Description

Computer

Sakhr Computers was a Kuwaiti company (Al Alamiah co.) that was selling MSX computers imported from Japan in all of the Arab world. These MSX were localized by Al Alamiah and rebranded for the Arabic market.

The Sakhr AX-230 is like the Sanyo MPC-2 localised for Arabic countries but the PCB and components are not the same. A RGB output has been added but a cartridge slot has been removed. This model is available in blue (B), gray (GL) or red (R).

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 an 'enhanced' version 1.01 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), 4 applications and 2 extra options for MSX software. You can choose them in the menu with the keys 1 to 6:

• Calendar - can also be used partially in English
• Graphics, a graphic tool in screen 2
• Arabic Writer (Word Processor)
• English Writer (Word Processor)
• Menu with 15 educational games: Young Artist, Test Your Knowledge 2, Double Face, Cross Word, Sea Horse, Wonderful Child, Multiply & Divide, Ibn Maleck, Proverbs, Koufi, Voyage To Mecca, Magic Touch, Discover The Computer, Energy, Our Arab World
• Menu with 10 recreative games : Mazes Unlimited, Hopper, Time Curb, Break In, Hype, Alpine Ski, Skooter, Moon Rider, TT Racer, Snake It

Options 1 to 4 remain unchanged on all Sakhr/Al Alamiah MSX1 computers.

You have on this machine a total of 30 programs: MSX-BASIC, 4 applications and 25 games.

If you press key 7 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 !). Note that in this case, you will go to the 'normal' Arabic firmware menu with only 5 options instead of 7.

Pictures

Computer

Sakhr AX-230 blue

Sakhr AX-230 box

Sakhr AX-230 gray

Sakhr AX-230 red

Sakhr AX-230 back

Sakhr AX-230 underside

Sakhr AX-230 left side

Sakhr AX-230 back

Sakhr AX-230 right side

Sakhr AX-230 manuals

Sakhr AX-230 (R) label

Sakhr AX-230 (GL) label

Sakhr AX-230 PCB

Sakhr AX-230 PCB (underside)

AX-230 - MSX-Engine T7937A

Firmware

Arabic firmware version 1.01

'Enhanced' menu 1.01

Arabic Calendar

English Calendar

Graphics

Arabic Writer

English Writer

Educational Games

Recreative Games

'Normal' menu 1.01

Specifications

The Sakhr AX-230 is a MSX1. The Z80A, the VDP and the PSG are integrated in MSX-Engine T7937A.

The integrated VDP is the Toshiba T6950, which does not support some undocumented features of the Texas Instruments TMS9918, TMS9928 and TMS9929 VDP's.

Slot Map

Connections

• RGB output
• RF output
• Analog sound & Composite video (Pal)
• Data Recorder connector
• Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
• 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
• 1 cartridge slot