Description

Hardware

Japanse MSX-Write II is a cartridge released in 1988 by ASCII that can be used on any MSX2 and higher computer with at least 64kB RAM and 128kB VRAM.

Just like it predecessor MSX-Write it has MSX-JE, but this time has both Kanji-ROM Level 1 and 2. It also has battery backed 32kB SRAM, and a newer version of the Japanese Word Processor.

A double dipswitch on the cartridge allows to disable the Kanji-ROM Level 1 alone or both Levels 1 and 2, so you are able to use the Word Processor also on a machine that has a built-in Kanji-ROM.

Launch price: ￥24,800 (Registered owners of MSX-Write I could trade in their V1 for 12,000 yen.)

Software

The menu of the Japanese Word Processor has 4 options:

• Access to the Word Processor
• Settings - you can choose to work in 30 or 40 characters mode and 3 different layouts are available, it is also possible to enable or disable the lauching of the Word Processor when you boot the computer
• Kanji Utility - you can choose between a 16 dot mode and a 24 dot mode
• Access to MSX-BASIC

The Word Processor can be accessed from BASIC with CALL WRITE or _WRITE. In this case, the intro screen is bypassed and you go directly to the menu.

Gallery

Hardware

ASCII MSX-Write II box

ASCII MSX-Write II

ASCII MSX-Write II PCB

ASCII MSX-Write II PCB underside

ASCII MSX-Write II switch

ASCII MSX-Write II packaging

Software

MSX-Write II Intro screen

MSX-Write II Menu

MSX-Write II Settings

MSX-Write II Word Processor layout 1

MSX-Write II Word Processor layout 2

MSX-Write Word II Processor layout 3

MSX-Write II Kanji Utility

MSX-Write II Kanji Utility 16 dot mode

MSX-Write II Kanji Utility 24 dot mode

MSX-Write II Work screen after pressing on ESC

MSX-Write II Word Processor 40 column mode

Links

• ASCII MSX-Write II - Generation-MSX
• Detailed look at MSX-Write II (Japanese) - archived version
• Blog post about MSX-Write II (Korean)