FM-7

Overview

The Fujitsu FM-7 is an 8-bit home computer introduced in 1982 as a cost-reduced spin on the FM-8. It pairs dual Motorola 6809 CPUs, extensive video RAM, and the distinctive MESS/MAME driver used by REG-Linux. The FM-7 (and the FM-77 series) remains popular for Japanese vintage software.

Technical specifications

• CPU: Dual Motorola 68xx (6809E/68B09) at 1–2 MHz
• Memory: 64 KB main RAM (expandable), 48 KB video RAM, ROM for BASIC/OS
• Graphics: Dual MC6847 chips delivering 320×200 8-color or 640×200 monochrome modes
• Sound: AY-3-8910 PSG providing three channels plus noise

Supported ROM extensions

wav, t77, mfi, dfi, hfe, mfm, td0, imd, d77, d88, 1dd, cqm, cqi, dsk, zip, 7z

Quick reference

• Emulator: MAME (MESS core)
• ROM folder: /userdata/roms/fm7
• Accepted formats: .wav, .t77, .mfi, .dfi, .hfe, .mfm, .td0, .imd, .d77, .d88, .1dd, .cqm, .cqi, .dsk, .zip, .7z

BIOS

Place the following BIOS archives into bios/ or roms/fm7:

MD5 checksum	Share file path	Description
4688a93aa298b9431c1788c9b90378c8	bios/electron.zip	Primary FM-7 ROM set
2cc67be4624df4dc66617742571a8e3d	bios/electron64.zip	Alternative ROM (FM-7 with 64 KB Master RAM)
df01cfe5894276de96bbd1c45b7e834c	bios/electron64.zip	Additional FM-7 variation ROM
f3a39227b401a2ce8cdc7e4b7a860aaf	bios/electron_plus1.zip	Plus/4-like expansion ROM
9aa334b4e8f6d7565e6323e0f77110de	bios/electron_plus3.zip	Super ROM set used by later FM-7 machines
Additional electron_plus3.zip files	See README	Additional issues for FM-77/AV models

For FM-77AV support, add bios/fm77av.zip (optional).

ROMs

Store FM-7/Fujitsu titles in /userdata/roms/fm7. Use disk images, tape dumps or zipped archives; the driver auto-detects the format and uses the appropriate loader. Multi-media titles may include .t77 or .wav for tape data.

Emulators

MAME (MESS core)

MAME’s FM-7/MESS driver handles all FM/Electron machines. Access the MAME menu ([HOTKEY] + south button or Tab) to configure machine type, ROM sets, drives and input devices.

Standardized REG-Linux flags: fm7.videomode, fm7.decoration, fm7.padtokeyboard.

ES setting name	Description => ES option key_value
VIDEO MODE fm7.video	Enable BGFX shaders or Accel/OpenGL rendering.
BGFX API fm7.bgfxbackend	Select BGFX backend (OpenGL, GLES, Vulkan).
BGFX FILTER fm7.bgfxshaders	Apply CRT/switchres shaders.
CRT SWITCHRES fm7.switchres	Enable SwitchRes profiles.
VERTICAL ROTATION fm7.rotation	Rotate to vertical orientation.
ALT DPAD fm7.altdpad	Adjust D-pad orientation when controllers misalign.
MODEL fm7.altmodel	Force FM-7 or FM-77AV machine type.
MEDIA TYPE fm7.altromtype	Indicate cassette vs disk media.
UI KEYS fm7.enableui	Start with UI keys enabled.

Controls

Here is the default FM-7 mapping on a REG-Linux Retropad. Use the MAME input menu to map keyboard keys or specialized controllers when necessary.

Troubleshooting

• If a game refuses to load, swap the machine type between FM-7 and FM-77AV via fm7.altmodel and ensure the correct BIOS is active.
• For tape games, verify .wav, .t77 or .mfi images are intact and zipped versions remain compressed.
• Use the integer scaler/zoom options in the MAME menu if border graphics are clipped.