Hard discs
For Windows 95 /MS-DOS 6.2/ MS-DOS 5.0
It is good to have a IDE type 3.5 internal HDD between 1200 MB and 4300 MB for those OS. Because the capacity is compatible with Win 95, DOS 6.2 and DOS 5.0, just in case. After 4300MB, you will maybe have compatibility problem with some PC-98.
Windows is big, then, under 1200 MB, you will have not enough space, but you will never use more than 4300 MB, as a game usually takes maximum 40MB on the disc.
Here is a typical HDD, IDE, 3.5 inch, 1200 MB, inside the PC-9821V12.
You can create 2 partitions, 1 for windows 95/dos 6.2, and 1 for MS-DOS 5.0.
2nd HDD for MS-DOS 3.3D
It is recommanded to add a second HDD for a MS-DOS 3.3 boot. Because several old games don't accept even DOS 5.0.
MS-DOS 3.3D doesn't accept HDD more than 124MB.
Here are pictures of the second HDD I used.
Floppy Disk Drives
Types of FDD
You have to be very careful when you choose a FDD for your PC-98.
Here is the page about FDD compatibility :
for example, for a PC-9821V12, it is better to use :
- FD1231T model 134-506790-011-0
- FD1231T model 134-506790-011-1
- FD1231T model 134-506790-226-2
- FD1231T model 134-506790-343-2
Search for your model in the list of the website.
My model is a FD1231T model 134-506790-011-0
2nd FDD
It will be necessary for many games to have a second FDD.
- For that, you will need a FLAT 2FDD cable. 99% of cables for 2FDD are crossed, then the mother board can detect automaticly the second FDD. PC-98 motherboard doesn't recognize crossed cables. Then you NEED a flat cable. As I could'nt find a suitable cable, I had to cut a crossed cable and solder the cable to creat a flat cable.
- As the mother board doesn't recognize FDD automaticly, you will have to be very careful for the jumper order. You can find jumper configuration in the page :
Double floppy flat cable for PC-98 (Homemade)
It is hard today to find a flat floppy cable. Why ? Because in all PC from 1990 years, crossing cable allows computer to understand automaticly which one is Floppy drive 1 and which one is Floppy drive 2. But PC-98 doesn't recognize cross cables. Then we will need to find a flat cable. Or create one !
Why create a flat cable, and not buy one ? Because flat cables are expensive and rare. With a good old cross cable and 30 minutes of your time, you can have one now !
For that, you need :
- a normal crossed cable
- a solder iron
- solder wire
- Heat-shrink tube
Cut the cable crossed part.
Then strip the cables.
Then, you can solder each wire to their pair on the front.
(to create a flat cable)
Don't forget to add Heat-shrink tubes on each wire to avoid short circuit.
Et voilà !
