Contents |
Description
Computer
The FS-A1WX is a computer released on the Japanese market by Panasonic. It is almost the same as the FS-A1FX but with MSX-MUSIC and a Japanese Word processor as extra, which explains why the "取消" (Cancel) and "実行" (Execute) keys have been added to the keyboard.
The 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.
It was also sold
- in a monstruous educational box with the thermal printer FS-PA1 and 20 floppy disks containing 85 lessons, created by the Com Intex (= Computer Communication Inter Exchange) company, previously available with the MSX2 National FS-4600F, Sanyo MPC-25FS and Sanyo PHC-77 computers
- in a special bundle (FS-A1WXH) containing the computer, the thermal printer FS-PA1 and three games: Galaxian, Hydlide 3 and Snatcher
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Model | FS-A1WX |
| Year | 1988-10-21 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥69.800 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-0 + 16kB SRAM |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | 720kB 3,5" floppy disk drive |
| Video | Yamaha V9958 |
| Audio | PSG, MSX-MUSIC |
| Chipset | Toshiba T9769 model A or B 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, 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 press the DEL key during boot until a Beep sound or to change the position of the front switch before booting the computer.
By comparison with the version available on the F1S-A1FX, the built-in Cockpit software has been completely revised to integrate the Word Processor with the MSX-JE input system for the kana-kanji conversion.
The options to change the screen colors or adjust the screen have been removed and three other options have been transferred as full independent programs on a floppy disk.
The firmware menu includes 9 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 - Mouse and Printer Settings
- 8 - Accessories (Calculator, Calendar and Clock Settings)
- 9 - 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 - Picture Gallery (in screen 12)
- 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.
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-A1WX 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.
Main RAM can be natively expanded to 256kB internally. (See below)
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.
- Slot 0-2 has also disable possibility that can be activated by setting bit 0 to some byte between #7FF0-#7FFF on that slot.
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Data Recorder connector
- 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
- Panasonic FS-A1WX on Generation-MSX
- Replacing the old FDD belt of Panasonic MSX2+ and turbo R. (sold on ebay - product code: Panasonic FW-U1P501J)
- Replacing the FDD with a PC-Drive
- Adding a 2nd Drive
- Detailed PDF Schematics (Look for PDF to download file) (Japanese)
- RAM Upgrade
- Circuit diagram and parts list
- FS-A1WX/FX Circuit schematic and parts list (Japanese)
- Detailed comparison of the FS-A1FX and FS-A1WX (Japanese)
- Blog post about a FS-A1WX RAM upgrade (Korean)
- Blog post about cleaning a FS-A1WX, part 1 , part2
Recommended batteries: Lithium batteries or Eneloop (white or cyan).
Batteries advised against: Alkaline batteries because they leak one day or another.