This mini forum is intended to provide a simple means of discussion about the Canon  CX-1 / BX-3 computer. If you want to share your own experience or memories, or add relevant information about this system: post a message!

If anyone still has original disk. Or any good useful programs I would love to archive them for the retro scene. Contact me via email ron.coon.jr@gmail.com Thanks! I can even tell you how to backup the odd MCX disks on a older PC.

CX-1 was one of the first computer I worked on, just after Olivetti P6060 and Apple II. I wrote a disassembler to understand how MCX and the utilities worked. It was very instructive, and it was a lot of time ago.

My first Computer too. Everything start with this. Had no acknowledge of how a Computer works. We had this on board mv Finnarctis 1982. My original job was wireless operator and I was very curios of the Computers. So, I learned the OS and looked at code in the programs and finally I managed to program some on board needed porgs. I also have a fully functioning CX-1 at home, nice piece.

I remember this computer well, I was working at Canon Australia at the time writing software. I wrote a word processor for it which was sold with it. This was back in the days that the hardware supplier also had to have a library of software because each system had their own unique OS version.

The BX-3 and CX-1 had a ROM at the top of memory, above 0xF000, that contained the integrated debugger and library routines that were called by software. The video memory was in the top 32k, and there was a premium CX-1 version that had an extra bank of 32k RAM that was bank-switched by software.

Like Ronald, CX-1 was my first computer I ever used. Eventually I learned every single detail of it and ended up writing commercial software. I developed a close relationship with local Canon offices and they connected me with their customers if they had a problem to solve with a custom software. Along with CX-1, I wrote programs to TX-25, AS-100, and the X-07 portable. Also, like Ronald, I own a fully functioning unit and it will be buried with me :)

I serviced, supported and programmed the Canon computers from 1980 up to mid 1998. Includes AX-1, BX-1, CX-1, BX-3, TX-10, TX-15, TX-25, AS-100, AS-300 and all the PC-clones that Canon produced. After that I programmed printer drivers for all sorts of applications and mainly for the Canon LBP-printers. From 1990 I worked with Canon Colour Laser Copiers and the various printing RIP''s of Canon and EFI brnds.

I sold the BX 1 .

I sold the BX 1 .

I own a 1979 Canon BX-1 that really works fine. I am desperately looking for a user manual. If anyone can help please mail to dirkamling@gmail.com
For pictures please send me an email.

i have one cx-1 and it works very well, with a dot matrix printer and with all floppy disks and i want to shell it
how mucth money can sell it???
if anyone knows to tell me one good price.
my mail is GArchitect1@Gmail.com. thanx

I have a Canon CX-1 with a dot matrix printer (with tractor!) which appears to be OK. I''d like to sell it (rather than bin it) or find some disc''s or disc images I can use on it.

Anyone got some help?

I cut my teeth on the cx-1 and still have some disks and printouts from those days. It was and still is the most indestructible computer I've worked on. One client complained it wouldn't boot and I found the oxide on the disk had worn away to the clear substrata! Despite this it was possible to do a disk copy and create a new boot disk.
Note the disks were 'coded' so only canon disks worked.

I have several fond memories of this machine. Being the first computer I have ever used. I used it to its fullest potental. To this day it still operates in my garage / old computer museum. I have almost all the components for the unit including the 8" dual floppy disk addition. FD0: FD1: FD2: FD3: wow what storage. I will be posting more information on the unit and if possiable I'll get the manual scaned and PDF'd on the website for achival purposes. I've written so many programs on this unit form Boy Scout dues and rank rosters all the way up to modern business programs for customer databases.
Lets say its one of the most solid machine and will remain with me until I die.

This was my introduction to the Basic Language AND a proper screen. I had progressed from the earlier Canon, the AX-1 which only had a 16 character display but this machine was a revelation. It featured a proper operating system (instead of assembly as the earlier machine was). The operating system was MCX (I know is says here it was similar to CPM but I thought it more like an early version of MS-Dos, I understood that Canon had bought this from the company that sold Bill Gates his copy) anyway the 320K floppies were massive for us, upgrading from 65K floppies... I wrote my first motor dealers package on this machine 'VEDAC' - The GL and the operating system were on the A drive (the bottom drive) and the other ledgers were on the B drive - the operator was asked to swap disks when a different ledger was required. It worked well and sold well. I remember some clients required 13 disks for a single backup. Overall a very good and reliable machine. Fond memories.