Description

Computer

The Yamaha YIS-805 comes with a separate keyboard and in 2 versions:

• The /128 version has only 128kB RAM and 1 disk drive by default, but there's a location planned for the addition of a second disk drive
• The /256 version has 256kB RAM, 2 disk drives and a RS-232C interface

Both versions have an expansion bus at the back, reserved for a digitizer, also known as 'video enhancer'.

It's the last computer released by Yamaha for the MSX system and the only one with a built-in floppy drive. It has still a special slot for specific Yamaha modules.

The Yamaha YIS-805 was advertised to be used with the following software and extensions:

• FM Sound Synthesizer Unit Ⅱ SFG-05 ¥ 29,800
• FM Voicing Program II YRM-55 ¥ 9,800
• Phrase Conversion Cartridge YRK-50 ¥ 24,800
• Captain Adapter Unit SCA-01 ¥ 40,000
• Captain Modem Unit MD-01 ¥ 98,000
• EFD-10 Second disk drive for the YIS-805/128 ¥ 40,000

The YIS-805/128 has been localised for the Russian market - see YIS-805/128R2 - without the expansion bus slot.

The YIS-805/256 has been localised for the Arabic countries - see Sakhr AX-500 - without the expansion bus slot and the RS-232C interface.

Firmware

This machine comes with

• the firmware THE PAINTER, a graphic utility in screen 5 (64kB ROM) that can be launched with CALL PAINT or _PAINT, but you can also boot the computer while pressing the SPACE key to directly start this utility.

• the firmware Kanji Word Processor Unit SKW-05 that includes
  • a 48kB ROM with the application that can be launched with CALL JWP or _JWP
  • a 32kB ROM with a Kanji Dictionary
  • a 2kB SRAM
  • a non-standard 128kB Kanji-ROM (JIS1) with 3979 characters
  • a switch at the top with the indication "MEMORY POWER" (probably to enable/disable the SRAM)

Software

This machine was provided with a floppy disk with YIS-805 Set Up Program and MSX-DOS 1

Pictures

Computer

Yamaha YIS-805/256 box

Yamaha YIS-805/128

Yamaha YIS-805 underside

Yamaha YIS-805 manuals

Yamaha YIS-805/256 front

YIS-805/256 front (closeup)

Yamaha YIS-805/128 back

Yamaha YIS-805/256 back

Yamaha YIS-805 keyboard

Yamaha YIS-805 right side

Firmware

The Painter

The Painter

Specifications

The YIS-805 is a MSX2 with a Z80A from Sharp (LH0080A) and an MSX-Engine S1985 from Yamaha. This computer is available in two models. One with 128kB RAM and one with 256kB RAM.

The /128 version can be easily upgraded internally to 256kB RAM.

The floppy disk controller chip is the 8876.

Slot Map

• By default the Module Slot contains the Kanji Word Processor Unit SKW-05
• The RS-232C ROM is a 8KB ROM - 4000h-5FFFh - it is not present on the YIS-805/128 model
• In the Russian version of YIS805/128, slot 0 is not expanded. The RS-232C ROM is not present, but in the side slot there is the special "network" module to communicate with students' computers that have similar modules - see YIS-805/128R2

Connections

• RGB output
• RF output
• Analog sound & Composite video
• Keyboard connector
• RS-232C connector (DB-25) (only /256 version)
• Data Recorder connector
• Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
• 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
• 2 cartridge slots
• 1 module slot (on right side, 60 pin connector)
• 1 expansion bus slot (reserved for a digitizer)
• Power plug for main power supply (JIS C 8303 class, AC 100V +/-10% 50/60Hz)
• 2 power sockets for monitor and another device (AC 100V)

Links

• http://www.cx5m.net/ (Now the site is broken only some files still online), Archived version (2019 version, some files are missing), Another mirror (file-hunter.com)