Description

Computer

The Panasonic FS-A1F MSX2 is basically a FS-A1mkII with a built-in 3.5" floppy disk drive mounted on the front of the case, below the keyboard. The FS-A1F was available in black. It was aimed at the Japanese market.

This model has also been released by Kawai under the name KMC-5000.

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.

It can be also bypassed by software. For example, if you make a cartridge that requires disks, just write 023h in RAM at address 0C3CEh to avoid the Deskpac execution.

The built-in firmware is a new version of the well-known Panasonic DESKPAC software. It presents 8 options:

• 1 - Clock
• 2 - Calendar
• 3 - Calculator
• 4 - Disk Utility
• 5 - Word Processor, Address Book & Business Card
• 6 - Video Graphics (in screen 8)
• 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 application when you click on the left bottom rectangle (it acts like a toggle).

Options 4 to 6 require the utility disk in drive A. The Video Graphics application in screen 8 is a version without superimposing and digitizing support, but there's an icon for using the FS-RS500 scanner.

Option 5 leads to 5 sub-options:

• 1 - Word Processor (creating)
• 2 - Word Processor (editing)
• 3 - Business Card
• 4 - Adddress Book
• 5 - Cassette Label

Note: If you click on the screen in specific places with the mouse cursor, a hidden message is displayed. There are 5 hidden messages:

• Hello!!
• Produced by GOD ROOM
• ナンカまちがっちゃたみたいネ (Looks like you got wrong)
• ジョウダンはやめて (Stop joking!)
• アレッ！みつかっちゃた (Uh? You found it)

Software

An utility disk was provided with this computer.

Besides MSX-DOS 1, the disk includes several files that are useful with the firmware, optionally combined with the Panasonic FS-PW1 printer.

Pictures

Computer

Panasonic FS-A1F manuals, floppy disk and RF converter

Panasonic FS-A1F

Panasonic FS-A1F box

Panasonic FS-A1F back

Panasonic FS-A1F right side

FS-A1F battery location

Panasonic FS-A1F label

Panasonic FS-A1F/FS-A1FM drive

FS-A1F main PCB and disk drive

FS-A1F upgraded to 128kB PCB

FS-A1F/FS-A1FM drive PCB

Panasonic FS-A1F Utility disk

Firmware

DESKPAC Menu

DESKPAC Clock Settings

DESKPAC Screen Adjust

DESKPAC Clock

DESKPAC Calendar

DESKPAC Calculator

Options with Japanese names

Hidden message 1

Hidden message 2

Hidden message 3

Hidden message 4

Hidden message 5

Utility disk

DESKPAC Disk Utility

WP, Address Book & Business Card

DESKPAC Word Processor (creating)

DESKPAC Word Processor (editing)

DESKPAC Business Card

DESKPAC Address Book

DESKPAC Cassette Label

DESKPAC Video Graphics

Specifications

The Panasonic FS-A1F is a MSX2 with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back), a Z80A from Zilog (Z08400-04PSC), an MSX-Engine S1985 from Yamaha and the gate array uPD65013GF375 from NEC. The floppy disk controller is the Toshiba TC8566F.

This model can be easily upgraded to 128kB RAM by adding MB81464-12 x2 and two ceramic capacitors of 100 nF (104).

Floppy Disk Belt specifications:

Type: Rubber Belt
Thickness: 0.3mm
Diameter: 58mm
Width: 3mm

Slot Map

Connections

• RF output
• RGB 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

• 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 disable the partitions. You can also get the Bios v2.50b here. With this version, DEL key is replaced by the STOP key.
• Replacing the FDD with a PC-Drive
• Wiki article on restoring a MSX2 Panasonic FS-A1F
• Blog post about a FS-A1F keyboard cleaning (Korean)
• Cleaning and upgrading a FS-A1F to MSX2+, 512KB and adding MSX-MUSIC (Spanish)
• Internal 2/4MB RAM expansion board by RBSC
• Internal 4096kB upgrade (Japanese)
• Internal 512kB upgrade (Japanese)
• MSX2+ upgrade, repairing HIC-1 board, Adding S-Video output, FDD change and adding Gotek as second drive (Japanese)
• 4096kB upgrade kit (Japanese)
• Video board diagram circuit (direct download link)
• Blog post about replacing the FDD, part 1, part 2, part 3 (Korean)
• Replacing the old FDD belt of Panasonic, MSX2, * MSX2+ and turbo R. (sold on ebay, model Panasonic DFWV75C0009)
• 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.

• During a floppy drive belt swap, You must not unscrew the optical sensor from the drive... instead you must unsolder it from the FDD mainboard, and slip the belt over the optical sensor.

Panasonic FS-A1F Disk Drive Pins requiring unsoldering

Panasonic FS-A1F Disk Drive before Belt swap

Recommended batteries: Lithium batteries or Eneloop (white or cyan).
Batteries advised against: Alkaline batteries because they leak one day or another.

External links

• Panasonic FS-A1F on Generation-MSX
• Detailed look at the FS-A1F (Japanese)
• Video board diagram circuit (direct download link) (Japanese)
• Info about the NEC uPD65013GF375 gate array (Japanese)