Insight into the TI-99/4A QI Model

[Insight into the TI-99/4A QI Model]

Yes you are correct Ksarul about the differences with the cartridge port. I try to be a TI 'purist' and not use any 3rd party cartridges 😁. I think Donkey Kong was one of the best Atarisoft ports, and games from Parker Brothers were good too!

 

All QI models have integrated the fix with alpha lock key, they were produced this way from the factory.

[Insight into the TI-99/4A QI Model]

Hello everyone! I scored a QI TI-99 on eBay recently - serial number 51336805, LTA 0584. As the market continues to evolve, these are becoming harder to find - took me nearly a year to find one! I have luckily found the copyright 1981 version (unlike the V2.2 1983 version with the 3rd party lockout). In addition, I have both beige cassette/joystick ports, and the orange power switch. As another member mentioned in a previous post, it appears only the last models to leave the factory have the orange power button - this includes the Control Data re-badged production run.

 

Improvements include:

1) Power Supply Improvement - Virtually silent! A standard 99/4A will exhibit a buzzing noise if you put your ear up to the power supply board area; on a QI, you hear nothing! In addition, the power supply runs much cooler - will increase efficiency and longevity - no more hand warmer!

2) Audio Output Improvement - due to the updated power supply, very little interference is introduced into the audio signal. No more whine or interference, which makes for a more pleasurable computing experience, especially at higher volume levels.

3) Alpha Lock Key Fixed - no longer do you have to have the release the alpha lock key up in order to get upward movement on the joysticks. Nice!

4) Motherboard Improvements - the number of integrated circuits (IC's) goes from 42 to 35. The design is made to be efficient and save costs.

5) Keyboard Metal Frame Mount - to keep dust/humidity away from the internal key connectors.

 

Overall a great machine and in my opinion, the BEST 99/4A's that left the factory!

[Did you get anything for your TI for Christmas?]

I got a surprise gift from eBay... a TI-99/4A Beige QI! I'd been looking for a QI for nearly one year, so I consider this lucky! I'll be posting separately about my thoughts and findings.

[Soundtrack Trolley (MBX)]

Looking for the original cartridge with the overlay. If anyone has it to sell, let me know thank you.

[High Score Competition (June: Road Hunter)]

I'd like to comment on Super Demon Attack, interesting how the topic has come up again (I was reading the posts from 2018). Here's some theories running through my head:

 

1) As for the bug with the boss at level 2 (can't shoot fast enough), I think the game was originally programmed to run at 50Hz, since you can defeat the boss onto level 3. The difference in display refresh rate must have something to do with the response time in firing. At 60Hz it's almost impossible to defeat. Some techniques I've tried is holding the Q (fire button on keyboard) along with fire button on joystick, or holding both fire buttons down on the joysticks.

 

2) If the theory is true that the game was programmed at 50Hz, it would make sense that the speech programmed in sounds British. In Britain, the standard used is PAL 50Hz. Why the speech was later removed remains uncertain. My theory on this is it may have been considered too offensive for young children and TI decided to remove it. Another reason they made a last ditch attempt thinking if they removed the speech components it would speed up the game so you could defeat the boss on level 2. Regardless, I think the speech should have been kept, it adds a nice dimension to the gameplay. All of the other Imagic games include speech.

[Parsec Asteroid Misspelling]

I did some research, the only mention of the misspelling I could find is on Wikipedia. I wonder if anyone owns a cartridge with the correct spelling? You'd think TI would've noticed this shortly after release, but best I can tell all cartridges have the bug.

 

 

[Parsec Asteroid Misspelling]

Many of us are aware of the misspelling of Asteroid in Parsec (as "Asteriod"). Question for the group: does anyone own a cartridge in which the misspelling is corrected? I have 3 cartridges, one black w/purple label, black w/red label, beige w/red label... all of them exhibit the misspelling.

[Alpiner: The Skunk & "P. U."]

Interesting, the P. U. isn't listed as a phrase. From what I can remember, it was either 1) how to approached the skunk (from the front or back end) and/or 2) it was programmed specifically in one cartridge and not others. I wonder if this was programmed initially in some of the earliest cartridge releases, then later omitted for it being considered offensive? I'm almost certain I've heard the speech phrase in person (although 37 years ago!)

[Alpiner: The Skunk & "P. U."]

Playing Alpiner recently brought me back to my elementary school days. Our school had many TI's, used primarily for educational purposes. I remember my teacher commenting to me once about the skunk; he told me if you approach it a certain way, the speech synthesizer would say "P. U.!" (slang for something stinky). I haven't had any luck duplicating this, but is anyone familiar with this on how this could be done? I'm curious!

[Demon Attack cart (with speech)]

Any audio samples or gameplay footage? Would be awesome to hear or see it!