Some vintage Japanese systems

[Frio]

Everyone, here is a small selection of my vintage machines, in this case four Japanese computers that were never particularly popular in the West (other than perhaps one).

First off is a Sharp X68000 XVI, a beast of a computer, and I would refer to as the Japanese Amiga, but much more expensive!!

The second machine is a NEC PC-9801BA2, an Intel 40486 class machine part of the long-lived PC-98 series. This one in particular is equipped with the rare NEC PC-FXGA board, which is a very obscure NEC PC-FX console integrated into a C-Bus board, which allows for homebrew software development.

The third system is a Fujitsu FM77AV-2 machine, a really powerful 8-bit computer, with a very peculiar architecture: it uses a 6809 as the main CPU, and a whole second identical 6809 as graphics processor, connected directly (and exclusively) to the VRAM. I enjoy developing small test programs for this machine as it is very unique among 8-bit systems, IMHO.

The fourth (barely visible) is a (gorgeous IMHO) Sony HB-F1XD MSX2 computer. Nothing special about this, as it is a standard MSX2 machine, but I think it is one of the best looking. Maybe I will post another better picture

Cheers!

 

[mbliss11]

Awesome machines!! I recently added a x68000 to my collection as well.

You gotta show off the Hit Bit! It’s a great looking machine. Have you serviced the hic-1 caps on yours yet?

https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/urgent-alert-msx22-owners-suicide-capacitors-hic-1-daughterboard?page=2

 

[Frio]

Congrats on the X68000, they are such amazing machines! I splurged a bit and added a whole set of MIDI devices to it, internal SCSI2SD and two FDX68 floppy emulators...

I find the HB to be truly gorgeous! It has been completely recapped, yes (not by me, I am rather useless with a soldering iron), and the flimsy flexible circuit keyboard membrane has been replaced with a brand-new reproduction (much stronger and reliable than the original)!

I literally purchased it just to play (and mostly listen to) Space Manbow...

 

[mbliss11]

Congrats on the X68000, they are such amazing machines! I splurged a bit and added a whole set of MIDI devices to it, internal SCSI2SD and two FDX68 floppy emulators...

I find the HB to be truly gorgeous! It has been completely recapped, yes (not by me, I am rather useless with a soldering iron), and the flimsy flexible circuit keyboard membrane has been replaced with a brand-new reproduction (much stronger and reliable than the original)!

I literally purchased it just to play (and mostly listen to) Space Manbow...

The fdx68 where and when did you get them? I researched those and ultimately couldn’t find a source. Having floppy emulators for the system is cool. I am using external scsi with mine it’s an Expert model so had to get SASI booting using master disk.

Space Manbow is a classic

 

[Frio]

Ehh, for the FDX68 I had to wait close to a year and be there the instant Gimons adds some to his e-store. It took me ages to finally click fast enough to squeeze in and a get a couple...

 

[Chuck(G)]

Ever run into a Mitsubishi Multi16?

 

[mbliss11]

Ever run into a Mitsubishi Multi16?

Have not! Is an interesting looking system. The only CPM machine I have in my collection right now is an Osborne 1 that needs its rifas pulled and replaced. That’s going to be a project for my winter break (and hopefully several others that have been piling up).

 

[Chuck(G)]

Somewhere, back in my floppy-stash, I have a document for a PLC that essentially says "I use the Multi16 interface" or something to that effect. As far as I could tell, it was very different from NEC's PC98.

 

[Frio]

No Multi 16 here either, I am afraid. I do have a bunch of other peculiar systems though, two PC88 (MA and MA2) and a Fujitsu FM-8 (with a bubble memory cartridge)...

 

[mk2s]

there's been this multi 16 on yahoo auctions japan for over a month https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/o1060863187?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top in case anyone wants to pay for the shipping

 

[Frio]

Pretty fancy, just not my thing...
Thanks for the heads-up though!

 

[mbliss11]

I am adding an nec pc-6001 to the collection. Aware of any modern upgrades for it like flash cart or the like? I have a digital tap player and modern cas device so I can just use those for tape games. Didn’t know if there was anything fancier than that for it

 

[Frio]

I am aware of this project http://p6ers.net/mm/pc-6001/dev/flashromcard/8k.html, never attempted to build one though...

 

[seat safety switch]

alank2 from here helped me out by taking a ton of measurements of his own PC-6001 carts; I ended up making a generic protoboard PCB out of it.

It's not too hard to make a 32k + ROM card out of it, but obviously being a protoboard you have to do all the work yourself! https://github.com/leaded-solder/pc6001-protocart

 

[ColorComputerStore]

I used an X68000 as an intern when I interned for a Japanese company in Japan. I played a lot of SimCity on it. Lol

 

[seat safety switch]

I used an X68000 as an intern when I interned for a Japanese company in Japan. I played a lot of SimCity on it. Lol

That's the best use for any computer.

What were you supposed to be doing? An x68000 seems like an odd choice for an office worker versus a PC-98.

 

[MattisLind]

Speaking about Japanese computers. Anyone have a Sanyo PHC3100 or PHC3000? I am looking for software for it.

http://www.datormuseum.se/computers/others/sanyophc3100-1.html

 

[mbliss11]

Here is the new addition along with the others in the collection

 

[Frio]

Good taste with all those machines!

And I love to see other F1XD enthusiasts