Contents |
Description
Computer
The HB-F9S was a computer made and released by Sony. It was meant for the Spanish market. This model has been sold in several other European countries as the HB-F9P.
The HB-F9S has two cartridge slots in the upper right corner. The power button is on the left of the machine, the reset button was located left of the cartridge slots.
It is still used in some parts of Spain for the Driver's License Test on cartridge, combined with a box containig handlers connected to simulate the future driver hand-eye coordination. Other MSX2 computers used for that are Mitsubishi ML-G1 and Philips NMS 8245.
| Brand | Sony |
| Model | HB-F9S |
| Year | 1986 |
| Region | Spain |
| Launch price | |
| RAM | 128kB in slot 3-2 |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149 integrated in MSX-Engine S1985) |
| Chipset | Yamaha S1985 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY with a "ñ" key + numeric keypad |
| Extras | Firmware, reset button |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated |
Firmware
The HB-F9S has a firmware called MemoVision whose Roms are located at slots 3-0 and 3-1. It contains some desk tools (calculator, calendar, timer and clock for six countries) and a family agenda.
Bypassing the firmware requires the user to press the GRAPH key during startup until Beep sound.
MemoVision can save its data to three 3 media:
- A battery powered SRAM cartridge (HBI-55)
- On tape, by pressing SHIFT during boot
- On disk by having a floppy in the drive while booting
By default, the firmware is in Spanish, but you can choose another language, what will modify the Area code stored in the Ricoh RP-5C01 clockchip as follows:
| Value | Language |
|---|---|
| 04 | English |
| 05 (default value) | Spanish |
| 06 | French |
| 07 | Italian |
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Spanish Driver Test
Specifications
The HB-F9S is a MSX2 with a Z80A from Sharp (LH0080A) or NEC (uPD780C) and an MSX-Engine S1985 from Yamaha.
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 | 128kB Memory Mapper | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | MemoVision 2 | MemoVision 1 | |||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output
- 6-pin DIN Audio/Video connector
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
- 220V AC Power socket
Links
- Manual de Instrucciones del Archivo Personal. (MemoVision manual in Spanish)
- Service Manual