Information on fitting hdd in FM Towns 2F

[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]

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]

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
1	NC	+5V (Molex Pin 4)
2	NC	+5V (Molex Pin 4)
3	NC	GND (Molex Pin 3)
4	NC	GND (Molex Pin 3)
5	NC	GND (Molex Pin 2)
6	NC	GND (Molex Pin 2)
7	NC	+12V (Molex Pin 1)
8	NC	+12V (Molex Pin 1)
9	1	GND
10	2	DB0
11	3	GND
12	4	DB1
13	5	GND
14	6	DB2
15	7	GND
16	8	DB3
17	9	GND
18	10	DB4
19	11	GND
20	12	DB5
21	13	GND
22	14	DB6
23	15	GND
24	16	DB7
25	25	? (Reserved)
26	18	Parity
27	27	GND
28	26	Term 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.