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Getting a PS/2 mouse to work in joystick emulation mode on the TI-99/4A.


Dexter

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In this thread I got the idea on how to get a PS/2 mouse, or anything alike, to work on the TI-99/4A as if it were a joystick.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/231274-stuarts-ti-994a-internet-web-browser/?p=3201227

 

It might be possible with an adapter called: "Micromys V4".

 

http://www.vesalia.de/e_micromysv4.htm

http://www.protovision-online.com/hardw/micromys.php?language=en

http://www.micromys.de/

 

The Micromys can convert an incoming PS/2 mouse signal to Commodore compatible joystick movements. This can be done by holding the right mouse button during powering on the device.

 

There is also a touchpad with PS/2 interface:

http://www.ergocanada.com/detailed_specification_pages/cirque_corporation_easy_cat_ps2_or_serial_touchpad.html

 

Of course being new to the TI, I didn’t know of its strange joystick interface. So after looking a bit deeper into it, I found a few hurdles:

 

1 The TI has no Commodore compatible joystick port. At least I knew that much. :)

2 There is no power for the Micromys on the TI joystick port.

3 How to get the Micromys in Commodore joystick emulation mode.

4 There are two Micromys versions, V3 and V4.

 

1 The first issue is easily solved with an Atari <-> TI joystick adapter. I finished it and it works fine. Found it on this site:

http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/cables/joystick.html

 

2 Secondly, what I didn't know was that the TI joystick port doesn't have GND and 5V. This is necessary to power the Micromys.

Fortunately I found a mod to get power on the two unused pins of the joystick port.

http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/joystick.htm#modifying%20the%20port

Unfortunately pin 2 and 7 on the TI joystick interface is the common GND signal on the two Commodore joysticks on their pins 8.

There is another mod, which could be useful.

http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/joystick.htm#circuitery

 

3 To get the Micromys in Commodore joystick emulation mode, I have to set the dip switches on my version 3, and hold the right mouse button while powering up.

 

4 Micromys V3 isn’t available anymore, now it’s V4 which has no dipswitches anymore. It auto detects the interface on the pins voltages I guess.

After reading all information, it seems one can turn off auto detection and set it to Commodore mode only.

 

So I went on and took a battery and connected it to pin7 +5V and pin8 GND.

While connecting the battery, I held down the right mouse button.

 

What can I say, with Micromys V3 it WORKS! I played TI Invaders with it, and it works quite stable and precise. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the result. I used the battery, because the consoles ground can’t be connect to pin8 directly.

 

Without having tested, Micromys V4 should also work when turning off auto detection.

 

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Yes, they are digital, as far as I know, they are exchangable with the Atari joysticks.

Here is the pinout of the two joystick ports of the Commodore 64.

post-41771-0-99334900-1427391426_thumb.jpg

Edited by Dexter
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Yeah that makes total sense. I don't know why I even questioned it... I guess going so long without sleep played a part. Damn, after work tonight I'm not going to be hanging out here... I'm going to crash instead. I feel rather foolish having posted that. Right now it's COFFEE TIME!!!!!

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