Airshack Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) Wondering if this trakball by Wico has a mode switch as the Atari 2600 trackball does, switching from joystick to trackball mode? Also wondering about the mode differences? I notice the Atari trackball mode seems to require trackball compatibility in the Atari system game code to work properly, otherwise you must use it in joystick mode. Lastly, wondering if the TI has any games specifically written for a trackball? I suspect none exist. Ill try Atari centipede with the Atari trackball on the TI... Edited July 12, 2018 by Airshack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 There are several games where a trackball is better. I use mine to play Centipede and Barrage most of the time, but there are others where it is a major improvement over a joystick too. It only has the one mode on the TI, IIRC (or at least I've never tried to look to see if there was a mode switch on mine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 No mode switch with the TI Wico "Command Control" trackball for the TI. It does differ from the Atari model, in that it requires a power adapter to function on the TI. In the past some have mistakenly purchased an Atari model thinking they could just use a joystick adapter... NOPE! You may not get as much use out of one as you may think, but I've found in addition to the two games Ksarul mentioned above, it also works well with: Stuart's Internet browser (better than the joystick actually) TI-Artist (now with the TIPI we have mouse capability) Never Lander 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 I tried hooking up the Atari 2600 trackball to the TI with an Atari adapter. The fire button(s) fire yet the trackball provides no motion in joystick and trakball modes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I tried hooking up the Atari 2600 trackball to the TI with an Atari adapter. The fire button(s) fire yet the trackball provides no motion in joystick and trakball modes. Yeah, the TI's joystick port does not supply juice to the trackball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I tried hooking up the Atari 2600 trackball to the TI with an Atari adapter. The fire button(s) fire yet the trackball provides no motion in joystick and trakball modes. Yes the trackball of the TI99 working without an adapter connected, just the trackball and it has a power supply needed for working. the Atari one instead haven't the power supply. Tried me too to get it work on the Atari version on a TI99 but without success. Probably the Power supply circuitery is essential like also it happens for the TI Mouse. this is a picture i done during my trials 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I never liked the RED lower body of the trackball and the yellow ball. I like things to match the TI console... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 Yes the trackball of the TI99 working without an adapter connected, just the trackball and it has a power supply needed for working. the Atari one instead haven't the power supply. Tried me too to get it work on the Atari version on a TI99 but without success. Probably the Power supply circuitery is essential like also it happens for the TI Mouse. this is a picture i done during my trials WICOTrack-Compare.png Just makes me wonder how a 2600 powers its own trackball then? Seems the signals for x/y still use the same pins? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 It puts +5V on one of the otherwise unused pins. You could use it on a TI if you actually injected power to the 2600 side of the cable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 I don't remember now the right pinout of the Atari Trackball compared to the TI one, will check in the next days so to be sure to write right infos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 I don't remember now the right pinout of the Atari Trackball compared to the TI one, will check in the next days so to be sure to write right infos So it’s a matter of running 5V from the console to the one TI joyport pin? Perhaps modifying the TI joyport to provide power to an unused pin with be the simple fix, without damaging any other joysticks? Since the unused pin wouldn’t be connected to anything unless using the Atari trakball? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Anyone know the story behind the TI joyport? Why one vs two? Must have been another cost control deal? I believe Sega, Commodore and others used Atari standard. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 So it’s a matter of running 5V from the console to the one TI joyport pin? Perhaps modifying the TI joyport to provide power to an unused pin with be the simple fix, without damaging any other joysticks? Since the unused pin wouldn’t be connected to anything unless using the Atari trakball? I'm leery. I've never seen or heard of a mod like that. Applying power to one (unused) pin is good and all, but which pin(s) functions as ground? Unless you get a schematic or have one of the 'big-guns' weigh-in, I'd hold off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXB Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 I have the Microsoft Serial 9 pin Trackball and works great with the TI Artist DSR for mouse. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-IntelliMouse-Trackball-Serial-and-PS2-Compatible-Wired-Part-X03-09209/263543416600?epid=1001919860&hash=item3d5c696718:g:A5MAAOSwqu1apNAg It came with a Adaptor for PS 2 and 9 pin to RS232 25 pin. I am surprised we do not see more use of this on the TI99 forums. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 I don't remember now the right pinout of the Atari Trackball compared to the TI one, will check in the next days so to be sure to write right infos “... Atari joystick port The Atari joystick port is a widely used computer port used to connect various gaming controllers to game console and home computer systems. It was originally introduced on the Atari 2600 in 1977 and then used on the Atari 400 and 800 in 1979. It went cross-platform with the Commodore VIC-20 of 1981, and was then used on many following machines from both companies, as well as a growing list of 3rd party machines like the MSX platform and various Sega consoles.” Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 16, 2018 Author Share Posted July 16, 2018 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted July 16, 2018 Author Share Posted July 16, 2018 How about hooking 5v power to pin one inside the console, and then creating a cable dongle specifically for the Atari Trakball? Any way 5v on unused pin-1 will damage another joystick? If so, I can’t see it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 There is very little additional power in the console--making any mod to extend it out to the joystick port questionalble at best. It would be much easier if you put your power dongle onto the Atari TrakBall and injected power to its Pin 7, with all other connections straight through (only feed the power to the Trak Ball side of the connector). Then you plug the dongle into the TI joystick adapter and everything should work. This is pretty much what the WICO Track Ball and the MBX do already, so the principle has already been tested and verified to work. You just need a nice high-quality +5V power supply to feed the power in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 I have a single adapter that does this but for only one joystick Port I used it to do this test https://youtu.be/iS9pC7N89F4 Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isellhomeszach Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I got a few cases of these wico ti trackballs brand new in the box. Pm me if anyone needs one. 55.00 bucks each free shipping........zach 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkdrummer Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Hacked this together 30 years ago. 9 volt battery with on/off switch. 9 volts didn't seem to hurt it. Why the Atari? Because I'm left handed, buttons for lefties and righties. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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