TI-99 Photos Thread! Post your systems here!

[+Schmitzi]

This here is the same in high quality (iPhone 4S)

 

But I never post the good quality here (or very seldom), because if you then click a pic it opens and does not fit in the window,

and you have to fiddle and fiddle and scroll left/right and fiddle and scroll up/down and fiddle and scroll to watch it.....

..but maybe I am doing something wrong.

 

 

 

[Omega-TI]

 

..but maybe I am doing something wrong.

 

 

No, you are not doing anything wrong, it depends on the screen resolution you are running on a specific device. Phones & tablets usually run smaller screen resolutions than desktop boxes.

[+Schmitzi]

uuh 1600x900 on my big laptop

[Omega-TI]

uuh 1600x900 on my big laptop

 

Same here, I'm running two 1600 X 900's in a dual screen arrangement. It comes in kind of handy when you have to get work done, but want to monitor Atari Age at the same time.

[+Schmitzi]

yes, something like that

 

 

[Omega-TI]

^^^^

Ooooh, I wish! That's really nice!

I would love to have all those monitors, unfortunately, my system is quite modest.

 

[+Ksarul]

I see you found another new book there, Schmitzi! I hadn't seen that Dutch book before. . .

[+Schmitzi]

yes, it came with the tape. "same" title

[+Schmitzi]

.

I,ve checked the book, it is NOT about or with the TI-99er. It´s "neutral"

 

Not sure, but maybe this here is ?

 

 

 

 

 

[+Ksarul]

That one looks neutral too--but most of the programs in those neutral BASIC books will run on the TI with minor changes, so they're all good.

[Flottmann1]

here Pictures from my TI Gramcard (but do not get a program to run)

 

Edited April 5, 2016 by Flottmann1

[+Schmitzi]

.

very nice part

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Every now and then someone asks me about Myarc Geneve and HFDC cards and whether there were/are any left for sale.

 

When Cecure bought the remaining stock in the 90s, the 'good' cards were used to fill orders and/or repairs. Some were swapped out at no cost to the customer as good-will gestures on behalf of Myarc. 'Bad' cards with internal shorts, missing traces, missing solder pads, etc. etc. were slowly repaired as we spent hours fixing (or trying to fix). The most common problem? solder bridges between poorly masked traces. Finding them made searching for Waldo an easy feat.

 

Today I was looking for my SAMS card and in the process, had to pull out the last few Myarc cards that never made it through the door. I figured I'd share a picture of these remaining cards.

 

 

 

 

[RickyDean]

Every now and then someone asks me about Myarc Geneve and HFDC cards and whether there were/are any left for sale.

 

When Cecure bought the remaining stock in the 90s, the 'good' cards were used to fill orders and/or repairs. Some were swapped out at no cost to the customer as good-will gestures on behalf of Myarc. 'Bad' cards with internal shorts, missing traces, missing solder pads, etc. etc. were slowly repaired as we spent hours fixing (or trying to fix). The most common problem? solder bridges between poorly masked traces. Finding them made searching for Waldo an easy feat.

 

Today I was looking for my SAMS card and in the process, had to pull out the last few Myarc cards that never made it through the door. I figured I'd share a picture of these remaining cards.

 

IMG_0253.JPG

 

 

 

Whatcha goin to do with them

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Whatcha goin to do with them

The Geneve cards are close to being cannibalized for parts as some have shorts in the internal layer. But like a dog with an old bone, I chew on them periodically.

[+Ksarul]

Nice pictures of the TI GRAM Card, @Flottmann1. You have one of only four surviving copies of that card in existence. If I remember correctly, there was a special loader for it--but the GRAM files used the same format as the TI GSIM did (and the loader may even be the same as (or a variant of) the GSIM loader).

[+Schmitzi]

 

[Flottmann1]

here the Modulloader (TMS 2532 Eprom) from the Cartridge

TI_GRAMCARD.bin

Edited April 6, 2016 by Flottmann1

[Vorticon]

 

 

Vectrexroli is a new user on here since last month, I'd be interested in getting hold of his homebrew games to put in Gamebase.

 

Most are on the TI Gameshelf site.

[OX.]

 

Most are on the TI Gameshelf site.

 

Lol, what happened here? Roli's stuff went in the last Gamebase.

[Vorticon]

 

Lol, what happened here? Roli's stuff went in the last Gamebase.

 

Ooops. I think I accidentally replied to an early message

[globeron]

here the Modulloader (TMS 2532 Eprom) from the Cartridge

 

Not sure if this helps to get your Modul Simulator to work (I used to have a GRAM-Card, but without the external module, it was only a card in the box)

 

I attach some disks, maybe it helps to get programs loaded, but it looks in your video of Sneggit that the name is not shown correctly once loaded?

Like Ksarul mention, the headers can be different,

 

On the GRAM disk is a file called: *HEADERS (Eric Paul Rebel (E.P. Rebel) of the Dutch TI GG, explaining all these headers")

for ease, I pasted this file below to see all the headers.

 

On the disks you can find many loaders (I put that time something together to load the normal GRAM files, but first using a GCLOAD

so that it understands the format, there is a manual on the disks in ....Dutch, but also one in English), but I need to have the card to remember

how it all works (over 2 weeks I am in The Netherlands and can check)

 

I used these abbreviations, GM = GraMulator, GK = Gram Kracker, GC = Gram Card, MS = Module Simulator

but E.P. Rebels list is more complete.

 

GRAM-Disks.zip

 

*************************

* PROGRAM FILE FORMATS *

*************************

* E.P. REBEL 21-01-1987 *

*************************

 

========================================

GRAM KARTE (Mechatronic, West-Duitsland)

========================================

 

Header : 6 bytes.

Data : max >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

------------------------------------------------------

byte 0-1 : Vlag - >A5A5:GROM file.

>5A5A:ROM file.

byte 2-3 : Voor GROM: laad adres.

Voor ROM : bank access adres.

byte 4-5 : Lengte van data.

byte 6+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >A5A5 >6000 >1800 - GROM >6000 (6k)

>5A5A >6000 >2000 - ROM >6000 (8k)

>5A5A >6002 >1000 - ROM >7000 bank 2 (4k)

>5A5A >6004 >1000 - ROM >7000 bank 3 (4k)

 

Opmerking: Laad gegevens staan in een DIS/VAR 80 file.

Iedere regel bavat device+file naam.

Eventueel gevolgd door GRMRD adres.

Afsluiting met een lege regel.

 

===================================

GRAM KRACKER (Millers Graphics-USA)

===================================

 

Header : 6 bytes.

Data : max >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

---------------------------------------------------------------------

byte 0 : Vlag - >00: Dit is de laatste file.

>80: Er volgt een memory image file.

>FF: Er volgen meer files.

byte 1 : GRAM/RAM aanduiding - >00: Laatste memory image file.

- >01: GRAM 0 file (>0000).

- >02: GRAM 1 file (>2000).

- >03: GRAM 2 file (>4000).

- >04: GRAM 3 file (>6000).

- >05: GRAM 4 file (>8000).

- >06: GRAM 5 file (>A000).

- >07: GRAM 6 file (>C000).

- >08: GRAM 7 file (>E000).

- >09: RAM bank 0 file (>6000).

- >0A: RAM bank 2 file (>6000).

- >FF: Er volgt memory image file.

byte 2-3 : Lengte van data.

byte 4-5 : Laad adres (bij eerste memory image file ook start adres).

byte 6+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >FF09 >2000 >6000 - ROM >6000 (8k) bank 0

>FF05 >2000 >8000 - GROM >8000 (8k)

>8004 >2000 >8000 - GROM >8000 (8k)

>0000 >2000 >A000 - RAM >A000 (8k)

 

Opmerking: Laad gegevens volgt uit vlag.

Laatste byte van file naam wordt steeds met >01 verhoogd.

Eerste file naam bevat teken minder zodat tweede file een

1 als achtervoegsel krijgt. Uitzondering bij file naam

lengte van 10 bytes.

..

===============================================

GRAM SIMULATOR (TI Gebruikers Groep, Nederland)

===============================================

 

Header : 1 byte.

Data : >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

----------------------------

byte 0 : Diverse gegevens.

byte 1+ : Data.

 

Header opbouw:

------------------------------------------

bit 0 : Vlag - 1: Er volgen meer files.

0: Dit is laatste file.

bit 1 : Vlag - 1: GROM file.

0: ROM file.

bit 2-4 : Rom bank.

bit 5-7 : Grom bank.

 

Voorbeeld: C3 - GROM >6000 (eerste file)

C4 - GROM >8000 (tweede file)

88 - ROM >6000 (derde file)

10 - ROM bank 2 (laatste file)

 

C3 - GROM >6000 (eerste file)

44 - GROM >8000 (laatste file)

 

C3 - GROM >6000 (eerste file)

08 - ROM >6000 (laatste file)

 

===============================================

MODULE SIMULATOR (Texas Instruments, Nederland)

===============================================

 

Header : 10 bytes.

Data : max >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

-----------------------------------------------------------------

byte 0-3 : Vlag - >424D >4D57.

byte 4-5 : GRMWA (grom write address).

byte 6-7 : Laad adres.

byte 8-9 : Lengte van data.

byte A+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >424D >4D57 >9C02 >6000 >1800 - GROM >6000 (6k)

>424D >4D57 >9C0A >F000 >2000 - ROM >6000 (8k)

>424D >4D57 >9C0A >1000 >1000 - PAGE 1 (4k)

>424D >4D57 >9C0A >2000 >1000 - PAGE 2 (4k)

 

Opmerking: Laad gegevens staan in een PROGRAM file.

Deze heet altijd DSK1.CATALOG (lengte is >01FF bytes).

Opbouw : 14 bytes - herkenningsnaam (ascii).

28 bytes - filenamen (lengte byte vooraf).

Afsluiting met >00.

Herhaling bij meerdere modules.

Afsluiting met >0000.

Voorbeeld: 'EXBAS MODIFIED'

>02 'G3' >02 'G4' >02 'G5' >02 'G6'

>02 'R0' >02 'P1' >00

>00 >0000 >0000 >0000 >0000

'NEXT MODULE ' ....

..

===========================================

MEMORY IMAGE E/A MODULE (Texas Instruments)

===========================================

 

Header : 6 bytes.

Data : max >1FF6 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

byte 0-1 : Vlag - >FFFF: Er volgen meer files.

- >0000: Dit is laatste file.

byte 2-3 : Lengte totale file (header+data).

byte 4-5 : Laad adres (Bij eerste file ook start adres).

byte 6+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >FFFF >2000 >A000 - RAM >A000 (eerste file)

>0000 >0B84 >BFFA - RAM >BFFA (tweede file)

 

Opmerking: Laad gegevens volgt uit vlag.

Laatste byte van file naam wordt steeds met >01 verhoogd.

 

==========================================

RAM MODULE HANDLER (E.P. Rebel, Nederland)

==========================================

 

Header : 6 bytes.

Data : max >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

---------------------------------------------

byte 0-1 : Vlag - >0000: Er is maar een file.

byte 2-3 : Lengte totale file (header+data).

byte 4-5 : Laad adres.

byte 6+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >0000 >2006 >6000 - ROM >6000 (8k)

>0000 >1006 >6000 - ROM >6000 (4k)

 

=======================================

DSR RAM HANDLER (E.P. Rebel, Nederland)

=======================================

 

Header : 6 bytes.

Data : max >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

-------------------------------------------------------

byte 0-1 : Cru base adres of CRU bank switch adres.

byte 2-3 : Lengte van totale file (header+data).

byte 4-5 : Laad adres.

byte 6+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >1600 >2006 >4000 - DSRROM CRU >1600 (8k)

>1102 >1006 >5000 - CORCOMP DSRROM bank (4k)

..

===========================

EASYBUG (Texas Instruments)

===========================

 

Header : 4 bytes.

Data : max >2000 bytes.

 

File opbouw:

---------------------------

byte 0-1 : Laad adres.

byte 2-3 : Lengte van data.

byte 4+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld: >7000 >1000 - RAM >7000 (4k)

>2000 >2000 - RAM >2000 (8k)

 

=========================

BASIC (Texas Instruments)

=========================

 

Header : 8 bytes.

Data :

 

File opbouw:

------------------------------------------------------

byte 0-1 : Check flag - XOR van volgende twee waarden.

Bij protectie 2's complement waarde.

byte 2-3 : Inhoud van >8332 tijdens SAVEn.

byte 4-5 : Inhoud van >8330 tijdens SAVEn.

byte 6-7 : Inhoud van >8370 tijdens SAVEn.

 

Voorbeeld: >01F7 >2F41 >2EB6 >37D7

>FE61 >259D >2402 >37D7

 

Opmerking: Lengte is te bepalen met de formule:

(*>8370)-(*>8330)+(9)

 

=======================================================

EXTENDED BASIC (INT/VAR 254 FORMAT) (Texas Instruments)

=======================================================

 

Header : 10 bytes (eerste record).

Data : volgende records.

 

Header opbouw:

----------------------------------------------------

byte 0-1 : Vlag ->ABCD.

byte 2-3 : Inhoud van >8332 tijdens SAVEn.

byte 4-5 : Inhoud van >8330 tijdens SAVEn.

byte 6-7 : Check flag - XOR van vorige twee waarden.

Bij protectie 2's complement waarde.

byte 8-9 : Inhoud van >8370 tijdens SAVEn.

 

Voorbeeld: >ABCD >BA1B >BE7A >0461 >FFE7

 

Opmerking: Lengte is te bepalen met de formule:

(*>8370)-(*>8330)+(9)

..

=====================================

LOGO (PROCEDURES) (Texas Instruments)

=====================================

 

Header : 4 bytes.

Data :

 

File opbouw:

------------

byte 0-1 : >0000.

byte 2-3 : Lengte van data.

byte 4+ : Data.

 

Voorbeeld:

 

Opmerking: Filenaam wordt vooraf gegaan door 'P_'

 

===========================================

LOGO (VORMEN EN HOKJES) (Texas Instruments)

===========================================

 

Data : >0C00 bytes.

 

Data opbouw:

---------------------------------------

>0000-

>03FF : Vormen definities (sprites).

>0400-

>0BFF : Hokjes definities (chars).

 

Opmerking: Filenaam wordt vooraf gegaan door 'S_'

 

================================

LOGO (ALLES) (Texas Instruments)

================================

 

Data : >0C1F bytes.

Header : 4 bytes.

Data :

 

File opbouw:

---------------------------------------

>0000-

>03FF : Vormen definities (sprites).

>0400-

>0BFF : Hokjes definities (chars).

>0C00-

>0C21 : Gevuld met >0000.

>0C22-

>0C23 : Lengte van volgende data.

>0C24+ : Data.

 

Opmerking: Filenaam wordt vooraf gegaan door 'A_'

.A...

......................

[Flottmann1]

Hi thankx,

 

 

I rather think the card depends, the red LED in Front of the Card never goes out

here another Video with Burgertime any Disks which I noticed at that time, it loads and then nothing

when I load Anteater and Driving it shows nothing ...

if I turn off the TI, the red LED continues to burn
After turn On again takes the program entry must be deleted, about it is still there Burger Time

 

BUGERTIM.DSK

MS-GRAM.DSK

JAWBREAK.DSK

DRIVING.DSK

ANTEATER.DSK

Edited April 8, 2016 by Flottmann1

[+Schmitzi]

...maybe you generate an own thread for the GRAM-card ?

[LASooner]

Well I'm new around here, but I wanted to show off my newly acquired TI system. Growing up less than wealthy, I had a white 99/4a my father purchased for me when they were $50, I didn't get a program recorder until a year later. So all my programs were saved by me writing them down and typing them in when I needed them. My goal in life was to create the best video game in the world. This is a little tough to do when you have to share your "monitor" with the rest of the family as it also happens to be the only TV in the house. Often I would carefully type in programs blind while family members watched TV, and I would quickly flip the switch on the RF modulator to check for errors. Then I would wait for everyone to go to bed so I could run them or debug them. It was a glorious day when I finally got my own little 12" b/w TV. I never had a floppy drive or an RS232 or a PEB. So now that I'm older and don't have the financial constraints I did as a 12 year old. I purchased everything I could find in as good condition as possible. I got one of those NOS PEB's off Ebay, and got a good deal on a NOS floppy drive. Got the 32k memory, floppy controller, RS232 card and of course a speech synthesizer which is pretty cool for what it does when it was doing it.

 

 

 

I think it's in great condition all the way around. The 10" color monitor is a little beat up, but for the most part sans the modem coupler, it looks like the system I lusted after on the back of my TI box. I of course got the fantastic XB 2.7 Suite, and the computer I got on Ebay came with the standards, Tombstone City, Amazing, TI Invader, Donkey Kong, Pole Position, Alpiner. Growing up I only had Tombstone City and Amazing. Everything else I programmed. Unfortunately I can't find any cassettes. I find it awesome and amazing that you can just play back wav files of programs and load it straight on to the hardware. Here you see it has a place of honor in my little retro corner with a bunch of other old ladies.

 

 

I'm trying to reacquaint myself with quirks of the TI I had forgotten about, and learning my way around the hardware new to me. I'd like to get my hands into Forth when I can find the time. I've already played with Magellan quite a bit and transferred the output to the real hardware in Extended Basic. Since as my career has progressed I've moved toward the art side of things than the code side. Which brings me to my last photo. I was only able to find 1 program I wrote as a kid, and it was because it wasn't on tape, it was scrawled on graph paper, so I typed it in and found what is amazingly my very first step I chose to take on my career in computer art.

 

 

 

 

It was the very first CG image I ever created in May of 1984 for my Grandfather's birthday, I programmed it in, in the morning and left the computer on until he showed up for his birthday dinner. This is the program running on my new TI, next to a picture of me at age 12 with grandpa next to the family TV taken on a Polaroid. My grandfather passed away in the 90's, but his birthday gift lives on in code. My mother gave me the Polaroid when I was nominated for a visual effects Emmy in 2002. And while I never programmed the greatest video game, I'm the a senior artist at Activision/Treyarch and have worked on 4 Call of Duty games, including the 3 Black Ops games. The original Call of Duty:Black Ops held the world record in 2010 as the best selling video game of all time. And it all started for me in that photo of a fat kid with burrito stains on his shirt.

My inner 12 year old is pretty happy.

Edited April 12, 2016 by LASooner