Contents |
Description
Computer
The Panasonic FS-A1mkII is identical to the FS-A1 but with an additional keypad.
It was aimed at the Japanese market and available only in dark gray.
The computer includes a pause button that allows users to pause the system at will.
It was provided with the external power adapter FS-AA51.
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Model | FS-A1mkII |
| Year | 1987 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥29.800 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-0 |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (integrated in MSX-Engine S1985) |
| Chipset | Yamaha S1985 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JIS + numeric keypad |
| Extras | pause button, DESKPAC firmware, Panasonic FS-JS221 joypad |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated. |
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. If you press GRAPH key the SRAM of the RTC will be initialized.
It can be also bypassed by software. For example, if you make a cartridge that requires disks, just write 023h in RAM at address 0C3D2h to avoid the Deskpac execution.
The built-in firmware is the second version of the well-known Panasonic DESKPAC software. It presents 8 options:
- 1 - Clock
- 2 - Calendar
- 3 - Calculator
- 4 - Game 1 - Roulette
- 5 - Game 2 - Memory
- 6 - Game 3 - Shooting
- 7 - MSX-BASIC
- 8 - Screen Colors
Besides, icons give access to Clock Settings and Screen Adjust. The icons of options 4 to 6 can be replaced by the Japanese name of the corresponding game when you click on the left bottom rectangle (it acts like a toggle).
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Specifications
The Panasonic FS-A1mKII is a MSX2 with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back), a Z80A from ROHM (BU18400A-PS) and an MSX-Engine S1985 from Yamaha.
The FS-AA51 power adapter specifications are the same as the Sony AC-HB3 adapter for the Sony HB-F1 and HB-F1II.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | 64kB RAM | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | Deskpac 1 | Deskpac 3 | ||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Deskpac 2 | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
Connections
- RGB output
- RF output
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
Maintenance / Repair / Upgrades
- Memory upgrade to 512KB (Japanese)
- Memory upgrade to 512KB (Portuguese)
- If you use the CF/IDE Sunrise, you need to redefine the key with IDKEYSET.COM. For example, replace the DEL key by the STOP key to de-activate the partitions. You can also get the Bios v2.50b here. With this version, DEL key is replaced by the STOP key.
- The systemboard has a daughterboard called "HIC-1" which contains three SMD electrolytic capacitors which will leak over time and badly damage the board around it. Please see this thread about replacing them.
- MSX 2+ conversion and memory upgrade to 512KB (Portuguese)
- Video board diagram circuit (direct download link)
Recommended batteries: Lithium batteries or Eneloop (white or cyan).
Batteries advised against: Alkaline batteries because they leak one day or another.