Information on fitting hdd in FM Towns 2F

Started by corpsicle, January 07, 2018, 02:52:46 AM

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corpsicle

Where do i find it?

edited model name :)

gabby32

Information about your model computer is not even on specialized resources.
Written by "Currently under investigation"
http://labo.main.jp/newage/towns/fmt_model.html
http://labo.main.jp/newage/towns/fmt_hdd.html
You can install external hdd (FMHD) via a special card
http://labo.main.jp/newage/towns/fmt_option.html
http://www.bilder-upload.eu/show.php?file=c1ff7a-1464542698.jpg
http://www.bilder-upload.eu/show.php?file=518365-1464542747.jpg

You can check for yourself whether there is SLOT for internal hdd or not. Having little disassembled the computer case.
Slot for hdd is behind the fan behind.

Disassemble case will help with instructions and photos.


https://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5991.0
https://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6113.0



kamiboy

Surely you mean 20F?

I don't recall there being space for an internal HDD in that model. Might have to use an external SCSI enclosure.

gabby32

In model 20F you can set internal hdd. In model 2F it is still unknown.

SuperDeadite

Towns use SCSI HDDs, but the internal connector is this weird proprietary socket that combines the data and power lines into one piece.  You  had to buy a special breakout cable to have the proper connections for the SCSI drive.  Loose breakout cables don't show up on Yahoo very often, so I'd recommend most people to just use an external HDD.

famiac

why use an hdd on a towns? can you install games on the hdd? Or is it just for towns OS?

gabby32

#6
Several games require installation on hdd. Cyberia, Alone in the Dark2, HORDE and several games from Alice Soft.

repoMan

And when your CDROM drive fails, it's your only way to use the machine. With the help of an HDD installation and a external SCSI drive you can execute a good amount of software.

Right now I'm experimenting with some fast Fresh models and TownsOS v2.1L51 running from HDD is a nice setup :)

SuperDeadite

Yeah, if you have an HDD you will happy you did.  And while uncommon, a few games like Syndicate fully install to HDD and no CD is required to play them.

famiac

Gotcha. A CX20 is probably too slow to take advantage of that though

SuperDeadite

It still has uses on 386 machines though.  When installed to HDD, Genocide Squared is a lot more fun as the the mid-level cd loading is eliminated.  Wing Commander can save to HDD so you don't have to use a floppy. 

famiac

Good to know. I bought a bracket just in case, and I'll try it out. Maybe i should document the pinout so people can build their own.  Thanks Superdeadite

famiac

#12
Male IDC50 On FM Towns harness

On the CX20, pin 1 is towards the bottom of the case

Female SCSI IDC50


Connectors are identical pin for pin after pin 28. The ground connections at pins 17 and 19-24 are missing from the SCSI IDC50 connector. Pin 25 is connected for unknown reasons.


FMT Conn Pin      SCSI IDC50 Pin      Description
1NC+5V (Molex Pin 4)
2NC+5V (Molex Pin 4)
3NCGND (Molex Pin 3)
4NCGND (Molex Pin 3)
5NCGND (Molex Pin 2)
6NCGND (Molex Pin 2)
7NC+12V (Molex Pin 1)
8NC+12V (Molex Pin 1)
91GND
102DB0
113GND
124DB1
135GND
146DB2
157GND
168DB3
179GND
1810DB4
1911GND
2012DB5
2113GND
2214DB6
2315GND
2416DB7
2525? (Reserved)
2618Parity
2727GND
2826Term Power

SuperDeadite

I believe the wierd custom connecter was originally created as there is very little space inside the gray towers.  The HDD had to be plugged right into the middle of everything.  So using a traditional molex cable would have been messy.  The caddy system they used made things a lot cleaner.