Contents |
Description
Computer
The Perfect MSX1 has been manufactured by Daewoo and distributed by Bawareth Enterprises for Trade in Saudi Arabia. Al Mithali (= Perfect in Arabic) is a trademark used for this computer, its brother Bawareth Perfect MSX2 and software aimed at them.
This computer is based on the Daewoo CPC-200, an evolution of the Daewoo DPC-200, and comes with the Daewoo DW64MX1 chip and slot 0 expanded. The keyboard and firmware are Arabic. The color of unit is available in silver. The power supply is integrated in the unit. The machine itself simply has MSX1 as the product number, but the box says DPC-200CD.
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.
| Brand | Bawareth (Manufacturer: Daewoo) |
| Model | Perfect MSX1 (DPC-200CD) |
| Year | 1986 |
| Region | Middle East |
| Launch price | |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 0-2 |
| VRAM | 16kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Texas Instruments TMS9129 |
| Audio | PSG (AY-3-8910) |
| Chipset | Daewoo DW64MX1 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/Arabic |
| Extras | Arabic BASIC, firmware (5 applications in 1987 version, 4 applications in 1990 version) |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated. The rear expansion port is handled like a regular MSX cartridge slot. |
Firmware
This machine has a firmware different from the software present on all Sakhr/Al Alamiah computers.
The firmware can be skipped by pressing CTRL key while booting and until you hear a melody on the logo screen. 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 beep, you will get only one drive (the A: drive) if you have added external diskdrives.
There are at least 2 versions of this firmware:
1987 Firmware
The menu is in English and Arabic.
If you press on Select when you are on the screen after the logo screen, you will see a 'secret' message precising that any copyright has been violating while making the Arabic software included in this computer.
This firmware adds Arabic characters, new MSX-BASIC commands (see Arabic BASIC) and 5 applications. You can choose them in the menu with the keys 2 to 6:
- key 2 = Arabic Word Processor
- key 3 = English Word Processor
- key 4 = Music World - PSG utility
- key 5 = Electric Painting - graphic tool in screen 3 with saving on tape
- key 6 = Unit Converter
If you press key 1 when you are in the menu, you will go to MSX-BASIC.
From MSX-BASIC, you can
- launch the English Word Processor with CALL TEDIT or _TEDIT (also in international mode)
- go back to the menu with CALL MENU, CALL FATEEN, _MENU and _FATEEN (don't use it if you are in International mode !)
1990 Firmware
The menu is only in Arabic language.
The 'secret' message, present in the 1987 version, has been removed. This firmware adds Arabic characters, new MSX-BASIC commands (see Arabic BASIC) and 4 applications. You can choose them in the menu with the keys 1 to 9.
The Unit Converter has been removed, the 4 first applications are new versions of the corresponding 1987 software and there are 5 new applications:
- key 1 = Arabic Word Processor
- key 2 = English Word Processor
- key 3 = Music World - PSG utility
- key 4 = Electric Painting - this graphic tool uses now screen 2 instead of screen 3
- key 5 = International Time
- key 6 = Arabic Countries Flags
- key 7 = Calendar
- key 8 = Accounting
- key 9 = Inventory
If you press key 0 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: The currently available dump is not complete, it's impossible to launch applications corresponding to keys 5 to 9.
Pictures
Computer
1987 Firmware
1990 Firmware
Specifications
The Perfect MSX1 does not use a MSX-Engine but a custom IC DW64MX1 (designed for MSX2) that includes the 8255 PPI, slot select circuitry, a memory mapper and various glue logic. The CPU is a Z80A from Goldstar (GSS Z8400A PS).
The main RAM is present on slot 0-2, a configuration that can cause poorly written software to crash. Also, with this layout, the POKE-1,(15-PEEK(-1)\16)*17 trick to workaround buggy software that does not handle subslots properly will cause this machine to freeze.
Slot Map
Note: Probably not complete for the version with the 1990 Firmware
| Slot 0-0 | Slot 0-1 | Slot 0-2 | Slot 0-3 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | 64kB RAM | Cartridge Slot | Expansion Bus | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | Arabic ROM | |||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | |||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
Connections
- RF output
- Analog sound & Composite video
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
- 1 cartridge slot
- 1 Expansion bus slot
- Power plug male