Description

Computer

Sakhr Computers was a Kuwaiti company (Al Alamiah co.) that was selling MSX computers imported from Japan in all of the Arab world. These MSX were localized and rebranded for some Arabic markets.

The AX-370 is the downgraded Sanyo WAVY PHC-70FD MSX2+ computer localised by Al Alamiah with more RAM (128kB instead of 64kB).

The Rensha controller (autofire), the Pause key and the X-BASIC (or Turbo-Basic) have been removed, the MSX2+ bios roms have been replaced by MSX2 roms, but there's still the MSX2+ videochip, the Yamaha V9958. It means that software using in language machine the MSX2+ features, especially SCREEN 10 to 12 and the horizontal scrolling, can be runned on this MSX2 computer.

This model has an Arabic QWERTY keyboard, whose matrix is similar to the one used in the Sanyo Wavy 23 and Philips NMS 8250/8255/8280 computers.

After power on without pressing the CTRL key, the computer will be in Arabic mode. In this mode:

• the combination of the GRAPH key with an alphabetic key will display an MSX-BASIC instruction on the screen
• the extra STAR key can be used in a similar way to the GRAPH key
• some combinations can produce accented characters instead of MSX-BASIC instructions

Firmware

This machine comes with version 2.03 of Arabic firmware, present on all Sakhr/Al Alamiah computers.

The firmware can be skipped by pressing CTRL key while booting and until you hear a first beep. By doing that, the machine will be in International mode and the Arabic characters will not be available. If a software (even in cartridge) doesn't work, try it in this mode.

Note: If you continue to press CTRL until a second beep, you will get only one drive (the A: drive) even if you have added an external diskdrive.

This firmware adds Arabic characters, new MSX-BASIC instructions (see Arabic BASIC) and 4 applications. You can choose them in the menu with the keys 1 to 4:

• English / Arabic Word Processor
• Sakhr BASIC that allows to use MSX-BASIC directly in Arabic language - it is designed for the programmers who want to easily toggle between Arabic and English when using MSX-BASIC (by pressing F7)
• The Painter (Arabic version) - graphic tool in screen 5 (the original version can be found in the Yamaha YIS-805)
• Calendar

By comparison with version 2.02, a new application has been added, it's Sakhr BASIC.

If you press key 5 when you are in the menu, you will go to MSX-BASIC.

From MSX-BASIC in Arabic mode, you can

• go to the menu with CALL MENU or _MENU
• launch the Word Processor with CALL SWP or _SWP
• launch Sakhr Basic with CALL SBASIC or _SBASIC
• launch the Calendar with CALL CALENDAR or _CALENDAR
• launch The Painter with CALL PAINT or _PAINT

If you are in International mode:

• only CALL SWP or _SWP can be used, you will directly go to the English Word Processor. It's not recommended to use the other instructions without first enabling the Arabic mode.
• you can fully enable the Arabic mode with CALL ARABIC, _ARABIC, CALL ARABON or _ARABON

Pictures

Computer

Sakhr AX-370

Sakhr AX-370 back

Sakhr AX-370 right side

Sakhr AX-370 manual

Sakhr AX-370 PCB

Sakhr AX-370 PCB underside

Sakhr AX-370 label

Sakhr AX-370 box

Firmware

Menu

Arabic firmware version 2.03

Arabic firmware 2.03 menu

Word Processor

English/Arabic Word Processor

Arabic Word Processor

English Word Processor

Sakhr Basic

Sakhr Basic

The Painter

The Painter (Arabic version)

The Painter (Arabic version)

Calendar

Arabic Calendar

English Calendar

Specifications

The AX-370 is a MSX2 with a V9958 from Yamaha and a Z80A integrated in MSX-Engine T9769B from Toshiba.

Slot Map

Connections

• RGB output
• RF output
• Analog sound & Composite video
• Data Recorder connector
• Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
• 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
• 2 cartridge slots

Links

• Sakhr AX-370 taken apart - photo gallery