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FM Towns modding wiki

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The FM Towns (FMT) is a Japanese personal computer built by Fujitsu from February 1989 to the summer of 1997. It runs TownsOS, a proprietary operating system that later became compatible with IBM PC software. The "FM" part of the name stands for "Fujitsu Micro" and the "Towns" part is a reference to Charles Townes, a Nobel Prize winner.

FM Towns computer is noted to be the first computer in the world to have a CD drive integrated as standard in every manufactured unit. This unfortunately serves currently as the Achilles heel in modern times as CD drives and media start to fail. A standalone game console compatible with FM Towns games — the FM Towns Marty was released in 1993.

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FM TownsFM Towns:Connector PinoutsImportant Pinouts Most of these pinouts come from the "Towns Redbook" Version 3. The External SCSI and RS232 ports are the standard po…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:CPU Upgrade for Desktop ModelsDesktops have a slot to place CPU upgrade cards with some later models requiring the CPU upgrade card to be present as there wasn't a …Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:CPU Upgrade for Tower ModelsThe tower versions of the FM Towns use a 386 CPU. For the Generation 1 and 2 tower models, the CPU is in a socket. It is simple to rem…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Creating Game BackupsCDs MPF software along with a compatible plexor drive is the recommended method to make backups. MPF will output BIN/CUE, CloneCD SUB/…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Desktop Power Supply Repair and Capacitor listDesktop Power Supply Repair FM Towns Desktops used different power supplies in different models. It is very important you pay attentio…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Floppy Drive EmulatorsTower Models and the All-in-one models All Tower models and U* models use a unique and semi-proprietary FDD that integrates the 5V pow…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Model ListFM Towns Computer came in multiple models over its lifetime. The most iconic is the tower models. It should be noted all parts can be …Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Optical Drive Emulator for Tower ModelsGrey Tower Wizard Deunan worked tirelessly and created an Optical Drive Emulator that works in all tower models. Soldering is 100% req…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Playing Game BackupsPlaying Backup CD FM Towns didn't have copy protection on their CDs at all minus a few games such as Zack McCracken that merely checke…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Tower Power Supply Repair and Capacitor listThe Generation 1 Power Supply Generation 1 PSU card. This power supply is not known to be a tremendous source of pain to maintain. How…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Translated GamesThe following are translations, dubs/undubs, and other language hacks for the FM Towns and FM Towns Marty. Translations Game Author Al…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Upgrading RAMFM Towns uses non-parity SIMM RAM from the same era. Generally, it's very cheap and available to buy on the net. It has been tested ex…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Using Hard DrivesFM Towns used SCSI hard drives with the DOS sector partition limit at 120MB. Most of these drives are likely dead or dying, really lou…Updated Oct 9, 2026FM TownsFM Towns:Video Information24Khz won't work with this modern display FM Towns video connector was a DB15, two-row connector that was very common for other Japane…Updated Oct 9, 2026