Contents |
Description
Computer
The National FS-4500 is a "Word-pro Persocom" (Word processor Personal Computer) with a built-in 24 dots thermal transfer printer. The FS-4500 was available in full black or in black and white. It was aimed at the Japanese market.
Firmware data can be saved on the FS-CR1008S cartridge. It contains 8kB SRAM and a battery to preserve them when the computer is off.
A dial on the left side allows a change of print density. With the dial set to the maximum, it is possible to print directly onto thermal paper. This way no ink cartridge is needed.
Three switches on the back allow a selection between JP50on or JIS keyboard layout, external printer or built-in printer and to bypass the firmware menu and go directly to BASIC on startup. On emulators, these switches are not yet emulated, so you can't bypass the firmware when booting the computer.
The original replacement ink cartridge is the CF-PR120, but you can also use the CF-PR110.
| Brand | National |
| Model | FS-4500 |
| Year | 1986-03 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥108,000 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-2, 8kB SRAM for software data back up |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX Cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149 integrated in MSX-Engine S3527) |
| Chipset | Yamaha S3527 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JP50on by default (JIS available with switch) + numeric keypad |
| Extras | Reset button, built-in printer, dial for selecting print density, switch for choosing keyboard layout, switch for selecting an external printer, switch for enabling/disabling the firmware, Kanji-ROM level 1, firmware: Japanese + English Word Processor, specific compound Kanji dictionary (not MSX-JE), kanji driver, Address Book & Business Card |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated with exception of the internal printer. The printer select switch is set to External printer and cannot be changed. The firmware application menu switch is enabled by default and cannot be changed. Keyboard switch is set to JIS and cannot be changed. |
Firmware
This computer comes with a built-in Japanese/English Word Processor with kana-kanji conversion, however the procedure is not compatible with MSX-JE.
The firmware menu presents 4 options:
- Japanese Word Processor (15 or 30 characters per line)
- English Word Processor (30 or 60 characters per line)
- Address Book & Business Card
- MSX-BASIC
Each Word Processor has a sub-menu with 7 options: 1 - New text - 2 - Edit text - 3 - Print - 4 - Save - 5 - Load 6 - Delete (only on disk) - 7 - Close and Reset. In options 1 and 2, you can access settings with F8.
Compared to the FS-4000 firmware, there are many improvements:
- 5 options instead of 2 for paper sizes for the printer, including B4
- Default device for saving of text and settings is automatically chosen by the computer: a disk drive if present, or otherwise tape.
- If both devices are available, you can toggle between them with the "-" (minus) key
- Better kana-kanji conversion as the Kanji Dictionary Tool corresponding to the FS-SR022 cartridge is integrated into the FS-4500
- Use of screen 7 instead of screen 2 for the Word Processors, which allows more characters per line (30 or 60 by default), but you can use the "-" (minus) key on the main menu to go back to the 'MSX1' setting (15 or 30 characters per line); pressing the "+" key restores the 'MSX2' default setting
- Addition of 2 extra options in the menu of the Word Processors
- Addition of the Address Book & Business Card utility, which uses screen 6
From MSX-BASIC, you can go back to the applications with
- CALL JWP or _JWP for the Japanese Word Processor 'MSX2' setting
- CALL JWP1 or _JWP1 for the Japanese Word Processor 'MSX1' setting
- CALL EWP or _EWP for the English Word Processor 'MSX2' setting
- CALL EWP1 or _EWP1 for the English Word Processor 'MSX1' setting
- CALL JUSHO or _JUSHO for the Address Book & Business Card utility
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Specifications
The National FS-4500 is a MSX2 with 2 cartridge slots (aligned one at the top). The CPU is a Z80 from Zilog (Z084C0004PSC). The MSX-Engine comes from Yamaha (S3527). The SRAM is a NEC D4364C-15L chip.
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 | Kanji driver 1 | Kanji driver 2 | 64kB Plain RAM | ||||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | Bunsetsu Henkan Jukugo | MSX Jusho | MSX Word-Pro 1 | MSX Word-Pro 2 | |||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | ||||||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM | Word-Pro Font | |||||||||||
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output (RGB21)
- 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)
External links
- Blog post about the FS-4500 (Korean)