Scavenger hunt result

[AMenard]

Hi,

 

I was looking for some classic computer to repair and asked around in some of the facebook group I post on. I was especially looking for an Apple IIe since I have many spare parts for those. I've found one for cheap and as a bonus the guy gave me a couple of untested incomplete TI-99/4A. Both are missing keys (different keyboard mechanism on both) and one seems to have been modded. I don't have a PSU to test them yet, but since the non functional Apple IIe appears to be FULLY functionnal, I wouldn't be surprised that at least one of the can be rescued.

 

I was wondering if somebody has a spare keyboard or the missing key(s) for me to complete one key set?

I guess the one missing a single key would be easier to complete.

 

 

 

[+FarmerPotato]

I have dozens of replacement keyboards, as the result of taking on people's collections.

 

PM me, I will share one, no cost.

 

If you just want the M key, thats ok too.

 

Now, those mods are pretty interesting. It looks like they brought out the video signals - my guess is composite on the BNC connector, and audio mini-phono plug.

 

The 25-pin D-sub connector might be a "Joy-Print" interface, a mod that allowed printing (originally out the 9-pin, D-sub, joystick side port). Others will know that better (I never used one.)

http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/joytalk/joytalk.html

Hint: the 1983 author of Joy-Print is Urbite on this forum. Bit of TI-99/4A lore there.

 

The red button... you must push it and tell us what it does.

 

Two guesses: RESET button, or LOAD interrupt. The LOAD interrupt had many uses. One was to run software to print a screen dump. Requires 32k expansion to use because address $FFFC.

 

To figure out what you have, you'll need some schematics.

First, see the FAQ http://atariage.com/forums/topic/267055-new-to-the-group-ti-994a-faq-hardware-and-software-resources-read-first/

 

I like Thierry Nouspikel's TI Tech Pages

http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/titechpages.htm

 

And the original TI provided schematics are in this document:

http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/man/ti99_tech.pdf

Other upgrades on that MainByte page: http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/upgrades.asp

 

Have fun!

Edited October 7, 2018 by FarmerPotato

[AwkwardPotato]

There was an article I saw once in (I think) 99er for an alternative keyboard for the 99/4 that used the same 25-pin connector.

[+Ksarul]

I have a console with that mod to extend the keyboard on a 25-pin cable. It uses a standard TI keyboard in a box--but now you don't have to sit up close to the console to type.

[AMenard]

Well I'm officially back in the TI99 world. I've got a third TI-99/4a in trade today for a 1541-II I had gathering dust. Beside some minor scratches (the alu TI99 scratches just by looking at it funny) it's in very good condition. I pm'd FarmerPotato for my missing key on my other TI and if he's got one then I'll have two working TI99 and spare chips from the "modified" one.

 

Now, I still have to source a PEB with 32k, rs232, FC and a second working floppy for it and software for it of course.

[AMenard]

Well, I received a composite video cable today and tried both TI-99/4a on my 1702 and both work!

 

So now I need a few other thing:

 

A PEB (will know tomorrow if I got one)

A FinalGROM (next month)

A couple of good book on programming the TI (Asm and XB). I know there are some online, i may print them at work.

 

I know it's a bit silly if I get the finalgrom, but I want actual carts of the programming languages (XB, A/E etc) with docs if available.

[Shift838]

Well, I received a composite video cable today and tried both TI-99/4a on my 1702 and both work!

 

So now I need a few other thing:

 

A PEB (will know tomorrow if I got one)

A FinalGROM (next month)

A couple of good book on programming the TI (Asm and XB). I know there are some online, i may print them at work.

 

I know it's a bit silly if I get the finalgrom, but I want actual carts of the programming languages (XB, A/E etc) with docs if available.

 

The FinalGROM cartridge is the must have. I have not had to change a cartridge since I got it installed.