Easiest way to save data from TI?

[cbmeeks]

I've ordered a FG99 which I plan on getting a lot of use out of.

 

But let's say I write a small game/demo that needs to save something. Like a save state or high score. What's the best way to do that from the TI-99/4A? Would I need some disk emulator or is there another type of device?

 

I don't know much about storage options on the TI. As a kid, my only storage option was cassette. Which, BTW, I do plan on using but for a different reason.

 

I assume you cannot write to the FG99?

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Opry99er]

nanoPEB, TIPI, Peripheral Expansion Box.

[cbmeeks]

I have a PEB but it's empty and I don't have the interface cart/cable. I've always wanted to get that thing going (I got it for free) as it's in great shape.

 

Other than fleaBay, is there a reasonable way to obtain these missing parts?

 

Thanks!

[PeteE]

I assume you cannot write to the FG99?

The FG99 does support saving the RAM portions of the cart memory back to the SD card, but not in the traditional sense of saving a file. The binary on the cartridge needs to have explicit support for the FG99 method of saving. The only one I know of is a modified version of the Minimemory cartridge. I'm planning to add FG99 saving to Legend of Tilda.

[+arcadeshopper]

I have a PEB but it's empty and I don't have the interface cart/cable. I've always wanted to get that thing going (I got it for free) as it's in great shape.

 

Other than fleaBay, is there a reasonable way to obtain these missing parts?

 

Thanks!

 

here, arcadeshopper.com and the ti99ers group on facebook..

[kl99]

If you want to have a modern and compact PEB, then get a nanoPEB. This just sold out but contact the seller schmutzig1952 for more.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TI-99-4a-CompactFlash-Drive-RS232-Port-nanoPEB-Version-1-w-256mb-SanDisk-/202572030264.

 

It gives you like a PEB the 32K Memory Expansion, a Disk Controller, 3 Disk Drives and a serial or parallet port.

The CompactFlash Cart holds disk images that can be mounted into the 3 Disk Drives.

[cbmeeks]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I think long term is going to get either my PEB running or find a complete one.

 

Short(er) term is the nanoPEB.

[Omega-TI]

I have a PEB but it's empty and I don't have the interface cart/cable. I've always wanted to get that thing going (I got it for free) as it's in great shape.

 

Other than fleaBay, is there a reasonable way to obtain these missing parts?

 

Thanks!

 

Personally if it were me, I'd get the interface cable to go with your P-Box and then put a TIPI/RPi in the box. It would give you the most flexibility and a the most avenues for future expansion in the future, if/when you choose to upgrade any further. A Nano-PEB kind of restricts any further expansion plans.

[cbmeeks]

 

Personally if it were me, I'd get the interface cable to go with your P-Box and then put a TIPI/RPi in the box. It would give you the most flexibility and a the most avenues for future expansion in the future, if/when you choose to upgrade any further. A Nano-PEB kind of restricts any further expansion plans.

 

Yes, that is what I'd like to do. However, I can't seem to find an interface cable. I didn't see one on ArcadeShopper or eBay.

[Opry99er]

There are at least 10 on eBay right now.

 

Search "TI-99 flex cable"

[cbmeeks]

There are at least 10 on eBay right now.

 

Search "TI-99 flex cable"

 

Ah crap! I've been searching the wrong term. Thanks!

[cbmeeks]

OK, I just bought -- what I think -- was the best one they had. Looks brand new, has a 30 day return policy and was only $39.xx plus shipping.

 

So between this, the FG99, another TI and some TI magazines....my wife is going to kill me. I think I have a problem. lol

[Opry99er]

Awesome...

[FDOS]

OK, I just bought -- what I think -- was the best one they had. Looks brand new, has a 30 day return policy and was only $39.xx plus shipping.

 

So between this, the FG99, another TI and some TI magazines....my wife is going to kill me. I think I have a problem. lol

I would have sold you one for a lot less, but I've been away for a few days, so just saw your request this morning.

 

Bill

[cbmeeks]

I would have sold you one for a lot less, but I've been away for a few days, so just saw your request this morning.

 

Bill

 

Ah, I appreciate that.

 

I'm still in the market for some other stuff that will go inside the PEB. :-)

[FDOS]

 

Ah, I appreciate that.

 

I'm still in the market for some other stuff that will go inside the PEB. :-)

 

I have lots of other PEB cards, but I'm in the process of checking them out, card by card, in some cases, on a full system basis (2 x Geneve systems; a GenMOD and a PFM512K). I also have 2 x 2MB MEMEX cards and 3 x WHT SCSI cards, I hope to include with each Geneve system. The WHT SCSI "G" I will keep for my full SNUG TI-99/4P system, so no more MDOS development for me. Hardware issues are very difficult for me, so far I've been fixing the problems by replacing the 5 VDC & 12 VDC regulators, but this is a very difficult process for me. I do have some working cards; like, 32K (TI & Corcomp, and Foundation 128K) cards (I haven't found the Myarc 512K), also FDC (80 track TI & Myarc, sold the BwG) cards, a Myarc HFDC that I will keep, as I have several 45MB & 60 MB MFM hard drives that were working when last used. Tons of floppy diskettes (mostly 720K, some 1.44MB, and original TI & third party diskettes of various sizes. I could go on and on what I have due to serious involvement since Christmas 1982. From this point forward I will be working on X4th99 development only, as I see no purpose in TIB+ development due to modern Basic compilers.

 

Bill

[Opry99er]

Keep me in mind on some of those PEB cards, Bill. As I mentioned before.

 

Any progress on the Geneve testing?

[FDOS]

Keep me in mind on some of those PEB cards, Bill. As I mentioned before.

 

Any progress on the Geneve testing?

 

Not so far, as my SNUG TI-99/4P is at the top of my "ToDo" list. I have to break away from doing the difficult (for me) hardware repair, and do some software development (X4th99) soon or I'll lose my sanity, and just blow it all up! I don't think we want that, so lots of patience is needed. I only have one operational PEB system at this time, and I can't do any X4th99 on any of my NanoPEB systems, as X4th99 requires a minimum of 256K of paged memory for low and high memory expansion. I have two forth library zones; a 4K zone at >2000 for support code libraries, and a 4K zone at >3000 for application libraries, and one 8K zone for block buffers (currently, not yet paged, but will be once I can get back to it). I don't intend to do what I did in Forth+ 2.0 for MDOS, which included up to a maximum of 888 block buffers with device & path tracking for 8 IDE drives, 6 SCSI drives, 3 MFM hard drives, but not valid for floppy diskettes due to various capacities for each of 4 drives. So no progress on Geneve systems until my EVPC card gets repaired by me or a volunteer, who will be paid.

 

Bill

Edited January 26, 2019 by FDOS

[cbmeeks]

I've been meaning to do some research, but how rare/expensive are the Geneve cards?

[Opry99er]

Pretty hard to find, about $400-$500 when you find a working card.