jdgabbard

arcadeshopper, How did this turn out?

Post pictures when you get it done. I want to see the quality of the print on other peoples machines. Also, what type of machine you printed it on if you dont mind.

Thats another option... it looks like the CF adapter has a female end on it. It might be as easy as desoldering it and soldering on a 90* header. Wouldnt be difficult...

Yeah, I agree. You should be able to just get a 90* adapter. At that point it is just matching the size characteristics. I'll try to put together a list of dimensions that I would need to design one. But I'll need accurate measurements down to the 0.5mm. Do you have a Micrometer?

Does that CF adapter come off? It looks like it might be soldered on, but I really can't tell as the pictures are tiny. If it comes off, it should be easy enough to use a 90* adapter. And if so it should be easy to make a small side car for it. I'd probably need to have one in my hands to really see what could be done. It's hard to assume given just pictures. But it looks as though it suffers from the same problem the NanoPEB V1 does, that it doesn't have any mounting holes. The design wouldn't be entirely dissimilar. But again, it would probably benefit from doing away with the L-Shaped design. If nothing else, a ribbon cable should work.

I dont guess Im familiar with that version. Pictures maybe? If I had something to work with I might be able to do something with it...

Thanks man! I appreciate it. I added the vents and lettering on this one. It has indicators for On/Off, as well as the opening for the CF LEDs.

Ok, here is the final design. I've hosted the files on my website, feel free to download and use them however. Again, this is to be consider free for use. So if you want to print these and make them available on your store, feel free. Here is the link to the post on my blog with the download: 3D Printed Shell for the TI-99/4A NanoPEB

I just haven't been able to get the file uploaded. It's basically done at this point. I'll try to get the files posted in the next day or so.

Ok, that makes a lot more sense. I cant explain why the card acted the way it did with not mapping GROM 0, its very possible I just missed something. Whatever the case, I got it working. And the point about using E/A Complete to load the configuration tool makes a lot more sense than trying to enter the recovery mode. As for dropping the project, meh, its a decision you made. If it was due to criticism of the functions, I that those criticisms were without merit. I think you did a fine job at implementing it. The only thing really missing, unless Im unaware of the implementation, is writing to the Flash ROM from the tool itself. Which isnt a big deal, and could be handled in a separate tool if someone has the know how. I know it was discussed in the past. But I dont think it was ever developed. And that point is moot since we now have the newer carts available. Which I need to buy... The main reason I wanted to dig is this out was to get access to software I dont own the cart for. And so far it serves that purpose. Thanks for the responses though, it really helped me understanding the tool.

I dont leave things plugged in, I unplug after use. So thats probably why Im less paranoid.

Tursi, thanks for the response. I was using the recovery menu, yes. I was prettty sure I was doing it correctly. And did notice the menu showed E/A Complete was present on the boot menu after power off. But even when loading back into the recovery menu, the data still showed the previous data. Which in this particular case doesnt seem to be an issue (as it is some type of E/A GROM from the information in the viewer). But it the option to load EA was present. And selecting option 3 allows to switch to other GROMs, RXB2015 in my case. So I assumed there was a version of GROM present in the AVR code. I havent looked at your source, so it was just my best guess. One other issue I did notice, and thought I would ask about: I decided to move E/A to GROM 4-7 last night, due to the issue noted here, since GROMs 4-7 show the changed data. And placed RXB to 8-B. And unmapped 0-3. However on power up there were no options present except for TI Basic after power off. I confirmed this 3x times. However, if I entered recovery and turned GROM0 on (which shows the default data that never changes), I can power cycle and the options reappear. Note that this is without adding any data to GROM 0. So it apparently has a bug that doesnt look for GROMs unless GROM 0 is present. Not a big deal, since I know about it and can make sure there is something present. But could be a trap for the new guy playing with these older carts. Were you aware of this? Was it intentional?

I could, but would prefer to keep it intact. The 5v only input is a bonehead thing to do in my opinion. Especially with LDO regulators in small footprints out there, e.g. LM1117 and the likes.

I havent experienced any issues with heat, the Nano doesnt have much of a load, and there isnt any regulation on board (although, I wish there were). So heat should not be an issue. But I can add a few vents.

I just double checked Tursis video. And it does appear that he uses GROM 0-3. And it loads the data. So I do not think that is the issue here. But he is using Classic99, so maybe that was just for demonstration.

Thanks for the response, Lee. In the package that Tursi uploaded (I think in the .BIN Repository thread) it has a picture in the pack download that shows these GROMs loaded in the same base with GROM0-3. So Im wondering if that is simply in emulation... If that is the case, Im not sure why the UberGROM would even offer those options, as it seems like it would be more destructive than helpful. Since those are TTL devices, having two devices talking on the bus at the same time would be a bad idea.

Note on my setup, Im loading the files from a NanoPEB v1. Just in case anyone has questions about the file storage. Volumes were written with TI99DIR.

So, as some of you have noticed, Ive started posting again in the TI section... its because I bought a new house and have room for my TI gear now (sadly, it had been in storage). That said, Ive been going through my gear getting everything together. I had bought an early UberGROM, but had never set it up. It had just been in a box with several other 512K boards. So I decided to dust it off and get it going. I made sure I had a decent understanding of the software, then began trying to load up the GROM slots. But this is when I discovered a problem... When loading anything into the 1-2 slot of any base, it doesnt appear to load the data. Instead, it looks as though it is the internal UberGROM code. Last few pages seem to work. And ultimately, when reboote, the GROMs appear to function normally. But there is obviously some time of bug. Now I was using the original software that came on the UberGROM, originally purchased at ArcadeShopper. But thinking it was an issue with that version, I downloaded the file from Tursis website and reflashed the 1284p. However, when I booted it up, it appears to have the same issue. I made a short video to show the problem, link below. Again, it would appear that the GROMs work. However, I havent been able to fully test everything. Currently EA Complete, and RXB2015. The issue appears to be with the viewer not showing the data properly... Maybe Tursi or Karsul can weigh in.

This is so cool.

Thanks, I have changed it just a bit. Added a slot for the led indicators, modified the depth of the power switch shelf, added On/Off indicators for the switch, and added NanoPEB to the 45* angle. Need to make one more adjustment to the slot for indicators. And I think it will be done. Ill try to get pictures uploaded this evening. There does seem to be an issue with it having an open mesh. Mesh Mixer is not helping, as it claims an entire wall is a bit hole. Which is clearly not the case. It throws an error when I load it up into my printing software. But it self-fixes and prints without problem. So I think its ok. Greg, youre welcome to print it up for people if you like. I dont have any problems with that. Ill probably publish it on Thingiverse with a public license, as well as uploading the STL here. So, no issue with making a buck or two on it through your web store. I see this as a needed service to the community. So I dont care how people get their hands on it. I just want to make it available as another option.

Thanks, I hope to have it complete soon.

Wow, I'm impressed! Looks great!

So there are at least 2 cases for the NanoPEB that I have seen. One available on Thingiverse, which wasn't to my taste. The second sold by a member here. But I was looking for something I could print at home. And I decided to spin my own solution. I will be providing the STL files for the design so that anyone may print these at home, or through a service if they would like. I will NOT be providing a printing service for these cases. However, places such as 3dhubs.com could assist you, if you need it printed. But before I release the files, I thought I'd get some feed back. So I am looking for input. I decided to go without a door to the CF card. I didn't want it, as I rarely remove the card. And it's easy enough to take the case apart. I do plan on adding holes or a window for the LEDs, but have not done so yet. Still tossing the idea around a bit. I may add a location for a printed "tag" so that the user may customize it. I haven't decided yet. Let me know what you think....

Thanks, I must have missed it. I do that sometime.

Somewhat of a side question concerning the CF7/NanoPEB... Does anyone have a link for the PC software? I have a Nano v1, and Im looking for the utilities to manage the drives on a PC.