TI-99/4a Modification Weekend.

[Sinphaltimus]

I just created 2 albums in the gallery - Here's one for last week's modifications to my PEB.

http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/album/1752-ti-994-peb-multiple-modifications/

[Sinphaltimus]

I know, technically it's not the weekend but...

https://www.facebook.com/SExmortus/posts/10207131435796245

It was the only thing preventing me from starting on Assembly Language.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 11, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[Asmusr]

If you're serious about learning assembly language, don't make it hard on yourself. Do it on a PC with emulation. Use an editor with syntax checking, and a new, fast assembler. Use an emulator with a good debugger. When you have learned the basics you can torture yourself with the tools available in the 1980's if you want to try the real deal. Well, that's my opinion. :-)

[+mizapf]

In fact, I'm writing my programs using jEdit on a PC, test them on the emulated Geneve, then push everything via XModem to the real Geneve if required. But I'm using the TASM on the emulated Geneve (yes, going to switch to GenAsm really soon now), not a cross assembler. Not yet.

[Sinphaltimus]

If you're serious about learning assembly language, don't make it hard on yourself. Do it on a PC with emulation. Use an editor with syntax checking, and a new, fast assembler. Use an emulator with a good debugger. When you have learned the basics you can torture yourself with the tools available in the 1980's if you want to try the real deal. Well, that's my opinion. :-)

That's pretty much what I'm doing now with xb. Developing on pc, copying to real iron for testing.

 

AFAIK- there is no mini memory emulation but I could be wrong. And the only reason I'm starting with mini memory is because the book I'm starting with requires it and it's gotten rave reviews for beginners.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://ti-ressourcesdata.perso.sfr.fr/livre/fundamentals-of-ti994a-assembly-language.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjNk6PC-9XPAhVJVT4KHSpSD2MQFggvMAI&usg=AFQjCNH6f7kCt5jlv0P-3TPxU2ppiUt9TA&sig2=lmwcwsIh-xLTJbD9mrrWdQ

 

So I figured I'd start there and when done with the book, move to emulation where I have access to E/A.

 

Am I mistaken about the mini memory module and/or this book?

Edited October 12, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[+mizapf]

mame ti99_4a -cart minimem

[Sinphaltimus]

I suppose I will have to get the TI running in Mame next. Nothing could be better than going through this book on a PC as opposed to real iron. My only real complaint about the real iron is the keyboard. So not used to it at all. Otherwise, i don't mind so much.

Yeah, after I get my F18A, I'll work on the USB keyboard for TI MOD/PCB.

Of course I have a non-modded all original mimic of my modded system that I keep stored away.

It's why I don't mind modding the hell out of my daily setup. The few things I wish I didn't miss out on is the nano peb and the CF7+.

Perhaps I'll buy an eprom burner and look in to taking my kit building up a notch.

[Asmusr]

That's pretty much what I'm doing now with xb. Developing on pc, copying to real iron for testing.

 

AFAIK- there is no mini memory emulation but I could be wrong. And the only reason I'm starting with mini memory is because the book I'm starting with requires it and it's gotten rave reviews for beginners.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://ti-ressourcesdata.perso.sfr.fr/livre/fundamentals-of-ti994a-assembly-language.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjNk6PC-9XPAhVJVT4KHSpSD2MQFggvMAI&usg=AFQjCNH6f7kCt5jlv0P-3TPxU2ppiUt9TA&sig2=lmwcwsIh-xLTJbD9mrrWdQ

 

So I figured I'd start there and when done with the book, move to emulation where I have access to E/A.

 

Am I mistaken about the mini memory module and/or this book?

 

The book is probably great, but perhaps someone could suggest an alternative book based on using the E/A tools, which I believe are less cumbersome to use?

 

When you're ready to move to a fully PC based set of tools I can recommend https://github.com/endlos99/xdt99.

 

I learned a lot from reading Matthew's thread on assembly language: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/162941-assembly-on-the-994a

[Sinphaltimus]

Thank you much Asmur, I appreciate those resources.

[Sinphaltimus]

I dunno what i was thinking about emulation and mini memory but it's right there in classic99 as well. Oh joy.

Edit: got this far and now it's time for bed.



Why does it turn on its side?

Edited October 12, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[+arcadeshopper]

That's pretty much what I'm doing now with xb. Developing on pc, copying to real iron for testing.

 

AFAIK- there is no mini memory emulation but I could be wrong. And the only reason I'm starting with mini memory is because the book I'm starting with requires it and it's gotten rave reviews for beginners.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://ti-ressourcesdata.perso.sfr.fr/livre/fundamentals-of-ti994a-assembly-language.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjNk6PC-9XPAhVJVT4KHSpSD2MQFggvMAI&usg=AFQjCNH6f7kCt5jlv0P-3TPxU2ppiUt9TA&sig2=lmwcwsIh-xLTJbD9mrrWdQ

 

So I figured I'd start there and when done with the book, move to emulation where I have access to E/A.

 

Am I mistaken about the mini memory module and/or this book?

 

minimem works fine in classic99 too

[Tursi]

Classic99 also ships with the line-by-line assembler (MM_LBLA.OBJ) and LINES (MM_LINES.OBJ) program in DSK1 for Minimem.

[Sinphaltimus]

Yep guys, see my post just previous to this one. Once I heard MAME does mini mem, I searched our forums and found a thread specifically about Classic99 and MiniMem. This thread was from 2011 - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/178965-how-to-load-mini-memory-in-latest-classic99/?hl=%2Bclassic99+%2Bmm_lbla.obj&do=findComment&comment=2238763

Tursi said::Classic99 does not save the 4k RAM, it has no concept of non-volatile memory at this time. There's probably no good workaround at the moment. I'll consider it for the future but MiniMem is only really useful as an educational tool on the emulator. (But, education is important...)"

 

So I'm wondering is saving the minimem ram (battery backed emulation) was ever implemented and if so how can I access programs saved to minimem via Classic99?

Edited October 13, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[Tursi]

No, the saving of the MiniMemory RAM was never implemented. I don't think it's even on my list, at least not near the top

[RXB]

Yep guys, see my post just previous to this one. Once I heard MAME does mini mem, I searched our forums and found a thread specifically about Classic99 and MiniMem. This thread was from 2011 - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/178965-how-to-load-mini-memory-in-latest-classic99/?hl=%2Bclassic99+%2Bmm_lbla.obj&do=findComment&comment=2238763

 

Tursi said::Classic99 does not save the 4k RAM, it has no concept of non-volatile memory at this time. There's probably no good workaround at the moment. I'll consider it for the future but MiniMem is only really useful as an educational tool on the emulator. (But, education is important...)"

 

So I'm wondering is saving the minimem ram (battery backed emulation) was ever implemented and if so how can I access programs saved to minimem via Classic99?

 

Well consider with Classic99 you have access to SAMS Memory and normal 32K why would you also need the Minimem 4K?

 

I mean you could write more using he Debugger or Editor and test stuff, so why would you even need the 4K RAM?

[Sinphaltimus]

 

Well consider with Classic99 you have access to SAMS Memory and normal 32K why would you also need the Minimem 4K?

 

I mean you could write more using he Debugger or Editor and test stuff, so why would you even need the 4K RAM?

A couple of reasons, I have no idea how to do that. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm following along in a book and it requires the use of the minimem. I don't want to lose the programs on the minimem.

 

I'm a complete green apple when it comes to anything assembly related. I'm starting off the best way I've discovered thus far. For a nooooob.

 

I don't know why I would need the 4k minimem. I just know that I need what the book says because I have to follow along with the book and if the book instructs me to save to the minimem, power off console, power on console then load from the minimem, that's a functionality I would need in emulation. Since the minimem has a battery backup and doesn't lose the program when removed from a console, I need the emulation to mimic that. If I can't do it in emulation, I'll move over to the real iron.

 

I don't know what else to do.

Edited October 13, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[+mizapf]

mame ti99_4a -cart minimem

 

hehe ... SCNR, yes, it supports the battery-backed RAM. You can save your BASIC program with "SAVE MINIMEM", stop the emulation, and next time do a "OLD MINIMEM".

[Sinphaltimus]

In comment # 3 I announced how I ruined a TI mainboard.

In comment #12 I posted pictures of possible problem areas.
I was focused on this area in particular:

 

So this morning I decided to attempt the repairs. Using a meter I traced the continuity and worked one trace at a time. Starting with the one closest to me since they all ran parallel to each other. It would help me not lose my place as I made progress. First trace = broken, follow both sides of the breaks to locate a good solder point and cut a ribbon cable wire to length exposing as little wire as possible to make the connection. Then I cut the trace clean just before the solder point. I did this on each end of the first solder. Not the second, the break was clean enough.

One wire installed, continuity restored. Next trace = Broken. Rinse and repeat.

 

 

 

 

 

Third trace = good! 4th = good! and finally 5th = good!

 

Let's go plug it in annnnnnnnnd...... IT LIVES!! TI LIVES! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

 

Ehem, yeah so cool. I fixed my own damage. Whew. That was exciting and fun. As I said on FB, I had to give my TI a double bypass.

 

The TI truly is a tank. To only suffer this after what I put it through attempting to install the 32k internal ram mod.

Well now this TI is my new daily use machine and modding victim.

The next mods up for it are the crystal speed up mod. I just have to find the right switch for it and order that. I'm not too good on switch terminology so I'm not sure what I need to look for when ordering one.

 

I used to have one of these laying around someplace but I'm looking for something a bit more elegant I'll go this route if I have to:

 

 

 

So the winner for today is going to be a modification to Shift838's mod found here:

ftp://ftp.whtech.com/Users/Chris_Schneider/Projects/TI-Reset.pdf

Basically, what no one seemed to notice or ask about is the mod I made to my peb pictured here:

http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/image/18949-peb4neb/

 

The two switches in the center. One called power and the other called reset. The power button is the "select" button for my GoTek.

The reset button is going to be for my TI and the leads come out of the bottom of the PBOX here:

 

So then I needed a way to connect the reset button to the TI. So it's an easy connect disconnect for transport.

I made myself a connector after soldering a 2 connection jumper (essentially a gender changer) out of male header pins.

The I attached them to the internal wires I want to use to connect to the mainboard. This will give me my PEB reset button option.

 

 

 

And finally I'm going to install a reset button on the console itself for use without the peb. Yes, redundant reset switches because I can and I think it's cool to have a console reset button on the peb.

 

 

So here's the setup:

 

The jumper connection to the peb is off to the bottom and the reset switch is off to the top. I'll find a place for them shortly but I have to consult the ti dis-/assembly guide first.

Need to check those solder points too.

 

 

, yeah, they look good.

 

Now to figure out how to put it all together. I want to keep the rf shielding in place for now and I don't recall how I took it all apart. lol BBIAB.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[Sinphaltimus]

So to continue from the last post:

 

This is great, print it to PDF and save it immediately.

http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/console/console_dis.html

 

I spotted some prime real estate for these additions.

I'm going to place the connector to the PEB above the tape deck connection.

And the reset button on the right side, clear of the speech synth and not in the way of leverage for turning the TI on and off.

 

And finally it's time to connect it to the peb....

 

 

and test my reset buttons.

 

ResetSwitches-1.zip

 

And if you notice in the video, my PEB shuts down. I'm pretty sure I know what it is. The broken resistor on my PSU that I repaired. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I need to replace that.

 

When the time comes I'll have to post a picture of it. I can't read the colors. 95% green cone deficiency flunked me out of electronics technology in HS.

 

[+OLD CS1]

I think it was determined in another thread that the white things on the mainboard are actually power and ground plane extensions.

[+Ksarul]

His exploded component was definitely a resistor. Probably the only way to get the value for it will be to read the PSU schematic. Luckily, it identifies itself as R7, so he should have little or no problem finding it there. I think the PEB schematics are up on WHT too.

[Sinphaltimus]

Yeah, this r7 is on the atx psu. I haven't had a chance to check my stock. I'm hopeful I have another just like it. Although I have a photo of the psu label, it might be faster just to search for a schematic.

I'm going to need some help. I cannot find anything on the schematics. Perhaps some of you might have better resources being in the bizz...?

 

AOpen power supply
Model number FSP235-60GT

Edited October 18, 2016 by Sinphaltimus

[+Ksarul]

Based on my initial hunt, it doesn't appear to be online. . .it may be buried somewhere, but it is pretty deep if it is there. You might have to look at where it fits into the schematics for other power supplies and compare. Here is one place with a lot of schematics for AT and ATX power supplies.

 

One thing I do know is that this P/S was badged for sale by several companies, as seen in this link.

Edited October 22, 2016 by Ksarul

[Sinphaltimus]

Based on my initial hunt, it doesn't appear to be online. . .it may be buried somewhere, but it is pretty deep if it is there. You might have to look at where it fits into the schematics for other power supplies and compare. Here is one place with a lot of schematics for AT and ATX power supplies.

 

One thing I do know is that this P/S was badged for sale by several companies, as seen in this link.

 

indeed. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices. Choice 1 - search the computers i have in storage for the same PSU. I probably have one or two of these same ones someplace. then remove it from there and install it in my peb.

Or - I can replace the atx psu inside the peb even though I didn't install it with easy removal in mind. Live and learn. But I'm going to try and avoid that. Just haven't gotten up in to the attic this weekend.

[+Ksarul]

Note that so far, I have found four different brands with that power supply--so on your hunt, the only thing that is important is the part number, as the brand could be any one of many. . .