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 and rebranded for some Arabic markets.

The AX-500 is the Yamaha YIS-805/256 localised by Al Alamiah. The RS-232C interface, the RF output and the expansion bus have been removed. This machine has a separate Arabic QWERTY keyboard.

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 2.01 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) even if you have added an external diskdrive.

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:

• Word Processor - in this version, you can only access the Arabic Word Processor from the menu
• Sakhr Files - Arabic/English utility that requires a formatted disk in drive A
• The Painter (Arabic version) - graphic tool in screen 5 (the original version can be found in the Yamaha YIS-805)
• Calendar

By comparison with the MSX1 Sakhr machines, the separate Word Processors have been replaced by a combined utility using the 80 columns text mode of MSX2 and the graphic tool in screen 2 by the Painter.

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

From MSX-BASIC in Arabic mode, you can

• go to the menu with CALL MENU or _MENU
• launch the Arabic Word Processor with CALL SWP or _SWP
• launch Sakhr Files with CALL SFILES or _SFILES
• launch the Calendar with CALL CALENDAR or _CALENDAR
• launch The Painter with CALL PAINT or _PAINT

If you are in International mode:

• only CALL SWP or _SWP can be used, you will directly go to the English Word Processor. It's not recommended to use the other instructions without first enabling the Arabic mode.
• you can fully enable the Arabic mode with CALL ARABIC, _ARABIC, CALL ARABON or _ARABON

Pictures

Computer

Sakhr AX-500

Sakhr AX-500 front

Sakhr AX-500 back and underside

Sakhr AX-500 box

Sakhr AX-500 underside

AX-500 front (closeup)

Sakhr AX-500 label

Sakhr AX-500 back

Firmware

Menu

Arabic firmware version 2.01

Arabic firmware 2.01 menu

Word Processor

English/Arabic Word Processor

Arabic Word Processor

English Word Processor

Sakhr Files

Sakhr Files

Sakhr Files Intro menu

Sakhr Files Arabic menu

Sakhr Files Arabic directory

Sakhr Files English menu

Sakhr Files English directory

The Painter

The Painter (Arabic version)

The Painter (Arabic version)

Calendar

Arabic Calendar

English Calendar

Specifications

The AX-500 is a MSX2 with a Z80A from Sharp (LH0080A) and an MSX-Engine S1985 from Yamaha.

Slot Map

Connections

• RGB output
• Analog sound & Composite video
• Keyboard connector
• Data Recorder connector
• Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
• 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
• 2 cartridge slots
• 1 module slot (on right side, 60 pin connector)
• Two AC power plugs

Links

• Service Manual