repetto74

November 24, 2019

Now I tried step 2 with the compile of the microcontroller and bootloader code in avr/

Getting again an error message. I suppose that the bash_profile file needs to be updated also?

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:ti riccardorepetto$ cd /Users/riccardorepetto/Desktop/finalgrom99

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:finalgrom99 riccardorepetto$ cd avr/

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:avr riccardorepetto$ make

rm -f update.avr

rm -f finalgrom.hex

rm -f finalgrom.eep

rm -f finalgrom.obj

rm -f finalgrom.cof

rm -f finalgrom.elf

rm -f finalgrom.map

rm -f finalgrom.obj

rm -f finalgrom.a90

rm -f finalgrom.sym

rm -f finalgrom.lnk

rm -f finalgrom.lss

rm -f finalgrom.o loader.o wire.o lib/pff.o lib/diskio.o jtag/ports.o jtag/lenval.o jtag/micro.o

rm -f finalgrom.lst loader.lst wire.lst lib/pff.lst lib/diskio.lst jtag/ports.lst jtag/lenval.lst jtag/micro.lst

rm -f finalgrom.s loader.s wire.s lib/pff.s lib/diskio.s jtag/ports.s jtag/lenval.s jtag/micro.s

rm -f finalgrom.d loader.d wire.d lib/pff.d lib/diskio.d jtag/ports.d jtag/lenval.d jtag/micro.d

rm -f .dep/*

Compiling: finalgrom.c

avr-gcc -c -mmcu=atmega328p -I. -g -D F_CPU=8000000L -Os -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -fno-strict-aliasing -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -Wa,-adhlns=finalgrom.lst -std=gnu99 -MD -MP -MF .dep/finalgrom.o.d finalgrom.c -o finalgrom.o

make: avr-gcc: No such file or directory

make: *** [finalgrom.o] Error 1

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:avr riccardorepetto$

November 24, 2019

10 minutes ago, InfiniteTape said:
For some reason, your py files aren't marked as executable. Run this command in that folder.
chmod +x *.py

That did the trick apparently ?

Last login: Sun Nov 24 20:01:19 on ttys001

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:~ riccardorepetto$ cd /Users/riccardorepetto/Desktop/finalgrom99

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:finalgrom99 riccardorepetto$ cd ti/

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:ti riccardorepetto$ ./make.py

> browser.a99 <2> 0218 - Warning: Possible branch/jump optimization

Warning: Unreferenced constants: C_FF

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:ti riccardorepetto$

Now I have the TI folder with help.bin and menu.bin files created. Hope this is what I should expect ?

November 24, 2019

18 minutes ago, InfiniteTape said:
Can you do the following command and post the output? I'm wondering if there's a file executable bit problem.
ls -l /Users/Desktop/finalgrom99/xdt99

Here it is

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:ti riccardorepetto$ ls -l /Users/riccardorepetto/Desktop/finalgrom99/xdt99

total 728

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 18092 8 jui 13:32 COPYING

drwxrwx---@ 9 riccardorepetto staff 306 8 jui 14:31 doc

drwxrwx---@ 7 riccardorepetto staff 238 8 jui 13:54 example

drwxrwx---@ 6 riccardorepetto staff 204 8 jui 13:32 ide

drwxrwx---@ 23 riccardorepetto staff 782 8 jui 13:55 lib

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 87554 8 jui 14:31 xas99.py

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 21608 8 jui 14:31 xbas99.py

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 32619 8 jui 14:31 xda99.py

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 41737 8 jui 14:31 xdg99.py

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 45983 8 jui 14:31 xdm99.py

-rw-rw----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 64059 8 jui 14:31 xga99.py

-rw-r-----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 29341 8 jui 14:31 xhm99.py

-rw-r-----@ 1 riccardorepetto staff 11687 8 jui 14:31 xvm99.py

Mac-mini-de-RICCARDO-4:ti riccardorepetto$

November 24, 2019

I went a step further but getting a different error when compiling....

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "./make.py", line 11, in <module>

if call(xas + ["menu.a99"], shell=False):

File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py", line 172, in call

return Popen(*popenargs, **kwargs).wait()

File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py", line 394, in __init__

errread, errwrite)

File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py", line 1047, in _execute_child

raise child_exception

OSError: [Errno 13] Permission denied

Here is below the batch profile file :

# Setting PATH for Python 3.7
# The original version is saved in .bash_profile.pysave
PATH="/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.7/bin:${PATH}"
export PATH

# Setting PATH for Python 2.7
# The original version is saved in .bash_profile.pysave
PATH="/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/bin:${PATH}"
export PATH

export PATH="/Users/Desktop/finalgrom99/xdt99:${PATH}"

maybe a syntax mistake on the added line ?

November 24, 2019

16 minutes ago, mizapf said:

.bash_profile or .profile are hidden files in your home directory. (All Unix files starting with a period are hidden; show them with ls -a.) It depends on the Unix flavor and used shell which of the files actually set the PATH. You can use any text editor to change them.

Thanks mizapf.

ls -a will list hidden files then I had to set the option to show hidden files on Mac OS High Sierra and I do have this file visible now :-). Ok I will try with the guide of InfiniteTape and cross my fingers ?

November 24, 2019

10 hours ago, InfiniteTape said:
You need to have xdt99 installed and in your path. Add a line like this to the file ~/.bash_profile
export PATH=/Users/brian/Documents/endlos99/xdt99:$PATH
Be sure to load a fresh terminal after you make that change.

Then you'll need to update the make.py file to point to the xdt99 lib files. Near the top of the file, you'll see a line like this:
xas = ["xas99.py", "-b", "-R", "-I", "/Users/brian/Documents/endlos99/xdt99/lib/"]
Change that path to the path to your xdt99/lib folder.

Hi InfiniteTape,

Ok the second part where I have to update the make.py Python executable is fine. I can use Pycharm installed on OSX and update the path to the lib folder of the xdt99 main folder.

The first part I do not catch exactly how I am supposed to install the xdt99? I have downloaded a folder as per attached screenshot. Where can I find the ~/.bash_profile file in order to add the PATH to xdt99 folder?

Sorry for asking my knowledge on unix command lines is somehow limited.

Rick

November 23, 2019

1 hour ago, InfiniteTape said:

Those commands are written for either Linux or Mac. On Windows, use the Windows Command Prompt and use backslashes instead of forward slashes. You need to be in the root of the repository (wherever you cloned or unzipped the download) before running the commands.

Thanks a lot for your explanation InfiniteTape this looks more clear to me now.

I do have a mac so I tried to compile (I have installed Python 2.7.17 OSX) using the Terminal. I do get this error.

Last login: Sun Nov 24 00:17:28 on ttys000

Mac-mini:~ $ cd /Users/rick/Desktop/finalgrom99-master

Mac-mini:finalgrom99-master

$ cd ti/

Mac-mini:ti

$ ./make.py

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "./make.py", line 11, in <module>

if call(xas + ["menu.a99"], shell=False):

File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py", line 172, in call

return Popen(*popenargs, **kwargs).wait()

File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py", line 394, in __init__

errread, errwrite)

File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py", line 1047, in _execute_child

raise child_exception

OSError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory

Mac-mini:ti

$

November 23, 2019

Hi guys,

I am in the process of building the FINALGROM99 card as I do feel confident now with smd soldering after some successfull trials. Despite the fact that I am ok with the hardware part I do have a weak side which is sofware related.

As explained by Ralph on his GitHub, a compile action is needed to build the files to be used to program both the Atmega328 and the CPLD. I do have installed Python 2.7 and downloaded the xdt99 suite but I am stuck as I do not know exactly where to insert the first command line :

$ cd ti/

$ ./make.py

Is that from the python console or the Windows 10 console??

Is there a more detailed guide on how to compile the files??

Thanks

Rick

December 28, 2018

Having some SIERRA ON LINE games would be great! Cannot vote, keeps getting a cast error

December 23, 2018

Finally fixed after rewiring :-). All is good now :-D

December 16, 2018

Sounds good Dragonstomper!! This will be an easy fix with some wiring then :-D

December 16, 2018

Hi Guys,

I spoke too soon unfortunately. All the tiny legs of this long flat resistor are broken just at the edge and soldering the small remain into the through hole will not make contacts :-(. Is there any trick to fix them? Putting solder paste onto those tiny legs seems quiet difficult. Any idea if those resistor can be found to purchase?

December 16, 2018

That “large flat white resistor” sounds suspiciously like one of those above-the-board circuit connectors TI used in the TI-99/4A, which seemed to double as shields and/or airflow baffles.

I misspelled the computer on my post above and it is a TI99/4A. There are two or three of those big resistors which looks more of a flat piece of cardboard. They can be bent quite easily when pushing on them with the risk of breaking the legs with repetitive torsions. Very bad choice I have to say. Solved anyway :-)

December 16, 2018

Solved finally!!!! :grin: I was applying some fresh solder on the suspect area and when trying to wiggle the PCB while powering on the TI99 I put my hand onto this large flat white resistor and everything started to move and beep on screen. So I put fresh solder on the resistor solder joint and all is back to business again :thumbsup: :grin:

December 15, 2018

Will try to clean the VDP socket with contact cleaner then.

Cleaning the VDP socket will not fix the problem. I have spotted the crack or bad solder joint somewhere around the two scratchpad rams I think.

December 15, 2018

YOU LIVE IN EUROPE?!?!?!

Yes

December 15, 2018

The bodger in me wants to suggest reassembling it in the case with a bit of folded cardboard positioned just where you need to apply pressure ...

I do not really catch what do you mean here? You mean putting cardboard to simulate the finger pressure? How can I do that ?

December 15, 2018

Hi Dragonstomper,

Yes the clock generator is socketed and was initially suspecting a bad socket so desoldered it properly and replaced with a precision socket before I made this video so no changes. Moving the PSU wires does not make any difference, I have checked voltages and they are all fine + applied fresh solder on the wires connection. Will try to clean the VDP socket with contact cleaner then.

December 15, 2018

Hi Dragonstomper,

This video speaks more than words on the issue I have. Putting pressure with my fingers on top of the clock generator and on the opposite edge of the board (close to the GROMS and Sound generator) will make the TI99 to boot up normally. As I release gently the pressure I start having the video getting garbled and when I totally release pressure than it goes black. Putting pressure again will make the TI99 boot sequence to start again (beep sound) so I do not think this is just related to a bad video connection. There is a cracked joint or track somewhere in the area where the finger pressure is bending the PCB. At first glance I cannot see anything from the solder side of the PCB.

December 15, 2018

Test are done without the cartridge port. I have some soldering skills and tools required so O would like to try to fix it :-). Thanks for the proposal but I am located in Europe and shipping costs will be far too high.

December 14, 2018

Little update. I found that when pushing hardly on the left side of the PCB board and firing up the machine then it will boot properly on the welcome screen! If I leave my finger then it goes black again. I tried then to wiggle gently the PCB and can see distorsions on screen. Sometimes when I put some pressure on the right side of the PCB then the video come back again. Weird and probably related to a broken track or bad solder joint? How can I proceed to find it out?

December 9, 2018

Hi Guys,

Reposting here as first request was posted on wrong section.

********************

Today I had to open my TI99/4A because there were a lot of video glitches on screen (top half part of the screen with a pink overlay and sometimes a lot of video glitches popping out). It turned out to be the cart connector making bad contacts. After a good cleaning and a test on the fly all seemed to work again but after re-assembling the machine then the TI99/4A will not power up anymore :-(. All I have is a black screen(no sound). I am maybe suspecting the power switch contacts having gone bad. How can I test it and how can I clean the switch? Is there any reference for a suitable replacement?

PS : The machine has the 32K mod hard wired in it and done by myself so could be also that a bad soldering somewhere is preventing a good start up.

Thanks

Rick

December 9, 2018

Just a black screen. I do see a white band glitching half a second but no boot and no sound.

December 9, 2018

Hi Guys,

Today I had to open my TI99/4A because there were a lot of video glitches on screen (top half part of the screen with a pink overlay and sometimes a lot of video glitches popping out). It turned out to be the cart connector making bad contacts. After a good cleaning and a test on the fly all seemed to work again but after re-assembling the machine then the TI99/4A will not power up anymore :-(. All I have is a black screen. I am maybe suspecting the power switch contacts having gone bad. How can I test it and how can I clean the switch? Is there any reference for a suitable replacement?

PS : The machine has the 32K mod hard wired in it and done by myself so could be also that a bad soldering somewhere is preventing a good start up.

Thanks

Rick