VWestlife | Zenith Z-148 rare retro PC Rifa repair & review @vwestlife | Uploaded March 2023 | Updated October 2024, 3 days ago.
The Z-148 was Zenith Data Systems' unsuccessful entry-level PC, from 1985 to 1987. I explain its history, replace the failed Rifa capacitors in mine, give an overview of its design, and show it in operation.

Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
0:42 Zenith Z-148 history
3:14 Teardown
4:20 Roasted Rifa capacitors
8:56 CPU board
10:45 I/O board
12:32 System timing
13:55 Upgrades
15:41 Power-up & Zenith quirks
18:55 Floppy drives
20:28 MS-DOS in only 256K?
22:02 Keyboard
23:26 Zenith's nadir
24:06 A cure for upgraditis

Relevant videos:

BBC Micro X2 EVOX RIFA capacitors going POP
youtube.com/watch?v=TU55-7dWMi0

RIFA AC Filter Capacitor Blowup
youtube.com/watch?v=njbwdbcfXjc

Zenith Data Systems vintage 84-key AT keyboard
youtube.com/watch?v=OvbpOPuTFEY

New SmartWatch+ clock module for Tandy 1000s & XTs
youtube.com/watch?v=rpPQUkoSyNE

Zenith eaZy PC review
youtube.com/watch?v=zPdKIrVV-fU

For more detailed technical information, here is the service manual for the Z-148:
mediafire.com/folder/a4167tszjjc3m/Zenith_Z-130-140_Series

#zenith #rifa #capacitor