CantStopClicking

I have to second this motion. I've tried to do my best at scanning in documents as I find them but it's a time consuming process. So, thank you Ernie for your time and efforts, yet again! In case anyone is interested, here's a link to a website for a DIY book scanning project. I'm tempted to do this myself but haven't yet. http://www.diybookscanner.org/ Cheers! -Dano

My Super XB seems to work in my Classic99 setup. I haven't messed with it in a LONG time so I don't remember if I changed this or what but, here's what I have in my config file: [usercart1] ; *** Super Extended Basic *** name="Super XB" rom0=G|6000|8000|C:\TI\Cartridges\Utilities\SuperXBG.Bin rom1=C|6000|2000|C:\TI\Cartridges\Utilities\SuperXBC.Bin rom2=X|6000|2000|C:\TI\Cartridges\Utilities\SuperXBD.Bin You'll need to change your path accordingly... Let me know if that does that trick. If not, I'll upload my bin files. Cheers! -Dano

Wow, sounds like you guys are keeping busy! I had similar issues with my TI emulation setup and my Mac. Ultimately I ended up with getting a slightly newer, but used, Mac off of eBay that could run 64-bit apps. So I'm running Macbook Pro with Mt. Lion. I use V9T9 on the Mac, and Windows XP via Parallels (virtual machine). I use TI99-DIR in Windows for all my conversions. It's simply the easiest to use and XP runs excellent under Parallels. Ed; have you considered running an older version of Parallels and running XP? At some point Parallels ran on pre OS-X machines. Best of luck and keep plugging away! -Dano

Ok, so I just re-tested the TI Diagnostic disks to make sure I wasn't misleading anyone. 32k Test fails with Editor/Assembler - Works with MiniMem. However, you can run a "EXPANSION BOX TEST" if you utilize Disk 0291A.DSK and run it from Extended Basic. Definitely not as informative as the tools from disk 0291B.DSK & MM. Be sure to rename the TI disk 0291A.DSK as "TEST". The XB loader is referencing the disk by label name only. Don't know if that will shed any light on your 32k memory problem on your other post or not but, at least it doesn't require MiniMemory. -Dano

I think the only test that fails is the 32k test with Editor/Assembler. And possibly the Pcode Card test required the MM cartridge. The other tests seemed to work, although I noticed I had a lock up or two here and there before I realized that I needed to be doing this from MM. Once I switched to MM it, everything was stable. I'll try and see if I can build one of the special loop-back cables they are referring to and test it on my system. There is pretty substantial documentation so I'm hoping it's in there. I also have a failing RS232 card and woud like to fix it. My symptoms are; it keeps blowing away the TL084CN (Quad JFET OpAmp) chip. Not sure why or how to trouble-shoot that. I have an oscilloscope and hopefully a logic analyzer soon. But even once I get those, I'm not sure how to logically narrow down the problem. Anyone have some steps for me to take? TIA! -Dano

Yes, TIImageTool is good too! Is it possible to put in a feature request?? I'd love to have side by side windows and/or windows you could drag and drop between. Thanks for a great app regardless! -Dano

Here is the TI Diagnostic Disk Set (3 total). You want the third disk for the utilities. NOTE: You really DO need Mini-Memory for the Diagnostics to work right. If you use Editor/Assembler and test the memory it will tell you it's bad. Use Mini-Memory! -Dano TI Diagnostics.zip

Ok, I'll have to give that a shot next time. Thanks for the explanation! -Dano

Speaking of PCB's and Gerber's... I'm trying to learn EagleCAD. Does anyone know how to use this program? I get the basics but I can't figure out how to create card edge connectors electrically. As well as irregular board shape for the card edge (cartridge style). Would appreciate any pointers if anyone knows how to do that in EagleCAD specifically. TIA -Dano

With regards to the F18A; I am stunned by performance, packaging, ease of use/installation, and professionalism. Price was extremely reasonable. I'm dying to get my second one! Killer job on that! -Dano

Ed, What version of Mac OS X are you running? The latest version works on my system with a minor change to the shell script. I am running Macbook Pro with Mt. Lion 64-bit. I'm attaching the updated script here. See if that works for you. It's a good emulator and it supports DSK images as well as FIAD directories. #!/bin/sh # v9t9.sh # # (c) 2011-2013 Edward Swartz # # All rights reserved. This program and the accompanying materials # are made available under the terms of the Eclipse Public License v1.0 # which accompanies this distribution, and is available at # http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-v10.html # NORMSCRIPT=$(echo $0 | sed 's/\\/\//g') BASEDIR=$(dirname "$NORMSCRIPT") if [ -z "$JAVA" ]; then JAVA=java fi VMARGS="-Xmx256M -Djava.library.path=$TMPDIR/.v9t9j/exec/libs" if [ "$1" = "-debug" ]; then VMARGS="$VMARGS -agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=y,address=localhost:8000" shift fi OS=$(uname) if [ "$OS" = "Darwin" ]; then VMARGS="$VMARGS -XstartOnFirstThread" fi VMARGS="$VMARGS -Dlog4j.configuration=jar:file:$BASEDIR/v9t9j.jar!/log4j.properties" #VMARGS="$VMARGS -Dlog4j.configuration=jar:file:$BASEDIR/v9t9j.jar!/debug.properties" VMARGS="$VMARGS $V9T9_VMARGS" "$JAVA" $VMARGS -cp "$BASEDIR" -jar $BASEDIR/v9t9j.jar "$@" The change is made to line 18: VMARGS="-Xmx256M -Djava.library.path=$TMPDIR/.v9t9j/exec/libs" I had a previous version working on Snow Leopard but it was 32-bit. I haven't tried this latest version on it, though. I ended up getting a slightly newer Mac that was 64-bit. It appears to me that Apple broke something in there. The only issue I currently have with it; is sometimes the directories take a long time to browse. He's taking a look into that issue now. Let me know your results! -Dano

I have to second (or whatever place I'm now...) the profit margins are pretty slim. I think part of the problem is volume. Since this is pretty exclusively a hobby thing, one can't order enough parts and supplies to get a price break to build the *widget* and still make any money after the R&D and build process. For me, it's a learning tool and fun at the same time so I have justified the "profit" as knowledge gained, not monetarily. Definitely not a business model that's destined for success. But, that doesn't stop me from trying, learning, and having fun. That's my return on investment. Plant the seeds, some WILL grow! Cheers! -Dano

Only if we feed it.

I saw that was recommended in the comments section of one those YouTube videos. if you can filter out the trolls in the comment sections of the videos, it's a good resource for alternative options/reviews/real-life use. As much as I'd love to build one like Walid's (which I will still probably do) my time is probably better spent just picking up one that's ready to go. Nothing like having to troubleshoot a problem with a troubleshooting tool you just made. <=- circular reference = Dano's head blowing up. Cheers! -Dano

You paid that much!!! This is gonna sound super corny BUT I bought one from RADIO SHACK (of all places) for $9.99, years and years ago, like well over 5!

[OT] How does one insert a link to a blog entry? I used BBCode Special with Blog Entry and then entered the message ID, but that didn't work. What am I missing?

You are the man! Thanks for all the hard work you've put into this, for us! You might wanna check out this thread in regards to the "contents of each file". Here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/223593-command-line-for-disk-images-available/ Cheers! -Dano

I have to admit, for a quick reference card, it's pretty damn bulky! And fairly thick card stock to boot.

Yeah, I've kinda wondered about that myself. I feel like the listings are a little misleading sometimes. Copies of manuals, stocks photos, games on disk, etc...

Unfortunately, I don't have that one. But I do have this: DataBioTics - Warranty Card.pdf Not much help there though...

Well, I don't know if this really qualifies as thee manual but here's what I have from MicroPal's release. Cheers! -Dano MicroPal - Computer War Manual.pdf

I would have to say it is RARE but not EXTREMELY rare. They also released that on disk with Submarine and River Rescue (IIRC). Extremely rare is something along the lines of Robotron 2048. I've seen Computer War go anywhere from around the $30 range up to maybe $70 if it was in top notch shape, manual and all. Worst thing about the third party cartridges is they all seemed to use extremely cheap labels. And fall off due to age quite easily. Which, I don't mind if it's still there to be glued back on but that isn't always the case (no pun intended). Cheers! -Dano

I figured that's what the 'lsf' was representing. I just thought it was funny you had dir in there instead of 'lsal'. All good. Don't make a lick of difference to me as long as it does what it's intended and it definitely does that! :-) Cheers! -Dano

Ok, so my brother just send me this joke. Normally I don't forward jokes (or anything really) but I just can't help it this time! FORWARDED JOKE: "I can finally get rid of my case of two hundred 1980′s computers I’ve had on eBay for six months, now that a bloke in Mexico has just bought them. Adios, Amigas!"

I have to second the F18A method. The ONLY reason I don't use my F18A more often is because my monitor does Picture-in-Picture (PIP) and have inputs for Composite, S-Video, VGA, and DVI. The kicker is it won't do PIP with VGA & DVI at the same time. Mac is hooked up to the DVI input and TI is hooked up to VGA but then I can't do PIP. BUT, if I hook up the TI to the Composite input and my Mac to the DVI then I can do PIP and I can use my video capture board to capture the TI at the same time. Some day, I hope to make some video tutorials and the capture board comes in handy for that. Hands down though, the quality you'll get with the F18A is just unreal! If you only need a TI base unit, I'll be more than happy to give you one. If you want me to upgrade it with a F18A, I can. I only would expect you to pay me back for the cost of the F18A and shipping to you. No charge for the TI and no charge for the F18A installation. Cheers! -Dano