Took him a lot of trial and error but got there in the end! I just uploaded some better schematics to ftp.whtech.com http://ftp.whtech.com/datasheets%20and%20manuals/Hardware/computerfacts/
Blog entries about the TI-99/4a
Took him a lot of trial and error but got there in the end! I just uploaded some better schematics to ftp.whtech.com http://ftp.whtech.com/datasheets%20and%20manuals/Hardware/computerfacts/
TIPI for short, the TI-99/4a to Raspberry PI connection is available now as a solution for connecting your 40 year old tech to modern computer networks including the Internet. TIPI was designed and programmed by Matthew Splett (Jedimatt42 on AtariAge) and some of the software was developed by Corey Anderson (Electriclab on AtariAge).
What does this do for me?
The biggest problems we have with our TI-99/4a are reliable storage and getting new programs (and copies of old software we find in online libraries, ftp sites, forum postings etc) to the computer easily.
With TIPI you have two easy ways to do transfer programs to your TI.
Regardless as to which way you use, you can upload any TIFILES format file and it will be instantly accessible. If you upload a V9T9 format file, you can easily convert it to TIFILES using the web interface.
If you upload a DSK image, TIPI will automatically convert the content to TIFILES files in a folder named the name of the disk you uploaded. If there’s already a folder with that name it will add a number to the end for example a disk named TIART would become TIART1 and TIPI would automatically increment that number if there is already a TIART1 folder..
Once the files are on the TIPI drive you can access them on the TI side with the TIPI. drive device, OR easily map DSK1, DSK2, DSK3 or DSK4 to any folder on TIPI. TIPI has no limit to the number of files in a folder nor does it have a limit of file size. (other than the limit of the size of the SD card you have in your Raspberry PI)
TIPI files are organized with folders. I have mine set up like this
TIPI.
|__
| GAMES
| |______TIBASIC
| |______XB
| |______INFOCOM
| |______ADVENTURE
| |______TOD
| |______EA3
| |______EA5
|__DEV
| |___HW
| |___TURBOFORTH
| |___EA
| |___C99
|__UTILS
|__ART
So with this folder tree I would map a drive to DSK1 that points to TIPI.GAMES.TOD for tunnels of doom games. Then in tunnels of doom I can just load the game with DSK1.PENNIES.
Mapping a drive is done either in the TIPICFG utility (which is easily loaded by typing CALL TIPI in basic, or loaded from a EA5 program loader at TIPI.TIPICFG) or using the TIPIMAP program I wrote in Extended basic which allows you to arrow through the directory folders and select 1 2 or 3 to map that disk drive to the selected folder. You can also modify the TIPI configuration file in the editor of your choice on the TI by loading the file PI.CONFIG.
TIPIMAP is downloadable from here: http://ftp.whtech.com/Users/Gregory%20McGill/TIPIMAP/
You can load TIPIMAP from extended basic DIRECTLY FROM THE FTP by typing in this line exactly (WHTECH is case sensitive):
OLD PI.HTTP://ftp.whtech.com/Users/Gregory%20McGill/TIPIMAP/TIPIMAP
Since most TI software expects support files to be on DSK1, Matt just added a new Auto Mapping feature to TIPI. When in auto mode, TIPI will temporarily map DSK1. to the directory that you loaded a PROGRAM image file from. This can be a basic program, or EA5, or even a data file such as Tunnels of Doom save games.
The mapping is temporary… it will change if another PROGRAM image is loaded from another folder or reset back to what is declared in PI.CONFIG (or TIPICFG) when you revisit the TI title screen.
So for instance if you ran TIPI.WP.FUNNLWEB.LOAD it would automatically map DSK1. to that folder if you have AUTO turned on.
Also added was the ‘TIPI’ file, If you want more than just DSK1 mapping, or you don’t want auto mode, but for some PROGRAM you just always want it to map, then you can place a ‘TIPI’ D/V80 file in the directory next to that PROGRAM file with a set of key=value pairs as documented for PI.CONFIG such as:
DSK1_DIR=GAMES.MAJORTOM
DSK2_DIR=SAVES
Again, this configuration will be temporarily applied when a PROGRAM image file is loaded from the directory. It will last typically until you revisit the TI title screen.
More information on this here: https://github.com/jedimatt42/tipi/wiki/Auto-mapping
I personally find the ‘hard disk’ structure way more intuitive and easy to follow than the numbered disk image structure used on the NanoPEB and CF7 devices. Trying to remember which disk number of the 1000 disk image numbers is my TOD disk is near impossible, while remembering TIPI.GAMES.TOD is very simple.
TIPI can also be used for connecting to the Internet directly from your TI. There are a number of applications for this including but not limited to:
Using multi-user programs directly from the TI-99/4A
Connecting with TELNET protocol to servers on the Internet.
Additional TIPI software:
Using the TIPI interface to access peripherals on the Raspberry PI is simple and easy. The options are endless to expand the TIPI interface to support accessing peripherals on the Raspberry PI directly from the TI-99/4a.
Examples:
TIPI is open source, all of the software and source code are available on github.com for you to learn from or add to. All developers are welcome to learn from the examples provided including source code to TELNET, the TI ARTIST driver and all of the system software for TIPI there. If someone would like to write an additional driver, or add a new function or service they can do so and push to the github and it can be easily integrated into TIPI’s software and software updates are easily done over the Internet connection to all TIPI owners. DSR updates require a new eprom chip to be burned so they can not be done automatically. I offer a chip upgrade service on my store. The authors of TIPI and most of this software are available on Atariage TI-99/4a TIPI support forum and the SLACK chat service to answer questions and provide support.
The Raspberry PI is a open source project as well, running Debian Linux. Your TIPI drive storage is accessible (therefore back-up able) from the PI directly as well as the TI via the TIPI. Drive. I back my data up to a large hard disk I have on my network at home I use to back up my PC computers as well. Therefore even if the SD card goes bad or is corrupted on my TIPI I can easily restore the TI files to a new card.
TIPI is available at http://arcadeshopper.com/store and is available in both SIDECAR and PEB CARD varieties. And now there is a new combo 32k/TIPI board that conveniently fits in the original speech synth case!
The SIDECAR model requires either a 32k sidecar (also designed by Matt) with 44pin connector and external power supply OR the new 1mb SAMS sidecar with 44pin connector and external power supply to operate.
The Raspberry PI 3 & 4 and zeroW are both tested and recommended with the TIPI. My personal recommendation is to go with a 3 or better as the performance on a zeroW is much slower due to it being single core..
Sidecar TIPI connected to the 32k sidecar. Raspberry PI 3b+ connected via included cable.
TIPI PEB card. The Raspberry PI can be mounted on the PEB board or located externally.
32K/TIPI Combo board fits in speech synth case or optional 3d printed case for those without a spare speech case.
Put up 4 this morning and they went QUICK!
PEB card is exactly the same functionality as the sidecar but fits in your expansion box. We are building them and will place more online ASAP!
Quick Link: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/TIPI-Raspberry-PI-interface-board-*Peripheral-Expansion-Box-REQUIRED*/p/112613135/category=28815024
In the first slideshow you can see the 99/4a Pbox and my award 😀
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/27/community_builds_around_ti_99_4a/ my systems are featured in the first section at the bottom 😀
Cartridges of this demo are now available here in the store!
http://floppydays.libsyn.com/ (also available on iTunes for you apple people) has been focusing on my favorite little computer: The Texas Instruments 99/4a home computer.
Episodes 49, 50, 51 AND 52 are bits of history, available equipment and new technologies including the items sold here at arcadeshopper.com.
http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-49-ti99-interview-with-jim-fetzner-and-mark-wills
http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-50-ti-99-history
http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-51-ti99-tech-specs-modern-upgrades-with-tursi
Also lots of interesting information and links on other personal computers from the same era can be found on the site..