Famicom and Famicom Disk System FAQ

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                       Famicom and Famicom Disk System FAQ

                               by ClassicCollector
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Faq History

version 0.50  4.17.2004  Updated A lot of info
Version 0.10  7.10.2003  Part Number List
Version 0.05  7.09.2003  Created Common Questions, Added Disk Errors
Version 0.01  7.08.2003  Started Faq, Table of Contents

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About this faq:

I made this faq to educate my fellow gamers who are curious about the Famicom 
and Famicom Disk Systems. I hope that you find this information helpful. I have
also addressed many of the common problems that people may encounter along the
way. Any help is apreciated. Contact info is on the bottom. 
Thank you.

This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed 
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web
site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a 
violation of copyright.

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Table of Contents:

1.0 Famicom
2.0 AV Famicom
3.0 Famicom Disk
3.4 Error Messages
4.0 Sharp Twin Famicom
5.0 Common Question
6.0 Extra: Famicom Part Numbers
7.0 Contact

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1.0 Famicom (Family Computer)

1.1 Information

The Famicom was released in Japan on July 15th,1983. Original price was 14,800
yen(aprox $150).

1.2 Specs


CPU: NMOS 6502
CPU Speed: 1.78 MHz
Resolution: 256x240 (effectively 256x224 in NTSC mode)
Color Palette: 52
Displayable Colors: 16
Max Sprites: 64
Max Sprites / Line: 8
Sprite Size: 8x8 or 8x16
Picture Scroll: 2 H.V.
RAM: 2 Kilobytes
Video RAM: 2 Kilobytes

CPU    8 bit
PPU    ?
RAM    ?
ROM    ?

1.3 Original Retail Package contains:

HVC-001 Famicom System 
HVC-002 AC Adapter
HVC-003 RF Switch
HVC-004 75/300 ohms adapter
Manual
Manga Manual (Comic Book Manual)
Dust Cap (for front expansion port)
Yellow Instruction Sheet
Box with Foam

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2.0 AV Famicom

2.1 Information

The system was released around 1992. Two removeable controllers were included with
the system. The controller ports were placed in the fron of the system while 
the expansion port was moved to the side. The controllers are idenical to the 
ones relesed in the US There is no RF conector for the unit. It connects to a 
tv with Nintendo's AV Cord. The AV cord and the the power supply were both sold 
separatly.

2.2 Specs

CPU: NMOS 6502
CPU Speed: 1.78 MHz
Resolution: 256x240 (effectively 256x224 in NTSC mode)
Color Palette: 52
Displayable Colors: 16
Max Sprites: 64
Max Sprites / Line: 8
Sprite Size: 8x8 or 8x16
Picture Scroll: 2 H.V.
RAM: 2 Kilobytes
Video RAM: 2 Kilobytes

CPU    8 bit
PPU    ?
RAM    ?
ROM    ?

2.3 Original Retail Package contains:

HVC-101 AV Famicom
HVC-102 Controller (Dogbone style) x 2
Manual
Box
????

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3.0 Famicom Disk System

3.1 Information

The Famicom Disk System was created as an alternate way to distribute games 
cheeply. At the time it was released the micro chips that were used in the game
carts were expensive to produce and developers needed more room to make bigger 
games. So Nintendo figured to make re-writeable game disks. THe disk drive 
connected to the Famicom through a Ram Adapter. Also since battery save games 
did not exist yet the disks were the first to allow you to save your games. The
disk games were discontinued a few years later due to rampant piracy and that 
the price on micro chips had decreased and the sized available grew larger.
Nintendo continued writing games to disks untill 2003.

3.2 Specs

N/A
System could use 6 D batteries or a separate AC plug.

3.3 Original Retail Package Contains:

HVC-022 Disk Drive
HVC-023 Ram Adapter
HVC-026 RF Cable Extension
Manual
Box with Foam
(there may have been a manga manual as well but as of right now I do not know)
Magnetic Head Protector Sheet


3.4 Error Messages

01. Disk Set Err. 01              |  
02. Battery Err. 02               | Batteries Are Dead
03. Write Protect Err. 03         | Unable to write to disk (check tabs on disk)
04. Game Maker Err. 04            |
05. Game Name Err. 05             |
06. Game Version Err. 06          |
07. A,B Side Err. 07              | Wrong side inserted
08. Disk No Err. 08               |
20-29. Disk Trouble Err. 20-29    |
30. Disk Full Err. 30             | No room left for saves (Disk is Full)

3.5 Extra Info

Many games released for the disk system that were brought to the US had save 
features. But when they were brought to the US nintendo had to convert them to 
password systems or remove the save feature compleatly. Some games that were 
converted to passwords are: Metroid, Kid Icarus and Punch-out!. Some games 
where it was removed compleatly: Castlevaina 1,2,&3.
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4.0 Sharp Twin Famicom

4.1 Information

The twin famicom was a combination of the Famicom and Disk System in one. It 
was sold and distributed by Sharp. It was available in two colors Black and 
Red. It was capable of out-putting to the tv with an RF switch or Av cables.

4.2 Specs

Same as the Famicom and Disk System

4.3 Original Retail Package contains:

Twin Famicom
2 wired controllers
Av cables
Power Cable
Manual
???
???

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5.0 Common Questions

1. Can I play Famicom Games on the NES?
Famicom games can be played on the NES with a 60 pin to 72 pin converter. 

2. Where can I get Famicom to NES (60 to 72) converters?
The converter can be found usually on ebay or there is a converter in certain
older NES Carts

3. Can I play NES games on the Famicom?
NES games can be played on the Famicom with a 72 pin to 60 pin converter. 

4. Where can I get NES to Famicom (72 to 60) converters?
The converter can be found usually on ebay or these shops.
http://www.lik-sang.com/search.php?query=famicom
http://www.lan-kwei.com/nesE/

5. How can I get the famicom to work with a US TV?
I don't reccomend atempting to use the Rf box that comes with the famicom. You
can use the Rf box from an old NES or SNES. It will not work on Channel 3 or 4
like a US system would. You need to set you TV or VCR on Channel 95 and set the
switch on the Famicom to 1. Nintendo still sells the RF switch on their website
and in stores. The Nintendo brand RF switch for the N64 or Cube will work fine.

6. Is it safe to plug the famicom into the wall?
US and Japan's Voltage are nealy the same 110v(us) 100v(jp). So there is little Chance
for blowing the system up. If you got a HongKong version Famicom I would take
it to radio shack to get a proper power supply. Do not use a power supply from
a US NES it will damage the Famicom.

7. Can I connect the disk drive to the Front Loading NES?
Not directlry. It might be possible with really long 60 to 72 converter or a
bunch of gamegenies and a converter.(if anyone is able to get this to work
please let me know)

8. Can I connect the disk drive to the Toploading NES?
Yes, But you would need a 60 to 72 pin Converter. (see above)


9. Where can I get famicom systems and games?
Systems:
Ebay.com
http://www.gamechoiceclub.com

Carts:
Ebay.com
http://www.gamechoiceclub.com

Disks:
Ebay.com
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Stylish/8684/index2.html

"I am not associated in these sites in anyway so, if you shop them
you do so at your own risk."


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6.0 Extra: Famicom Part Numbers

HVC-001 Famicom System 
HVC-002 AC Adapter
HVC-003 RF Switch
HVC-004 75/300 ohms adapter
HVC-005 Light Gun
HVC-006 Holster for Gun
HVC-007 Keyboard
HVC-008 Private data recorder(Tape Deck)
HVC-009 ?
HVC-010 ?
HVC-011 ?
HVC-012 Famicom Robot
HVC-013 ?
HVC-021 Famicom Disk
HVC-022 Disk Drive
HVC-023 Ram Adapter
HVC-024 ?
HVC-025 Power Supply for Disk System
HVC-026 RF Cable Extension
HVC-027 Disk Cleaner
HVC-028 Disk System Disk Cleaning Kit
HVC-029 Disk System Head Cleaning Spray
HVC-030 Disk System Head Cleaning Card
HVC-031 3D System Goggles
HVC-032 3D System Connector
HVC-033 to HVC-049 ???
HVC-050 NETWORK SYSTEM
HVC-051 NETWORK Controller
HVC-052 ?
HVC-053 Modular Cable
HVC-054 Telephone Switch
HVC-055 to HVC-100 ???
HVC-101 AV Famicom
HVC-102 Controller (Dogbone style)
HVC-103 RF Modulator


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7.0 Contact info

If you have any questions, info or items you think I should add to this faq
feel free to email me. Please put "famicom faq" in the title or I may not 
recieve it. 

Karol***_64***@***hotmail***.com (remove the *** from my the address)

You may also message me at: AIM: Blizzardjesus or ICQ: 82998944


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Special thanks
cjayc

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Copyrite 2003-2004 Karol Szymczuk
Blizzardjesus Copyrite 2003 Karol Szymczuk
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