro tech, vintage computing, gaming, and nostalgia content at:
geekwithsocialskills.com
#retrocomputing #vintagecomputer #retrotech #septandy
