qwertyfan994

Your timing in asking this question is great. If I can make it to the get together in Texas this year, it is something that I was hoping to discuss with someone. I am working on an article for a Z80 computer about using the dual joystick ports for a couple different interfacing projects. Think of this like an updated/variant version of the "The Computer Controller Cookbook" book from 40 years ago that students could use on different retro computers (in this case, non-Apple or Atari) using BASIC and advance to assembly, if they want. I was wondering yesterday what the current minimum configuration would be to have a single cartridge solution (without the need for a cassette player) with editor/assembler, interactive console for assembly language and persistent code/RAM disk for a simple TI-99/4a system that could easily be taken to computer shows. I am so out of the loop as to the modern solutions. Since I am more familiar with Z80 code, I am starting with that processor, but it would be nice to port the code to the TI.

I would be interested. I enjoyed the Chicago Fair a few years ago. Jeff

Anyone planning on going to the VCF in the Dallas area, https://www.vcfsw.org/ ? It has been a number of years since I have been to a Faire and I think that I will be able to attend this one. I did not know if any TI enthusiasts from this group are planning on attending. Jeff K

I have some old source code for MS-DOS viewers and converters when I was playing around with a simple C compiler for MS-DOS. I am not sure where I read about the CSGD format decoding, though. I think I was working on getting it to work from MS-DOS and then convert it to a Geneve executable, but I don't find my Geneve code. /* SHOWGR.C - A 'C' PROGRAM TO DISPLAY '_GR' FILES FROM THE MDOS PROMPT */ /* JEFFREY A. KUHLMANN 27FEB94 */ #include "graphics.h" #include "stdio.h" #include "string.h" #include "stdlib.h" #include "io.h" #include "conio.h" char infn[81]; /* input file name */ char str1[81]; char buf[10000]; FILE inf; int arry[20]; /* utility array */ char rows[81]; /* row string */ char cols[81]; /* columns string */ int ctr,end,delim,col,row; int rctr,cctr,cptr; int chardat[8],chrptr; char hexdat[81]; int hex[4]; int blank[4],where,pval,ccc; int mptr,fd,gm; main(argc,argv) int argc; char **argv; { gm=4; if (argc<2) { setvmode(2); puts("TI-CSGD PICTURE VIEWER FOR MDOS"); puts("Press any key when done"); puts("viewing picture..."); puts("TI-CSGD file name? (w/o _GR)"); gets(infn); } else strcpy(infn,argv[1]); strcat(infn,".GR"); if(argc>2)gm=atoi(argv[2]); setvmode(gm); fd=open(infn,O_BINARY); /* where=bread(infn,0,1,buf); */ mptr=157; if (!fd) {printf("Can't open %s",infn); setvmode(2);exit(0);} read(fd,buf,382); for(rctr=0;rctr<5;rctr++) for(cctr=0;cctr<5;cctr++) for(ccc=0;ccc<8;ccc++) { pval=buf[mptr++]; shwpic(); } while(!kbhit()); /* wait for keypress */ setvmode(2); exit(0); } shwpic() { int lctr,ltemp,ltemp1,one; one=1; for(lctr=7;lctr>=0;lctr=lctr-1) { if(lctr)ltemp1=one<<lctr; else ltemp1=1; pen_color(15); if(pval>=ltemp1) setpixel(cctr*8+ccc+1,rctr*8+(7-lctr)+1); pval=pval%ltemp1; } return; } </code> <code> /* GR2TIA.C - A 'C' PROGRAM TO CONVERT '_GR' FILES TO TI-Artist FROM THE MDOS PROMPT */ /* JEFFREY A. KUHLMANN 27FEB94 */ #include "dos.h" #include "graphics.h" #include "stdio.h" #include "string.h" #include "stdlib.h" #include "io.h" #include "conio.h" char infn[81]; /* input file name */ char infn1[81]; char str1[81]; char buf[10000]; FILE inf,outf; int arry[20]; /* utility array */ char rows[81]; /* row string */ char cols[81]; /* columns string */ int ctr,end,delim,col,row; int rctr,cctr,cptr; int chardat[8],chrptr; char hexdat[81]; int hex[4]; int blank[4],where,pval,ccc; int mptr,fd,gm,fd1; main(argc,argv) int argc; char **argv; { gm=6; if (argc<2) { setvmode(2); puts("TI-CSGD PICTURE VIEWER FOR MDOS"); puts("Press any key when done"); puts("viewing picture..."); puts("TI-CSGD file name? (w/o _GR)"); gets(infn); strcpy(infn1,infn); } else {strcpy(infn,argv[1]); strcpy(infn1,infn);} strcat(infn,".GR"); if(argc>2)gm=atoi(argv[2]); setvmode(gm); fd=open(infn,O_BINARY); /* where=bread(infn,0,1,buf); */ mptr=157; if (!fd) {printf("Can't open %s",infn); setvmode(2);exit(0);} read(fd,buf,382); for(rctr=0;rctr<5;rctr++) for(cctr=0;cctr<5;cctr++) for(ccc=0;ccc<8;ccc++) { pval=buf[mptr++]; shwpic(); } sati(); /* save as TI-Artist Instance */ /* poke (0xb800,0,255); for (pval=0;pval<81;pval++)poke(0xb800,pval,255); */ /* while(!kbhit()); */ /* wait for keypress */ setvmode(2); exit(0); } shwpic() { int lctr,ltemp,ltemp1,one; one=1; for(lctr=7;lctr>=0;lctr=lctr-1) { if(lctr)ltemp1=one<<lctr; else ltemp1=1; pen_color(15); if(pval>=ltemp1) setpixel(cctr*8+ccc,rctr*8+(7-lctr)); pval=pval%ltemp1; } return; } sati() { int rctr,cctr,ctr,res; strcat(infn1,".I"); fd1=fopen(infn1,"w"); fprintf(fd1,"5,5\n"); for(rctr=0;rctr<=4;rctr++) for(cctr=0;cctr<=4;cctr++) { for(ctr=0;ctr<=7;ctr++) {res=peekb(0xb800,(rctr*8+ctr)*40+cctr); /* res=255; */ if( ((ctr)) & 1) res=peekb(0xba00,(rctr*8+ctr-1)*40+cctr); fprintf(fd1,"%d",res); if(ctr<7)fprintf(fd1,",");} fprintf(fd1,"\n"); } fclose(fd1); /* pokeb(0xb800,0,255); pokeb(0xb800,5,255); pokeb(0xb800,80*20,255); pokeb(0xb800,80*20+5,255); */ return; }

One thing I learned from some training videos is that accessing a GitHub repository via https://github1s.com/rstropek/htl-leo-csharp-4/tree/master/exercises/0070-aad-api/api (using github1s instead of github) will open the code in Visual Studio code instead of the default https://github.com/rstropek/htl-leo-csharp-4/tree/master/exercises/0070-aad-api/api view. That's pretty cool for searching code samples

I thought that I had sold/given away all of my TI documentation at a Chicago Faire a couple years back, but I recently found some more items in binders. If someone would like to pay for postage, I can send them out (US only, please). The box weighs about 7 pounds. I think it will all fit in a USPS Priority Mail 2-Day™ Medium Flat Rate Box. I would like to send all of the items to a single address, so please PM me if you would like these items as one set and willing to send me a letter with funds to cover shipping (they would ship from ZIP code 71105). I hate to put these items in recycling (since I am sure all are scanned & archived by now) but I know that some people like to have the vintage items. Thanks, Jeff TI-related documentation (some are incomplete/missing pages) K Power, The Magazine for the Computer Generation - Scholastic - June 1984, July/Aug 1984, Sept/Oct 1984, Nov/Dec 1984 Popular Science magazine May 1980- TI-99/4 review CGS-II Instruction sheet - Cartridge/Cassette Storage holder Quantum ProDrive - SCSI Interface hardware installation manual Tex Comp catalog - 1986 (some pages barely legible) Compounding Routines for the TMS32010 - Digital Signal Processing Application Report - TI SPRA001 TMS32020 Digital Signal Processor Programmable Products - March 1985 Advance Information Peripheral Expansion System Model No. PHP1200 Manual- TI 1039343-1 Memory Expansion Card - Model No. PHP1260 Manual- TI 1039344-1 Disk Memory System Model No. PHP1240 Manual - TI 1039345-2 Disk Memory Drive Model No. PHP1250 Manual - TI 1039353-1 T and J Software is pleased to announce the following program for the TI-99/4A and Geneve 9640 announcement - Hardback, The Bugger, DiskAssembler Ver.2 Generic SCSI Installation Instructions Mid/America Cursor Vol 5 - No 4 - April 1987, pages 3-4 and 7-8 Mid-America 99 Cursor Feb-Mar 1988, Jan 1988, Jul-Aug 1987, Vol 5-No4, Apri 1987 SCSI Hard and Floppy Disk Controller Card - Western horizon Technologies - Hardware Installation Manual Rev “E” Northeast Iowa Home Computer User’s Group for Owners and users of the TI Home Computer - Newsletter #24? May 19, 1985, newsletter #22? Mar 24, 1985, #21 Feb 24, 1985, #20? Jan 27, 1985, #25? Jun 23, 1985, #28 Sep 22, 1985, # 30 Nov 24, 1985, #32 Feb 23, 1986, #26? Jul 28, 1985, #28 Sep 22, 1985, #29 Oct 27, 1985, #7 Jul 24, 1983 Northeast Iowa Computer Group Library Update #2 Jul 20 1984 Northeast Iowa User Group Disk Library Last Update 9/4/1985 Computer prices in 1983 (as taken from Radio-Electronics, October, 1983) printout KC 99’er Special Edition - "Bought a TI Now in a Corner?" special edition KC 99’er Connection - Vol 6 issue 8 99er Output - Vol 7 No 2 Brazos Valley 99ers Jan & Mar 1990 Dallas TI Home Computer User Group Flyer - march 23, 1990 TELCO Terminal Emulator Version 2.3 (c) 1988 Charles Earl - Reference Manual Tigercub Software Catalog #8 Error codes for MyBasic reference sheets Various magazine TI computer advertisements 99’er Home Computer Magazine Oct 1983 “PicoProcessor A 4-bit Micro Emulator” photocopy ASPIC (Amateur’s Special Purpose Instructional Code” user instructions MYARC Advanced Basic manual, page 236 only TI Audio Cassette Recorder Information - 1037193-5 Addendum Power Transformer fo the Ti-99/4a Computer - 1049701-1 Addendum - Information - 1039053-4 Get Personal With your TI-99 book, William A. Manning, Lon Ingalsbe Texas Instruments Program Recorder pamphlet - 1049724-1

A couple years ago I took an untested TI-99/4 and matching monitor and power and video cables to a Chicago Faire. They had been in storage for many years- untested for about 10 years. I don't think anyone asked to test them at the Faire. I think I got $20 or $30 for the /4 and had a heck of a time giving away the monitor, but towards the end of the Faire someone offered to take it off my hands. After the Faire, I think I scrapped 2 non working TI monochrome monitors that I had as Hazmat turn in. My 2 cents. Good luck, Jeff

I bought that Geneve new (I remember saving and debating whether I should plunk down the money. It was a lot of money for me at the time). I think I hand-carried it to Cecure (somewhere near Chicago, I think) to get it modified. I met with Don Walden and said that this computer was my baby. I don't remember if all of the mods were done at the same time. I can't find my paperwork from Cecure. I was hoping to find it in advance of the show, to take with me. I hope it works well for you (as well as all of the other equipment that others picked up). Thanks for all of the help from you (and everyone else) while I was at the Faire (and the very interesting demos). I had a great time. I had forgotten how much fun the computer shows are to attend. It was great to see people that I haven't met in person in about 20 years, as well as meet many new people.

Exactly where and when will the Chicago area TI-FAIRE be this year? The links I found online are to past years. The YahooGroup said same as last year, but I am not familiar with the faire at all. I am planning on attending this year. I haven't been to a TI show in about 20 years, so it should be interesting. Specifically, I am interested in the Saturday schedule and how much a table/booth will cost (and how I would pay for it). I am cleaning house and I will try to bring as much hardware and documentation as I can to this event. All of the equipment has been in storage for many years, so powering it on the show will be interesting. Thanks for any info. Maybe I was just looking in the wrong places for the information.

Lurker for a while now making my first post on this forum... What do you wish he would have broken up to sell? Somewhere in storage, I have a TI-99/4 computer, monitor, and side car peripherals/disk drives like those pictured. In fact, minus the joystick & modules, it looks like my setup that I packed up many years ago. There's also an OSCAR bar code reader and some other things packed away. I tried to find my inventory list, but cannot right now. I also have one or two Geneve's that I put in a safe place, and need to find (I have been unable to find _any_ of my disk/tape TI/Geneve media in about 20 years). I don't have a PE box any more (or any room to set one up), so I'm not sure how to test anything but the computers & peripherals. Here's where I was trying to get guidance for my sidecar peripherals: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/TI99-4A/conversations/topics/32763 If/when I find my items, I would like to get them to good homes. I was hoping to be able to find my stuff and make it to the Chicago meet, but that was not to be. Jeff