FM Towns Computer / Marty Thread

[DanHero]

Hi, and THANK you for the answer, it starts to explain A LOT. the computer is a 486, FM Towns ME. How can I disable fast mode? I see many games like Blandia have an option to turn it on/off, but there is no such a thing in those two games

[SuperDeadite]

There are several ways, you can even set it to default on or off and save settings to SRAM from within TownsOS.

But the easiest way is to hold both button 1 and 2 on the controller as the system boots. You will get a boot menu where you can turn Fast mode on or off and also select the system boot drive.

[DanHero]

Thank you, I learned a lot. Fast mode was disabled for me, so enabling it made SSF2 and ALLTYNEX totally different games. This made no difference in Op Wolf and Chase HQ, both having this distorted sound fx that disappears on Marty; maybe they have been made with 386 in mind, dunno.

[SuperDeadite]

I've run Op Wolf and Chase HQ on my Fresh fine without issues. Might be a bios bug, as your ME should be older than my Fresh...

Disabling Fast mode runs the system the same as a 386x16 for me at least. Your ME should have 4mb RAM on the mobo plus simms in sockets for any additional RAM, pull out the simms and disable fast mode should fix Shadow of the Beast.

[bovined]

Been enjoying my Marty console and many of the games as my CDROM actually work fine for OG discs but what is the best model PC to upgrade to to enjoy the games at full pef and the additional games that do not run well or at all on the Marty? Is there a preferred sweet spot for this type of FM Towns experience?

Also why the hell does Operation Wolf not allow a visible cursor for aiming? Such a big misstep for an otherwise amazing port

[Austin]

Ouch, I didn’t realize there was no cursor for Operation Wolf. That’s crazy.

[bovined]

there is a cursor the problem is that it is only visible for 20 sec and then goes away for some dumb reason. the other game option setting for that is no cursor at all lol

[SuperDeadite]

Yes, the cursor is only meant to help you adjust to the aiming. Game would be too easy if cursor was always on, but shooting blind with a mouse really doesn't work. It does look cool in 3D though.

For getting a Towns PC, I'd say any model with a 486 is the way to go. Really no point in a 386 PC if you already have a Marty.

[bovined]

thanks! grabbed a Fresh ET that supposedly has everything recapped and working and 40MB ram, 300mb HDD so will give it a shot when it arrives. Is there a specific 15 pin connector to VGA or SCART etc that I need to use in order to output RGB properly?

[SuperDeadite]

thanks! grabbed a Fresh ET that supposedly has everything recapped and working and 40MB ram, 300mb HDD so will give it a shot when it arrives. Is there a specific 15 pin connector to VGA or SCART etc that I need to use in order to output RGB properly?

Fresh ET uses the later "new style" Towns output (RGBHV). It outputs everything at 31khz. If you want to restore 15/24khz you will need to add a Towns videocard.

[bovined]

thanks! grabbed a Fresh ET that supposedly has everything recapped and working and 40MB ram, 300mb HDD so will give it a shot when it arrives. Is there a specific 15 pin connector to VGA or SCART etc that I need to use in order to output RGB properly?

Fresh ET uses the later "new style" Towns output (RGBHV). It outputs everything at 31khz. If you want to restore 15/24khz you will need to add a Towns videocard.

Ah I see. Will a standard FMT-412 card be okay for that? What is the difference between the FMT-412, 412A and 412B?

[bovined]

whoops nevermind....I see you already answered that earlier in the thread. thanks for the info as always SuperDeadite. thx for all the YT content as well, super helpful stuff on all the obscure stuff! Do you stream any of those things on twitch or anything?

[SuperDeadite]

whoops nevermind....I see you already answered that earlier in the thread. thanks for the info as always SuperDeadite. thx for all the YT content as well, super helpful stuff on all the obscure stuff! Do you stream any of those things on twitch or anything?

These days, just finding time to play for fun is the real challenge. Do simple youtube videos when I can. I can't even imagine trying to schedule any form if live event. I like sharing things I like when I can, but I have no urge to be an online star. I like going outside and working with real people lol.

[bovined]

Totally understand that for sure but damn it would be nice to have a knowledgeable person showcase the pretty obscure and rare stuff that you have! Will just consume the stuff you have already then

Also do you know if an FMT-417 video output unit would work as well to convert the 31hz back to 15hz for a Fresh ET system? thats an interesting little box it seems

[SuperDeadite]

Totally understand that for sure but damn it would be nice to have a knowledgeable person showcase the pretty obscure and rare stuff that you have! Will just consume the stuff you have already then

Also do you know if an FMT-417 video output unit would work as well to convert the 31hz back to 15hz for a Fresh ET system? thats an interesting little box it seems

Never used one myself, but I believe it is meant for the older RGBS type Towns. It encodes 15khz RGB into S-Video and has a passthrough output for 24/31. So useless on a Fresh basically. I am on discord (same name as here) fairy regularly if you want to chat me up sometime.