TI 99/4a controller question

[Collector]

I recently bought one of these with the game Parsec. The system works great, everything but the controller. I was able to gather that the controllers plugged into the left port, but do you have to do something in order for the system to recognize it? Both controllers do not work when I play the game and Parsec is pretty tough using the keyboard. Maybe my controller or controller port is faulty? I didn't know if there was some command starting up or during the game to change the game from keyboard control to controller.

Edited July 31, 2006 by Collector

[Lemmi]

When you use joysticks on the TI-99/4A, make sure that the Caps Lock key is up. After the hardware was designed and already being manufactured, they realised that up won't register anything if the Caps Lock key is on.

[JagFan422]

i'm having the same problem with the one i just got. Bought some joysticks off Ebay on a whim, they were untested. I got them home and nothing. Nothing registers at all, the joysticks look in very good shape too, i wonder if its my unit.

[Christophero Sly]

If it's not the Caps Lock key, then, unfortunately, it's probably the sticks themselves. Original TI sticks are the most unreliable sticks I've ever encountered. I've never found a working set.

[SteveW]

Aw crud, it's been such a long time since i've fooled around with TI BASIC, I can't remember the proper commands. Otherwise i'd write a quick program you could type in to test your sticks.

 

The Caps Lock thing is what people tend to get screwed up on. For some reason, up on the joystick can't register with the caps lock key pressed down.

 

Your best bet would be to buy an adapter so you can use Atari compatible joysticks on your TI. A few different companies made them back in the day. Hopefully one won't be too hard to track down.

[kenfused]

You can also build your own.

Here is one link: http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/cables/joystick.html

I remember also seeing an article in Compute! magazine.

 

Maybe the diodes can be eliminate if you only need one stick?

[jsoper]

That mainbyte schematic had some mistakes, don't remember what

they were offhand.

[+remowilliams]

That mainbyte schematic had some mistakes, don't remember what

they were offhand.

Glad you mentioned that, I was going to build it and see what happened. I think that pic was the first schematic I've seen of the TI wiring.

[Prodos8]

If memory serves, this program will show values of -4 and 4 for each axis of the joystick (assuming they work) when pressed. It'll work using the standard console basic. Can't recall how to read the firebutton though???

 

10 CALL CLEAR

20 CALL JOYST(1,X1,Y1)

25 CALL JOYST(2,X2,Y2)

30 IF X1<>0 THEN PRINT "X1=";X1

40 IF Y1<>0 THEN PRINT "Y1=";Y1

50 IF X2<>0 THEN PRINT "X2=";X2

60 IF Y2<>0 THEN PRINT "Y2=";Y2

70 GOTO 20

[jsoper]

That mainbyte schematic had some mistakes, don't remember what

they were offhand.

Glad you mentioned that, I was going to build it and see what happened. I think that pic was the first schematic I've seen of the TI wiring.

I had more time to look at it today, here are the corrections:

TI pin 7 to Atari A pin 8, not 5

TI pin 2 to Atari B pin 8, not 5

Atari pins 6 to TI pin 4, not 6.

[+remowilliams]

I had more time to look at it today, here are the corrections

Excellent. Thanks

[ewing92]

Thank you, I was wondering why they didn't work.

[ComputerCollector]

thanks for all the helpful information. I bought my pair from vintage fun world, and they didnt work.

Ill see what I can do.

[Bill Brasky]

 

 

Your best bet would be to buy an adapter so you can use Atari compatible joysticks on your TI. A few different companies made them back in the day. Hopefully one won't be too hard to track down.

 

Do you have any pics of these or know who made them?

[Jess Ragan]

If it's not the Caps Lock key, then, unfortunately, it's probably the sticks themselves. Original TI sticks are the most unreliable sticks I've ever encountered. I've never found a working set.

 

They're not just unreliable... they're CRAPPY. Even when they do work, you'll wish they didn't. The sticks are very stiff and unweilding, and worst of all, they can't be replaced with other 9-pin controllers despite the fact that the system has a 9-pin joystick port. There are controller converters for the system, but it will take an immense effort to find them twenty years after Triton stopped manufacturing them!

 

JR

[Bill Brasky]

I'm using Amiga power sticks. They're very sensitive, almost too sensitive.

[Lemmi]

here is a pic of the one i own

[PacManPlus]

Ok - here's the corrected diagram, according to jsoper's post above: