1979 TI-99/4 Website

[Toucan]

Hey all, I just put up a website dedicated to the TI-99/4 (the one that came before the 99/4A). There is a lot of good info here and I even put up a video of the original Demonstration for the system. I figured it might be fun for people here to see the one that came before the 99/4A, since not many seem to know about it. Anyway, here's the link. Let me know how you like it:

 

1979 TI-99/4 Website

Edited September 22, 2007 by Toucan

[nathanallan]

I poked around a bit and it's pretty nice! I like the layout and the easy navigation of it. Good info, too, quite comprehensive. Now all you have to do is scan the books for those that have the console from a flea market and nothing else.

 

Nathan

Edited September 22, 2007 by nathanallan

[FND]

Hey all, I just put up a website dedicated to the TI-99/4 (the one that came before the 99/4A). There is a lot of good info here and I even put up a video of the original Demonstration for the system. I figured it might be fun for people here to see the one that came before the 99/4A, since not many seem to know about it. Anyway, here's the link. Let me know how you like it:

 

1979 TI-99/4 Website

 

 

Very nice site, I have added it to my Bookmarks.

 

BTW I have two of the original 13" TV's one is like new and came with Manual, original console TI-99/4, Cables, manuals,

Controllers and some expansion box's (Side mount style), cant remember off hand which expansion boxs were included,

will need to check again to be sure.

 

I did need to have the TV fixed (needed a replacement part to keep it from rolling) still have the original part

The other TV is rather trashed and does not work

 

It is a cool set up with the large dedicated TV and accessories, just dont have room to display it anymore

[SINGLE TOOTH]

don't know much about the TI's but nice site.

[Tursi]

From the site:

 

The RAM in the 99/4 is 256 bytes larger than the 99/4A

 

Where in the memory map does this extra 256 bytes fit? That's the first I'd heard of that.

 

The 99/4 emulation on Classic99 which does not include that extra RAM *appears* to work (when it starts), but I don't know how to use equation calculator well so it's tough to be certain. What programs are you aware of that work on the 99/4 but not the 99/4A? I can use them to figure out the memory difference. (I already had to reverse the keyboard layout since I've never got my hands on a real 99/4 ).

 

Very nice site, btw! The Demonstration module running is a pretty nice idea.

[FND]

From the site:

 

The RAM in the 99/4 is 256 bytes larger than the 99/4A

 

Where in the memory map does this extra 256 bytes fit? That's the first I'd heard of that.

 

The 99/4 emulation on Classic99 which does not include that extra RAM *appears* to work (when it starts), but I don't know how to use equation calculator well so it's tough to be certain. What programs are you aware of that work on the 99/4 but not the 99/4A? I can use them to figure out the memory difference. (I already had to reverse the keyboard layout since I've never got my hands on a real 99/4 ).

 

Very nice site, btw! The Demonstration module running is a pretty nice idea.

 

Since I have not turned mine on in quite some time I cant be sure but I believe there is a extra built in program in the

TI-99/4

 

Edit

After going back and reading more on your site I see its the Equation calculator I was thinking of

Edited September 23, 2007 by FND

[Toucan]

From the site:

 

The RAM in the 99/4 is 256 bytes larger than the 99/4A

 

Where in the memory map does this extra 256 bytes fit? That's the first I'd heard of that.

 

The 99/4 emulation on Classic99 which does not include that extra RAM *appears* to work (when it starts), but I don't know how to use equation calculator well so it's tough to be certain. What programs are you aware of that work on the 99/4 but not the 99/4A? I can use them to figure out the memory difference. (I already had to reverse the keyboard layout since I've never got my hands on a real 99/4 ).

 

Very nice site, btw! The Demonstration module running is a pretty nice idea.

 

 

I got this info from Dr. Charlie Good who wrote the article on the 99/4. He did some research on the 99/4 and I figured it must be true. I'll have to ask him about the RAM issue. Although, maybe it's not RAM afterall. Here's what the Doctor had to say:

 

"The TI-99/4 has 256 bytes more free memory in TI BASIC than the 4A, so some BASIC software written on a "4" may not work on an unexpanded 4A."

[Tursi]

"The TI-99/4 has 256 bytes more free memory in TI BASIC than the 4A, so some BASIC software written on a "4" may not work on an unexpanded 4A."

 

Ah, okay, that makes more sense. Free memory in TI BASIC is allocated out of the 16k VRAM, and the 99/4 BASIC has (slightly) fewer features than 99/4A, so having a little extra memory free makes sense to me.

 

Thanks for checking for me!

[darthkur]

That is a very nice and well done site. It's nice to have a source of consolidated information on this little known early computer.

[thomasholzer]

Very interesting, Gamevision (MB?) third party cartridges for TI-99/4 in 1979, this would make Activisions claim of being the first defunct.

[Toucan]

Very interesting, Gamevision (MB?) third party cartridges for TI-99/4 in 1979, this would make Activisions claim of being the first defunct.

 

I talked with a few of the programmers from Milton Bradley who programmed the games. It was interesting to hear from some of them, since they were hired to do board games but ended up doing TI games for Milton Bradley's Electronics division. The team that worked on the 99/4A games also did things for Simon and the like. The games were all programmed, manufactured, and sold by Milton Bradley. What was Activision's claim exactly?

[Inky]

So what exactly were the differences between the 99/4 and the 99/4a otehr than memory and keyboard?

[Toucan]

So what exactly were the differences between the 99/4 and the 99/4a otehr than memory and keyboard?

 

I was going to send you a list, but I guess it would be easier to look at the Overview section of the site. If you read the sections "What Exactly is a TI-99/4?" and "Fun Facts" that should answer your question more than you could have wanted

[Inky]

So what exactly were the differences between the 99/4 and the 99/4a otehr than memory and keyboard?

 

I was going to send you a list, but I guess it would be easier to look at the Overview section of the site. If you read the sections "What Exactly is a TI-99/4?" and "Fun Facts" that should answer your question more than you could have wanted

 

D'oh! I missed that on the site... I shall go back

[Prodos8]

Maybe if TI had put a full-stroke keyboard on this, instead of the chiclet typel it would have sold much better, thus givening TI a much needed foot-hold in the emerging market at that time.

 

My dad was a big TI fan and used to write programs for his TI-59 that he'd store on magnetic strips of plastic. But when this thing came out he pooh-poohed because of the keyboard and he wouldn't get an Atari 400 for the same reason. Eventually when the 99/4A came along he bought one, primarily because of the keyboard.