twoodland

Ooo Extended BASIC 2.7 Suite Cart... drool.... DOH! Out of stock on arcadeshopper... must have patience...

AWESOME! Thank you Lee!!

I have just seen a cool YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvWSpTg8oA4) by "n1jbq" published 5/21/14 of a TI99 singing the 1892 song "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two)" composed by Harry Dacre. In 1961, physicist John Larry Kelly Jr and his colleague Louis Gerstman used an IBM 704 at Bell Labs to demonstrate their voice recorder synthesizer. Arthur C Clarke witnessed this speech demonstration and referenced it in his 1968 novel and film "2001: A Space Odyssey". I am sure everyone remembers the HAL 9000 singing this while being deactivated. The TI-99/4A being my first computer, and it having the Speech Synthesizer and the game Parsec, made it sure seem like the HAL 9000 to me! Therefore, I would like to obtain a copy of the program from the video, and to ask your help in locating it. The video's description mentions floppy disk from the 1980's distributed by the Boston Computer Society TI-99/4A User Group. The disk can also be seen 0:11 seconds in the video. The disk is labled "Public Domain Disk #73 - TI-Sings". In the comments Stephen Hoffmann posts that he remembered typing that particular program from what he belived was from a TI-99er magazine. Would anyone here have a copy of the disk and/or know the reference to the magazine article? I would love to hear my TI sing this particular song. Thank you in advance, TWoodland

Please allow me to participate if you do this again. Regards, TWoodland

Thank you Omega! I did have it packed away with care! Unfortunately, something happened to the VDP TMS9918A over the years and I had to replace it to get it functional. A blessing in disguise because the thermal compound had gotten old and hardened. It now has new arctic silver compound and is ready and willing! I am just as excited to get it running again as when I first got it. In looking at other system pictures in this topic, I see that I am not the only one who has taken great care with their systems. Very cool to see all of the systems including options that I have only dreamed of having! Plus, seeing the work spaces and modifications are inspiring as well! Regards, TWoodland

Thank you so much Omega. This is exactly what I was looking for. I did not know that there were different versions of the 32K sidecar. I purchased mine from "The Brewing Academy" (http://thebrewingacademy.com) and it is Jedimatt42's version (green PCB version in a nice black 3D printed case, not the silver and black one that I found recently which I may upgrade to) At this time, both the FG99 and TIPI are out of stock on ArcadeShopper. I am definitely wanting the TIPI, so I am planning on getting that when it is back in stock. Based upon that, is it still beneficial to also have the FG99 or does the TIPI offer the same capability? Thank you again for your speedy and valuable response. TWoodland

Hello everyone, Now that I have my system functional again, I have been like a child searching through the toy catalogs trying to make a list for Christmas! There is so much information to sift through, and not being a seasoned 99’er, I am confused as how best to equip my system. I have searched through similar posts which are quite helpful, however, development of new and upgraded products (which is great) and my ignorance of how they work, are hindering me from deciding what to do. My System Hardware: Black and Chrome Console w/Speech Synth (w/power jumper mod), Jedimatt42 32K Sidecar, Program Recorder and TI Joysticks (non-working (mylar contact sheets need conductive paint repair) System Upgrade Goals: To share programs from a central location that I am working on (mainly ex basic) between my console and using an emulator on my Win10 PC. To utilize the software available on this site (cartridge roms/groms, dsk’s, tapes, etc) on my console. To get my console online to connect to BBS’s, chat, email, and online games (such as TIPI chess). What I am sure I need: Your help! What I am thinking I need: TIPI Setup F18A MK2 Extended Basic 2.7 Suite Cartridge 4A DOS Cartridge (Automate the TIPI startup) What I am unsure about but thinking I may need: FinalGROM99 (Does this supersede the FlashROM 99?, Do you need both?, Do I need this if I have a TIPI?) Stuart’s TI-99/4A – Internet Web Browser Cartridge V9.2 (Do I need this if I have a TIPI?) Which Extended Basic Cartridge? (Extended Basic 2.7 Suite, Extended Basic 3 in 1 – Contains Ti XB, XB2.7 and RXB2015, Extended Basic Fun – Contains XB2.7, XB256, and XB w/The missing link, Cortex Basic) 512K Utilities multi-cart cartridge (This is included in the Extended Basic 2.7 Suite Cartridge but not in the other versions of the XB2.7 cartridges?) I appreciate that there are so many options to configure your system based upon each person’s interests, wants, needs and goals. There is not a one size fits all configuration. For me, I know that I am very excited to get a TIPI and need help so that I do not overlook options and/or add redundant upgrades. Thank you in advance for your time and feedback. TWoodland

The program recorder has a 6V DC power jack input left of the ear/spk jack. This may eliminate the hum that you are hearing without having to use batteries. The only thing is, I can't recall if the center post is positive or negative... (The manual does not refer to this power input at all).

It's ALIVE! My TI-99/4A console is setup and working after thirty years! A big thank you to Dragonstomper for the helpful suggestions to get it working! It is such a pleasure to introduce my son to my first computer console and to play TOD with him. He was intrigued by the cassette.

Thank you Shift838! Happy to be here and looking forward to TI-ing again!

Thank you so much OmegaTI! I am so glad that I saw your videos. I apologize for being a lurker and not subscribing or liking them. I have corrected that now. I am so excited to get my console working again. Once it is working, I am going to upgrade it with JediMatt42's 32K Sidecar, TIPI (both with black and silver cases), along with Matthew180's F18A MK2 when the licensing is resolved and becomes available. I was also wanting to get Ralph Benzinger's Finalgrom99 when it comes back in stock on Arcadeshopper. I am unsure if I would need it if I get the TIPI setup though. I digress. It is great to hear from you and I am glad you have pointed me to this community! Take care, Tim

Danke sehr aufmerksam wolhess. That is encouraging to hear! Thank you so much Dragonstomper. I appreciate the guidance. I will start with the VDP, clean the socketed chip pins and check the RAM voltage before unsoldering anything. I will look for a source for the MEM6810 RAMs. I will also be very careful with the keyboard and keyboard ribbon cableCiro. Grazie di cuore Ciro. That is great to hear.

Good afternoon, I just wanted to introduce myself and to thank everyone for being a part of this wonderful active community of TI-99/4A users and developers. My name is Tim and I just dug out my console after it having been in storage for over 35 years. It was my first home computer. My older brother bought it as a present for me. I had been wanting a computer for several years since seeing the TRS-80 in Radio Shack catalogs and was elated to receive it for Christmas in 1982. It was a great addition to my TI collection (Spirit of 76 calc, Little Professor, and Speak & Spell). I spent many joyful nights playing games, hand jamming programs and writing programs of my own. In 1986, I got a job as a CAD/CAM systems engineer and soon the TI was neglected. It always followed me whenever I moved but never made it out of storage till last week when I stumbled upon Omega's TIPI YouTube video. After watching that I was hooked and inspired to clean the cobwebs off my console and get it setup and running. After un-boxing it, cleaning it, and checking it out a bit (power adapter and supply voltages, re-seating socketed chips, new arctic silver thermal compound) , I decided to plug everything in and power it up. Doh! the console powered on but gave me the dreaded black screen, continuous tone error! I am now waiting on my shipment of TMS4116-15NL RAM IC's, 16 Pin Dip IC Sockets and a TMS9918ANL VDP. Hopefully this will breathe some life into it and allow me relive part of my youth again! Again I would like to thank this community for not just keeping the TI-99 alive and well, but for all of the new developments, modifications and upgrades! I hope to join you soon in communicating, learning, using, and contributing to this group. Warm regards, Tim