Contents |
Description
Computer
The FS-A1WSX is a computer released on the Japanese market by Panasonic. It was the successor of the FS-A1WX and incorporated a few changes :
- the Data Recorder connector is replaced by a S-Video output
- the cassette port on this machine is combined with the RGB connector, it is possible to load/save via this connector, but the volume is very low by comparison with the normal tape interface
A Ren-Sha Turbo feature provides auto-fire mode while playing games. The repetition speed can be adjusted with a slider.
This model was available in black.
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Model | FS-A1WSX |
| Year | 1989-10 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥69.800 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-0 + 16kB SRAM |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges, 720kB 3,5" floppy disks |
| Video | Yamaha V9958 |
| Audio | PSG, MSX-MUSIC |
| Chipset | Toshiba T9769 model B or C and gate array Mitsubishi M50014 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JIS + numeric keypad |
| Extras | CPU Turbo mode, 720kB 3,5" floppy disk drive, firmware switch, pause button, Ren-Sha Turbo slider (autofire), Kanji-ROM level 1 & 2, Kanji BASIC, MSX-MUSIC BASIC, firmware (A1 Cockpit, Word Processor with support for color printers, MSX-JE), system disk for option 3 of firmware, utility disk with MSX-DOS 1 and tools |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated. The firmware switch is emulated in the OFF position, such that the machine will not by default boot to the integrated firmware application. This can be changed in openMSX with the "set firmwareswitch on" command. |
Firmware
The firmware is launched automatically when you boot the machine. Bypassing this software on startup requires the user to change the position of the front switch before booting the computer. Contrary to the previous Panasonic MSX2 and MSX2+ machines, the DEL key no longer disables the built-in firmware application while booting.
By comparison with the FS-A1WX, the built-in Cockpit software is very similar, but has color printer support. The design of the main menu and the other options has been revisited, the music of the Cockpit is no longer deafening.
The firmware menu includes 10 options:
- 1 - Japanese Word Processor
- 2 - Beginner Word Processor
- 3 - Word Processor Lessons (requires the System disk)
- 4 - Address Book
- 5 - Business Card
- 6 - AV Labels (Video - Cassette - Diskette)
- 7 - AV Labels (Custom)
- 8 - Accessories (Calculator, Calendar and Clock Settings)
- 9 - Mouse and Printer Settings
- 0 - MSX-BASIC
From MSX-BASIC, you can go to the firmware menu with CALL MENU or _MENU.
Floppy disks
Two floppy disks were provided with this computer:
- the first disk is a System disk, required to use option 3 of the firmware
- the second disk is an Utility disk that contains MSX-DOS 1 and has its own menu:
- 1 - Disk Utility
- 2 - Video Graphics (in screen 8)
- 3 - Color Printer Tool
- 4 - MSX-BASIC
The Video Graphics application in screen 8 is a version without superimposing and digitizing support, but there's an icon for using the FS-RS500 scanner.
Option 3 is designed for the Panasonic FS-PC1 color printer.
When you close one of these applications, you go back to the MSX-DOS command line. You can then enter TOOL to relaunch the menu of the Utility disk.
To run MSX-DOS, choose option 4 in the menu to go to BASIC, then enter CALL SYSTEM. You can also press CTRL+STOP when booting with the disk in drive A, this to avoid the launching of the Tools menu.
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Utility disk
Specifications
The FS-A1WSX is a MSX2+ with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back) and a Z80A integrated in MSX-Engine T9769(A or B) from Toshiba. This Z80A can be switched from to 3.58 MHz to 5.37 MHz via I/O ports. The floppy disk controller is the Toshiba TC8566AF.
There is a front switch to disable the firmware execution on startup.
This model supports up to 256 kB of RAM after doing a little soldering. 512 kB is also possible with a more complicated modification. (See below)
The Panasonic FS-PC1 printer is required to print in color.
Floppy Disk Belt specifications:
Type: Rubber Belt
Thickness: 0.3mm
Diameter: 58mm
Width: 3mm
Slot Map
| Slot | Slot | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | 0-1 | 0-2 | 0-3 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | 3-0 | 3-1 | 3-2 | 3-3 | ||||
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | 64kB Memory Mapper | Panasonic mapper | |||||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | Kanji driver | ||||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | MSX-Music | Disk ROM | ||||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM | ||||||||||||
- Slot 3-3 is divided into 8kB Pages using the Panasonic mapper. Each can contain internal RAM, ROM or SRAM. A1 Cockpit runs in this slot.
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output/cassette port
- S-Video output
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
- Power Plug male for main power supply (JIS C 8303 class, AC 100V +/-10% 50/60Hz)
CPU Turbo mode
Contrary to Sony and Sanyo MSX2+ systems which run only at 3.58 MHz, the Panasonic systems are capable of running at 5.37 MHz. In Basic this can be achieved with the following commands:
Activating the 5.37 MHz Mode
Switching to Turbo 5.37 MHz mode can be activated with this command:
OUT 64,8: OUT 65,0
Prefer to use the following line in your program:
IF PEEK(&H2D)=2 THEN OUT 64,8:IF INP(64)=247 THEN IF (INP(65) AND 4)=0 THEN OUT 65,0
Deactivating the 5.37 MHz Mode
Switching back to 3.58 MHz is done with this command:
OUT 64,8: OUT 65,1
Prefer to use the following line in your program:
IF PEEK(&H2D)=2 THEN OUT 64,8:IF INP(64)=247 THEN IF (INP(65) AND 4)=0 THEN OUT 65,1
Maintenance / Repair / Upgrades
- Circuit Diagram from Service Manual page 55-64
- Replacing the drive belt of the EME-213 MA (Japanese)
- Replacing the old FDD belt of Panasonic MSX2+ and turbo R. (sold on ebay - product code: Panasonic FW-U1P501J)
- RAM Upgrade
- Blog post about a FS-A1WSX RAM upgrade (Korean)
Recommended batteries: Lithium batteries or Eneloop (white or cyan).
Batteries advised against: Alkaline batteries because they leak one day or another.