Author Archives: cyo.key.leemur

I would like to post more on this blog I made. I usually like to read other blogs like Deunan or ychh0 so those two are a big inspiration. Also both are very good friends of mine. Specifically the last two years I’ve begun collecting retro consoles and computers. I think it’s safe to sayContinue reading “Mega CD Project”

The Tower models seem to use a lot of interchangeable components such as floppy drives, power supplies for certain models and specifically CD ROM sled assemblies. However the very first FM Towns towers have used a totally different power supply. Luckily I bought a Model 2 and have made a bulletproof solution. This will onlyContinue reading “FM Towns Power Supply – Generation 1”

This new power supply runs with an AC/DC Converter and ITX Pico-PSU. The AC/DC Converter used is the Meanwell EPS-120S-12 and the Pico Psu rated for 120 watts. The Arduino Pro Micro manipulates the PS_ON line from the Pico PSU whenever the power button is pressed and TownsOS Power off is initiated. This exact conceptContinue reading “FM TOWNS Tower Power Supply Assembly Guide”

Towns are known to have dodgy power supplies. For example simply changing capacitors doesn’t always magically fix them. Unless you’re a very VERY well trained technician for Switched mode power supplies you’re not gonna fix it. Sorry. Unless you like chasing down 25-30 year old chips and switches you’re probably not gonna fix that originalContinue reading “The FM Towns Power Supply Problem has been solved”

FM Towns as we know is quite old. If you are lucky enough to revive a PC that has a hard drive its generally about to die and has low partition size. Recently in my HR100 I revived the 100MB hard drive sounded like fighter jet and was dead. This guide is written with theContinue reading “The Perfect Modern HDD is SCSI2SD”

Most information for the FMT are going to be in Japanese. Just translate to your native language. If you can find other resources let me know I can make an edit and place it here! Deunan did an excellent summary write-up of FM Towns models and capabilities. This is perhaps the best English article I’veContinue reading “Compiled list of FM Towns Information websites”

Towns has no on-board operating system at all and you must launch the OS from software. Generally that will be from floppy disc, CD or hard drive. While it is possible to launch operating system from hard drive after it’s installed, the operating system is always launched from software generally on CD or floppy disc.Continue reading “FM Towns File Structures”

FM Towns revolves around the 386 architecture with the CPU taking 5 volts. Generally you have two different packages or chip sizes and types for CPUs which are the SQFP and PGA. Only generation 1 and 2 tower models have sockets with the remaining ones having their CPU soldered. -Models 1 and 2 (very firstContinue reading “CPU Upgrade Options for FM Towns”