Description

Computer

Sakhr Computers was a Kuwaiti company that was selling MSX computers imported from Japan in Egypt and the Persian Gulf States. These MSX were localized by Al Alamiah (the parent company at that time) and rebranded for the Arabic market.

The AX-100 is the adaptation for Arabic countries of the Yamaha YIS-503 and was sold without FM module. The keyboard is Arabic. The power supply is the external NP 55160. It is heavy and big.

It has the Sakhr logo, but was manufactured by Yamaha, it's a similar situation to the Daewoo DPC-200/CPC-300 computers released outside Korea under several different brand names.

After booting without pressing the CTRL key, the computer will be in Arabic mode. In this mode:

• the combination of the GRAPH key with an alphabetic key will display an MSX-BASIC instruction on the screen
• the extra STAR key can be used in a similar way to the GRAPH key
• some combinations can produce accented characters instead of MSX-BASIC instructions

Firmware

This machine comes with version 1.0 of Arabic firmware, present on all Sakhr/Al Alamiah computers.

The firmware can be skipped by pressing CTRL key while booting and until you hear a first beep. By doing that, the machine will be in International mode and the Arabic characters will not be available. If a software (even in cartridge) doesn't work, try it in this mode.

Note: If you continue to press CTRL until a second beep, you will get only one drive (the A: drive) if you have added external diskdrives.

This firmware adds Arabic characters, new MSX-BASIC instructions (see Arabic BASIC) and 4 applications. You can choose them in the menu with the keys 1 to 4:

• Calendar - is only in Arabic language and has two options (Monthly Calendar and Daily Calendar), it will be completely different in higher versions of the firmware.
• Graphics, a graphic tool in screen 2
• Arabic Writer (Word Processor)
• English Writer (Word Processor)

These options remain unchanged on all Sakhr/Al Alamiah MSX1 computers.

If you press key 5 when you are in the menu, you will go to MSX-BASIC.

Going back to the menu is possible with CALL MENU or _MENU (don't use it if you are in International mode !).

Pictures

Computer

Sakhr AX-100

Sakhr AX-100 underside

Sakhr AX-100 with power suppy

Sakhr AX-100 left side

Sakhr AX-100 label

Sakhr AX-100 right side

Sakhr AX-100 back

Firmware

Arabic firmware version 1.0

Arabic firmware 1.0 menu

Calendar submenu

Calendar 1

Calendar 2

Graphics

Arabic Writer

English Writer

Specifications

The AX-100 is a MSX1 with a Z80A from Sharp (LH-0080A). It supports all Yamaha modules.

Slot Map

Connections

• RF output
• Analog sound & Composite video (Pal)
• Data Recorder connector
• Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
• 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
• 1 cartridge slot
• 1 module slot (left side, 60 pin connector)
• 1 expansion bus slot that is unusable as it is occupied by the Arabic rom