Contents |
Description
Computer
The HX-23 is the first MSX2 computer released by Toshiba for the Japanese market with the "Pasopia IQ" label and as option a RS-232C interface with switch.
The PSG sound output is stereo, with a switch at the back.
The VRAM is limited to 64kb, what makes impossible to use SCREEN 7 and 8.
This computer was aimed at the Japanese market.
| Brand | Toshiba |
| Model | HX-23 |
| Year | 1985 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥98,000 |
| RAM | 64kB split between slots 0 and 3-0 |
| VRAM | 64kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (AY-3-8910A) |
| Chipset | Toshiba TCX-1012 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JIS |
| Extras | firmware (Japanese Word Processor - Kanji-Kun v.2.5), Printer BASIC, stereo PSG sound, RS-232C BASIC, (optional) Toshiba HX-R701 RS-232C interface + switch |
| Emulation | System is emulated based on HX-23F ROM dumps. Validation is needed that they are indeed the same. See this thread for details |
Firmware
The built-in firmware is version 2.5 of the Japanese Word Processor, that is also available on the other Japanese computers of the HX-2x serie. From BASIC, the firmware can be launched with CALL JWP or _JWP. It includes the additionnal BASIC instructions for RS-232C and printer.
However, you need to have the HX-M200 Kanji-ROM Level 1 in one of the cartridge slots. Note that the corresponding machine in the blueMSX emulator includes this cartridge.
It is possible to use other Kanji Roms, but if you use the Sony HBI-K16 Kanji-ROM Level 1, CALL JWP leads to a I/O device error. To bypass this problem, an addendum to the manual of the Sony cartridge gives the solution:
10 FOR I = &H9080 TO &H9120 : POKE I, &HC9 : NEXT I 20 CALL JWPKAKU
The main menu includes 6 options:
- Japanese Word Processor - if you press twice on ESC, you can access many WP features
- Conversion Tools
- Load and Save
- Printer Settings and Print
- Full Book Deletion
- Tools for Idioms and Short Sentences
CTRL+STOP can be used to go back to the previous menu or the main menu, except if you are in the first option. You need to reboot to quit the Japanese Word Processor.
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Specifications
The HX-23 is a MSX2 with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back) and a a Z80A from Sharp (LH-0080A). The 2 joystick ports are located on the right side of the computer, as well as the data recorder connector. As the VRAM size is only 64kB, SCREEN 7 and 8 can't be used.
The 64kB RAM is split in half between the slots 0 and 3-0, a configuration that can cause poorly written software to crash. Also, with this layout, the POKE-1,(15-PEEK(-1)\16)*17 trick to workaround buggy software that does not handle subslots properly will not work on this machine.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Upper 32k RAM | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | JWP 2 | JWP 1 RS-232C | ||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Lower 32k RAM | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output
- Analog sound (stereo) & Composite video
- Slot for the HX-R701 optional RS-232C connector
- 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)