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yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 b274874139 All machines linked to their forum thread (full comment import) 
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Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-13 17:26:43 +02:00

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---
title: Thomson MO 5
categories:
- Computers
params:
name: MO 5
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_1s.jpg
logo: /media/museum/logos/thomson_mo5_logo.gif
company: /companies/thomson
company_name: Thomson
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- connectors
- software
- emulators
- links
- videos
forum_thread: 33
photos:
- title: MO5 - RUBBER KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_1b.jpg
- title: LEFT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_leftside_1.jpg
- title: TOP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_top.jpg
- title: RIGHT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Left : light-pen connector\
Right : tape recorder connector
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_rightside_1.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: Not much here... Power in (small hole to the left of the video cable), SCART video cable and Expansion connector with its protective plastic cap.
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_rear_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**1** - RESET (soft) button\
**2** - BUS expansion connector\
**3** - MEMO5 cartridge slot\
**4** - Internal video connector\
**5** - 17v power in (12v for SCART + 5v for the mother board)\
**6** - Light pen connector\
**7** - Tape interface\
**8** - Keyboard connector\
**9** - 6821 chipset handling I/O\
**10** - ROM (4 KB monitor + 16 KB Basic)\
**11** - Specific Logical Gate Array chipset (EFGJ03L) handling, among other things, the video\
**12** - Motorola 6809 CPU (1 MHz)\
**13** - RAM chips (48 KB)
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_mobo.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Close-up on the main chips. From left to right :\
\- 6821 chipset handling I/O\
\- ROM (4 KB monitor + 16 KB Basic)\
\- Specific Logical Gate Array chipset (EFGJ03L) handling, among other things, the video\
\- Motorola 6809 CPU (1 MHz)
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_mobo_2.jpg
- title: SPANISH MODEL
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is a spanish model of the MO5. It has a QWERTY keyboard instead of the AZERTY one of the french models. The ROM has been modified to include Spanish characters and there are RF and RGB outputs at the back of the system instead of the SCART connector of the french model.
Thanks to Vicente Simon for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-esp_1.jpg
- title: THE BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-gomme_box.jpg
- title: RUBBER AND MECHANICAL MODELS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_comparatif_1.jpg
- title: MECHANICAL KEYBOARD MODEL
subtitle: ''
text: This new model is exactly the same. Only the keyboard differs.
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_1.jpg
- title: LEFT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_left-side.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_rear.jpg
- title: RIGHT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_right-side.jpg
- title: TOP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_top.jpg
- title: CLOSE UP
subtitle: ''
text: Close-up on the Memo5 cartridge slot and Reset button.
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_closeup_1.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-2_closeup_2.jpg
- title: 'PROTOTYPE #1'
subtitle: ''
text: We know only one model of this prototype with transparent plastic case and handy soldered mainboard.
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_protot_1.jpg
- title: 'PROTOTYPE #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_proto_s2.jpg
- title: INSIDE THE PROTOTYPE
subtitle: ''
text: Board design is the same as a standard version, but all the I.C. are socketted.
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5_prototinside_1.jpg
- title: MICHEL PLATINI EDITION
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is a special edition named "Michel Platini" in honour of the famous french soccer player. It was sold with a sport bag (with an illustration of Michel Platini on it) and the "Numéro 10" soccer game on tape.
Thanks to [Vintage Computer Rescue Project](http://www.vcrp.fr) for this picture
image: /media/museum/photos/thomson_mo5-platini.jpg
adverts:
- title: FRENCH ADVERT. (1984)
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is nearly a stupid scan !
The young boy says : ''In 1984, my father bought me a MO-5"\
And on his desk is a 1998 calendar...
They meant that if you bought the MO-5 then (the advert is from 1984), you would be rich and clever 14 years later (in 1998). Ha ha ha !!
It's funny to see how they tried to represent an office and a town of 1998. I really love this one !
image: /media/museum/pubs/thomson_mo5_pub_1998_2.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (DEC. 1985)
subtitle: ''
text: |-
"MO5. Adventure built-in"\
"All the world in a present"
image: /media/museum/pubs/thomson_mo5_pub_aventure-comprise.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (JUNE 1985)
subtitle: ''
text: '"Thomson, you make me micro"'
image: /media/museum/pubs/thomson_mo5_tu-me-rends-micro_1.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (JUNE 1985)
subtitle: ''
text: '"Thomson, the micro capital"'
image: /media/museum/pubs/thomson_mo5_pub_capitale-micro.jpg
hardware:
- title: TAPE-RECORDER
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_mo5_taperecorder_1.jpg
- title: 5.25'' DISK DRIVE
subtitle: 320 KB model
text: This 5.25'' disk-drive offers a 320 KB capacity (40 tracks > 16 sectors > 256 bytes) and a built-in controller.
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to7_diskdrive_2.jpg
- title: DISK CONTROLLER
subtitle: CD 90-351
text: This interface was used to connect a disk drive or a Quick Disc Drive (QDD) to a TO-7, TO-7/70, MO5 or MO6.
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to7_disk-interface.jpg
- title: JOYSTICK MODULE
subtitle: ''
text: Dual Atari compatible joysticks module
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to9_joymodule_1.jpg
- title: MUSIC & GAME MODULE
subtitle: CM 90-112
text: This module offers two joystick connectors (Videopac joysticks can be used) and adds three channels to the TO-7 or MO-5 (resulting in a total of 4 voices). Sadly, these new sound features were scarcely used in games...
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to7_joy-interface.jpg
- title: 'MUSIC & GAME MODULE #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_mo5_musicetjeu_s1.jpg
- title: ORDI 94
subtitle: Joystick Interface
text: This interface enables Atari joysticks to be used with TO-7, TO-7/70 and MO5. It was sold by Ordivisuel under the name Ordi 94.
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to7_joy-atari.jpg
- title: PRINTER PR-90 080
subtitle: ''
text: 80 columns dot-matrix printer which was a rebadged version of the Seikosha GP-80
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to7_imp_pr90-080.jpg
- title: PRINTER PR-90 600
subtitle: ''
text: 80-column 9-pin dot matrix printer. A rebadged version of the Seikosha SP-1000 with graphics capabilities
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_to9_imppr90_600_1.jpg
- title: 'PICTURE #1'
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This impressive expansion adds many thing to the MO5 : a Quick Disk Drive (2.8", 50 KB per side), three expansion slots and one Centronics port. The disk operating system (Q-DOS) itself offers a bunch of new Basic statements such as CIRCLE, PAINT (to fill shapes), DRAW, GET, PUT, etc.
All in all, it is an excellent expansion which corrects most of the limitations of the MO5.
Price = 428 Euros (France, november 1985)
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_mo5_expansion_1.jpg
- title: 'PICTURE #2'
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [Musepat](http://perso.club-internet.fr/musepat/) for this picture.
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_mo5_qdd-expansion_2.jpg
- title: CLOSE-UP ON THE QUICK DISK DRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [Musepat](http://perso.club-internet.fr/musepat/) for this picture.
image: /media/museum/hardware/thomson_mo5_qdd-expansion_3.jpg
connectors:
- title: EXPANSION CONNECTOR
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Top contacts:
1 - ground\
2 - ...\
3 - E7C\
4 - CSE\
5 - A11\
6 - A10\
7 - A9\
8 - A8\
9 - A7\
10 - A6\
11 - A5\
12 - A4\
13 - A3\
14 - A2\
15 - A1\
16 - A0\
17 - CSO\
18 - CSC\
19 - +5v
Bottom contacts:
1 - +12v\
2 - ground\
3 - audio\
4 - R/W\
5 - E\
6 - D7\
7 - D6\
8 - D5\
9 - D4\
10 - D3\
11 - D2\
12 - D1\
13 - D0\
14 - RST\
15 - FIRQ\
16 - NMI\
17 - IRQ\
18 - VIDEO\
19 - -5v
image: /media/museum/connectors/connecteur_plat_38.gif
- title: JOYSTICK CONNECTORS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
These are the connectors found on the Game & Music expansion:
1 - Fire button\
2 - Down\
3 - Ground\
4 - Left\
5 - Up\
6 - Right
image: /media/museum/connectors/din6.gif
- title: TAPE INTERFACE CONNECTOR
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The drawing is looking at the connector itself (right side of the system):
**1** - Analog audio output\
**2** - Ground\
**3** - Engine/motor control\
**4** - DATA input (record)\
**5** - DATA output (read)
Pinout N°3 is used to control the tape recorder (play/stop)\
Pinout N°4 is used by the MO5 to identify a valid tape recorder. It expects +5v on this pin.
image: /media/museum/connectors/din5.gif
screenshots:
- title: TITLE SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_androides_1.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_androides_2.gif
- title: LEVEL 1
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_arkanoid_ss.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_arkanoid_1.gif
- title: TITLE SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_asterix_1.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_asterix_2.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_avenger_1.gif
- title: MAP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_beach-head_1.gif
- title: CANAL CROSSING
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_beach-head_2.gif
- title: SEA BATTLE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_beach-head_3.gif
- title: TANK LEVEL
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_beach-head_4.gif
- title: FINAL STAGE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_beach-head_5.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_boot.jpg.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_coliseum_ss.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_crocky2_1.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_dakar4x4_1.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_eliminator_1.gif
- title: TITLE SCREEN
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_enduroracer_ss.gif
- title: JUMPING IS DANGEROUS
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_enduroracer_ss2.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_flipper_1.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_fox_1.gif
- title: JUMPING OVER RUSSIANS IS FUN
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_greenberet_ss.gif
- title: TITLE SCREEN
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_jamesdebug-grandsaut_ss.gif
- title: I THINK I WILL HAVE TO SWIM...
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to770_jamesdebug-grandsaut_ss.gif
- title: IN THE CASTLE
subtitle: Screenshot
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_to7_aigledor_ss2.gif
- title: TITLE SCREEN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_aigle-dor_1.gif
- title: SCREENSHOT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/thomson_mo5_ss_aigle-dor_2.gif
emulators:
- title: Marcel O Cinq
url: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/FETIS_Gilles/mo5/mo5.html
platform: MS DOS
text: works also on macintosh
- title: DCMO5
url: http://dcmo5.free.fr/
platform: Windows
text: Thomson MO5 emulator for PC
- title: DCMO5 Gamer Edition
url: HTTP://DCMO5.FREE.FR
platform: Windows
text: Easy to use emulator, to run MO5 games without knowing MO5 commands
- title: DCMO6
url: http://dcmo6.free.fr/
platform: Windows
text: Thomson MO5NR, Thomson MO6 and Olivetti Prodest PC128 emulator for PC
- title: DCMOTO
url: http://dcmoto.free.fr/
platform: Windows
text: Universal 8-bit Thomson emulator for Windows. Emulates Thomson MO5, MO5E, MO5NR, MO6, T9000, TO7/70, TO8, TO8D, TO9, TO9+ and Olivetti Prodest PC128 !
- title: DCTO7 and DCTO8
url: http://dcto7.free.fr/
platform: Windows
text: Thomson T9000, TO7/70, TO8, TO8D emulator for Windows
- title: Emul5
url: http://emul5.thomsonistes.org/
platform: Windows
text: works also with linux and msdos
- title: MO5
url: http://www.bannister.org/software/mo5.htm
platform: Apple
text: MO5 emu for mac OS
- title: TODC
url: http://www.jplang.fr.st/
platform: Other platform
text: No, you are not dreaming. This is a TO-7/70 emulator for the Dreamcast game system !
links:
- title: AmiTO8
url: http://membres.lycos.fr/amito8/data/Accueil.html
text: Amiga / Thomson dedicated site. Some original stuff there!
- title: Christophe's Lair
url: http://lair.thomsonistes.org/
text: Lot of stuff here, a must see site (french)
- title: Collection Thomson
url: http://gfournier.free.fr/
text: Another great site with tons of documentation
- title: DCMOTO
url: http://dcmoto.free.fr/
text: Excellent site !! Home of the DCMOTO emulator. Lot od documentations and software to download. A must see !
- title: Forum Thomson
url: http://forumthomson2001.free.fr/forum01.htm
text: Get in contact with other Thomson fans (in french)
- title: M05.FREE.FR
url: http://MO5.FREE.FR
text: Emulators, Games, Documentations, educational software, amateur programs and more. Excellent! A must see.
- title: MOTO, le site Des micros Thomsons
url: http://www.multimania.com/tonews/
text: Some info about the Thomson computers (french)
- title: Nostalgies Thomsonistes
url: http://nostalgies.thomsonistes.org/
text: Excellent site dedicated to Thomson computers (french)
- title: Thomatoes
url: http://wiki.forler.ch
text: Thomson Wiki
- title: www.logicielsmoto.com
url: http://www.logicielsmoto.com/home.php
text: Fantastic site! Very big software library and much more!
videos:
- title: MO5 french TV commercial
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPr7NeqMobc
text: 'Length: 31 s'
related:
- /museum/olivetti-prodest-pc-128
- /museum/thomson-mo-6
- /museum/thomson-mo5-e
- /museum/thomson-mo5-nr
- /museum/thomson-to-7
- /museum/thomson-to-7-70
- /museum/thomson-to-8-to-8d
- /museum/thomson-to-9
- /museum/thomson-to-9-plus
oc_id: 12
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230601001323/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=12
date: '2023-06-01'
---
The MO-5 was presented alongside the [TO 7/70](/museum/thomson-to-7-70/), in march 1984. While the TO-7/70 follows and enhances the [TO-7](/museum/thomson-to-7/) philosophy, the MO-5 is more a cut-down version of the TO-7/70. The idea was to design a coherent french home computer, able to compete with such systems as the [ZX Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum/) or the [Commodore 64](/museum/commodore-c64/).
The case of the MO-5 is elegant with its anthracit colour and pleasant lines. The keyboard, though made of rubber keys, is an improvement over the flat membrane keyboard of the TO-7. Most BASIC statements are engraved onto the keys and can be directly entered by pressing a special BASIC key and the key matching the desire statement. But the Basic commands can also be typed in letter by letter. The keyboard layout is AZERTY which is normal as the MO-5 is a french system. Accentuated letters can directly be accessed by pressing the ACC key, followed by the desired key (6 for é, 7 for è, 8 for ù, 9 for ç and 0 for à). There are also four arrow keys, INS to insert a space, EFF to delete the pointed character, STOP to pause a program, CNT to resume a program stoped and RAZ (remise à zéro) to clear the screen.
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