Initially I will be cutting and pasting the FAQ from the atariage forum. I’ll be updating this one then referring people here from the forum in the future once it’s complete. – Greg

Table Of Contents:
TI-99/4a and related Web pages
Users Groups
User meets/festivals
Emulation Section
Vendors
Frequently asked questions
TI-99/4a and related Web pages:
- FTP site: ftp://ftp.whtech.com/ (ftp login is anonymous with NO PASSWORD) or just use http://ftp.whtech.com
- Gameshelf: http://tigameshelf.net/
- Tech Pages: http://www.nouspikel.com/ti99/titechpages.htm
- Mainbyte photos lists and projects: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/
- Atariage TI-99/4a Forums: https://atariage.com/forums/forum/164-ti-994a-computers/
- TI-99/4a Resources: https://ti99resources.wordpress.com/
- Fred Kaal’s site: http://www.ti99-geek.nl/
- 99er.net: http://99er.net/
- ninerpedia: http://www.ninerpedia.org
- 99ers hall of fame: http://ti99ers.org/hof/
- Jim Peterson Awards: http://ti99ers.org/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=77&pid=90#post_90
- Tursi’s TI software: http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/showprog.cgi?TI994A
- http://www.stuartconner.me.uk/ti/ti.htm#internet_web_browser
- http://www.ti99.com/
- http://www.ti99.eu/
Users Groups:
- TI 99/4a OLUG: http://ti99ers.org
- Chicago TI 99/4a Users group: http://ti99ers.org/hof/bios/ChicagoUG/ChicagoUG.htm – The Chicago users group meets monthly and has a youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLTtWUO1syCerK4cPjOjPjg
- Austrian TI-99 Club: http://ti99blog.webs.com/– The new Austrian TI-99 Club has a meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm (GMT+1) Please pass this Information on to any 99ers you know from Austria. International Guests are very welcome
- TI 99/4a Italian User Club: http://www.ti99iuc.it
- TI user group of the UK: http://www.ti99ug.co.uk/
- TI Gebruikersgroep (Netherlands): http://www.ti-99.nl/
- TI Club Errorfree (Germany): http://www.errorfree.de/
User meets/festivals:
USA:
- Chicago TI Fest: TBD – Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
- Chicago TI Fest Companion Gathering: TBD https://atariage.com/forums/topic/287013-chicago-ti-friday-2019-companion-gathering-to-chicago-ti-world-faire/
- TI Fest West: sometime in 2021 – TBD
- Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest – cancelled due to virus
- Portland Retro Gaming Expo:
https://www.retrogamingexpo.com/admission.php also cancelled due to virus
Europe:
- The German group will meet in Vienna (Austria) for 2020. It will take place from October 2nd to 4th (Friday to Sunday).
- The Dutch group will meet on 14th March 2020 in Den Haag, Netherlands.
- The British group will meet for their AGM on 17th and 18th April 2020 in Loughborough, England.
- Regionales Usertreffen 4. April 2020 in Mannheim, Germany cancelled due to virus
More info: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/299877-ti-europe-events-2020/
Emulation Section:
Windows Emulators:
- classic99: http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/showprog.cgi?search=Classic99
- Win994a: http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
- PC99: http://www.cadd99.com/
- GameBase: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/309792-got-these-games-for-download/?do=findComment&comment=4601274
Linux Emulators:
DOS Emulators:
Multi-platform Emulators:
- Mame/MESS: http://mamedev.org/ (emulates every version of the 99/4a, the Geneve, 99/8 and more!)
- https://www.mizapf.de/en/ti99/mame for TI and Geneve MAME support from the current maintainer Michael Zapf
- https://atariage.com/forums/topic/313851-ooeygui-v40-released/ The great java based front end for MAME that auto installs the latest TI-centric version and all the support files including carts, disks and roms
- Java V9t9: http://eswartz.github.io/emul/
Web Browser based Emulators:
JS99er.net: http://js99er.net/
Emulation File Formats:
- TIfiles file
- TI Files was the first representation of a TI file in emulation or on a foreign file system. It contains the same information as the file on the TI but also includes a 128byte header (that we only use 16 bytes of) to contain the TI directory information. The original Xmodem implementation by Paul Charlton on the TI attached this header automatically so when you uploaded a file from your TI to some other type of computer (BBS) you could download it again without having to do a conversion or uuencode.
- TIPI, HDX & Classic99 both support this file format
- http://ti99-geek.nl/Doc/Ti99_dsk1_fdr.html and https://www.ninerpedia.org/wiki/TIFILES_format for more technical information.
-
TIFILES File Header Byte Content Comment 0 0x07 Contains the length of the TIFILES string 1-7 'TIFILES' Contains the literal string 'TIFILES' by means of identification 8-9 Length in sectors Number of 256 byte sectors of the file, big endian 10 File type Not the same as the PAB Bit 0 Fixed (0) or Variable (1) Bit 1-3 Not used Bit 4 Protected (meant to prevent copying, largely ignored by 3rd party software.) Bit 5 Not used Bit 6 Display (0) or Internal (1) Bit 7 Data (0) or Program Image (1) 11 Records per Sector number of records per sector for record based files 12 Bytes in last sector Used to determine the true end of the file (0 indicates 256 bytes in last sector) 13 Record length The length per record, as in the PAB 14-15 Number records Number of records in the file if fixed, or number of sectors in the file if variable. Little Endian, which is unusual for the machine and inconsistent with the length field!
- V9t9 File (FIAD)
- This is the most common emulator file format, it is simular to the TI Files format above in that you can store TI files in a foreign drive format but access them on the TI just like they were native. V9t9, Win994a, HDX and Classic99 all support this format.
- V9t9 disk image (DOAD)
- this is a “sector dump” of the TI disk
- Supported by Classic99, V9t9, Js99er, Win994a and MAME/MESS.
- PC99 Disk image
- PC99 sector dump of the TI disk
- Supported by PC99 and MAME/MESS
Disk formats
On the TI basic has no idea what a disk drive is. It’s the DSR in the controller that gives basic, or other software the ability to use disks. It is basically plug-and-play in 1979, pretty impressive.. Make a new storage device? basic doesn’t care, just as long as the DSR is there. So most disk formats are logically based on the controller you have.
Ti Disk Formats
-
- 90k ss/sd
- 180k ds/sd ss/dd
- 360k ds/dd 40 tracks
TI disk controllers:
- Texas Instruments Disk controller Sidecar
- SS/SD 90k
- Texas Instruments Disk controller (PEB)
- SS/SD 90k
- DS/SD 180k
- Myarc Disk Controller (PEB and sidecar)
- SS/SD 80k
- DS/SD 180k
- SS/DD 180k
- DS/DD 360k
- Myarc Hard Floppy Disk Controller (HFDC) (PEB)
- SS/SD 80k
- DS/SD 180k
- SS/DD 180k
- DS/DD 360k
- DS/HD 1.44mb (Geneve only HD with 32k ram chip and 9216B installed on the HFDC)
- Corcomp Disk Controller (PEB and sidecar)
- SS/SD 80k
- DS/SD 180k
- SS/DD 180k
- DS/DD 360k
- BWG Disk controller (PEB)
- SS/SD 80k
- DS/SD 180k
- SS/DD 180k
- DS/DD 360k
- NanoPEB/CF7 (sidecar) disk emulation formats supported
- SS/SD 80k
- DS/SD 180k
- SS/DD 180k
- DS/DD 360k
- NANOPEB 800k (note: No native TI disk controller supports the nanopeb disk size, you’ll have to copy the files to a disk with a format that is supported.)
Disk Managers:
Since the storage software on the TI is DSR based there needs to be an application to format disks, copy files, duplicate disks etc..
- Texas Instruments disk manager programs
- Disk Manager cartridge
- supports only the format that the TI sidecar supported SS/SD
- Disk Manager 2 cartridge
- supports only the formats that TI supported on the PEB DS/SD controller..
- Disk Manager 3 cartridge (prototype)
- supports DS/DD for the unreleased DS/DD controller
- Disk Manager cartridge
- 3rd party disk manager programs
- DM1000 was released from the Ottowa users group in the 1980s and can format up to DS/DD, special versions were created for many hardware devices including the Gram Kracker, Horizon Ramdisk and Cf7/Nanopeb.
- DM2K is under current development and is updated regularly. It can do 40/80 track DS/DD. current version is 3.0 and it’s the most versatile disk manager www.ti99-geek.nl/Projects/dm2k/dm2k.html
- GDM2K was released to give DM2K functionality on the Geneve in Mdos mode.
- Corcomp Disk manager was included with Corcomp controllers and could be loaded from the title screen with the stock ROMS
- Myarc Disk manager was included with Myarc controllers
Disk Emulation:
- Gotek
- Gotek drives are inexpensive and available most places including arcadeshopper.com
- USB flashdrive stores your images
- Stock Gotek firmware will NOT work with TI and Geneve however,
- Gotek has been tested with 3rd party firmware on the TI and Geneve (see below)
- Firmware options:
- Flashfloppy firmware – This is the most versatile firmware.. and it is free
- Supports a massive range of retro computers, synths, and machinery
- Directly reads and writes many image formats
- Flexible track layout for Raw Sector Images
- Extremely configurable
- Supports TI DOAD (dsk images) directly without conversion and also can use HFE format files
- many hardware addons including speaker, various displays, rotary and other encoders for selecting disk images
- HXC firmware
- all TI disk images must be converted to HFE format to be used
- $ per drive to install
- Flashfloppy firmware – This is the most versatile firmware.. and it is free
- http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_emulator/
- Cost varies but is around $115 + shipping from EU
- available in SDCard and USB models
- all TI disk images must be converted to HFE format to be used
Vendors:
http://www.dsapsc.com/what-is-sid.html – SID99 add a SID soundchip to your TI
https://dnotq.io/f18a/f18a.html – F18A vga VDP replacement
https://shift838.fwscart.com/ – Geneve keyboard adapters, drive select boards, geneve scart adapters and more
https://www.arcadeshopper.com/ – Software, Hardware, Cables and adapters. TIPI, Flashrom99, SAMS, USB Keyboard adapters, Extended Basic 27 suite, RXB and much more.. new games, multi-carts etc
FAQ:
-
What are the differences with the different versions of the console?
- http://mainbyte.com/ti99/computers/computers.html has great photos and specific differences.
- Some QI consoles (with V2.2 ROM and 1983 copyright date) will not allow ROM only cartridges to operate from the cart port. (Atarisoft, Funware etc) there is a software based solution for this: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/184559-bypass-v22-console-protection/?do=findComment&comment=2924284 and this is available on cassette and disk on arcadeshopper.com
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How do I hook up my TI to a modern tv/monitor?
- NTSC: Composite cable – Many 8 bit computers of the era all share the same cable, Atari 800, ColecoVision, Coleco Adam, C64 are some examples
- PAL: Modify your PAL RF Modulator for use with modern TV’s (PAGE IS IN ITALIAN MAY NEED TO USE GOOGLE TRANSLATE)
- VGA: (works on both PAL and NTSC consoles)
- F18A VDP replacement from https://dnotq.io/ allows you VGA out from your TI
- For those interested in getting a F18A VGA VDP replacement for your TI-99/4a here’s the latest status and updates: https://dnotq.io/f18a/f18a.html
- VGA to HDMI adapters have been used to make this work with HDMI only displays. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/234226-hdmi-for-the-ti/
- The audio is still output through the 5pin DIN video port so you will still need a composite cable with at least the audio pins connected to a speaker if you install a F18A you can buy these at arcadeshopper.com
- F18A VDP replacement from https://dnotq.io/ allows you VGA out from your TI
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What are all of the ports on the console?
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I don’t have a cassette cable to store/load programs how do I get one?
- Can I use any cassette drive/audio source?
- In short Yes you can. As long as the volume is loud enough.
- There is an official TI program recorder but it is a standard audio cassette player, any player with the proper connections (mono audio out, mic in and remote) will work with the TI. Good tips on that link for setting up your recorder with the correct volume etc..
- I have had success with a stereo to mono splitter on my PC and playing WAV files out using VLC to my TI as well.
- Need some software?
- WAV files are here: http://ftp.whtech.com/Cassettes/
- Cassettes are also available on arcadeshopper.com
- Get a Expansion Box, TIPI or Nanopeb and use disks instead.. (see below)
-
What are the best games for the TI-99/4A?
- The best games are usually run in 32k from disk or use a large rom cartridge such as the 512k cart or the FlashROM99 or FlashGROM99 cartridges. Expansion RAM (32k) is a requirement for most modern home-brew games/demos.
- The TI Gameshelf contains a database of all kinds of games including games that run from TI-Basic, Extended Basic and Assembly Language games that require a disk system and 32k. (see website links at the top of the FAQ)
- There is a great game high score contest on the atariage forum that we showcase some of the best games for the 4/a every month and the winner of the high score contest usually wins TI software or hardware donated by the last month’s winner.
- Rasumus and Sometimes99er are the most prolific home-brew game makers as of late and their software is featured here in the development forum. Cartridges for most of these are available at arcadeshopper.com.
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What do I need to load assembly language programs?
- The big requirement is RAM, assembly language programs need the extra 32k to load into since they are programmed for that memory space.
- The basic playground loader uses the teeny amount of cpu RAM in the console to leverage loading assembly in Ti basic but that’s limited to very small programs. Ti basic has no built in ability to access expansion RAM.
- Most games from TI on cartridge for instance are written in GPL and run from GROM carts. They can be copied to RAM and run from there but it has to be the 32k expansion RAM. This is how we run GROM games from a ROM cartridge board such as the flashROM99.
- Editor assembler gives you the loader to load assembly programs. Editor assembler sets up a environment with routines that can be called by programs. It also has add on routines for Ti basic while the cart is installed. Both require 32k expansion RAM to do this.
- Extended basic gives you the ability to load SOME assembly natively.
- People have written loaders for extended basic that create the editor assembler environment that many programs require to load correctly.
- These days with sidecar 32k availability for a reasonable price and SAMS cards for less than $100us and the FinalGrom99 sd card cart you can have a full assembly language capable TI for not much investment.
-
Is there a multi-cart available?
- NEW the FinalGROM99 has been released, this replaces the Flashrom99 and has 1mb ROM and GROM space for full cartridge emulation. It also supports multiple folders on the SD Card!
- more info here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/260917-the-finalgrom-99/page-10?do=findComment&comment=3802011
purchase through Ralph directly information is here:(Ralph is no longer manufacturing these) https://endlos99.github.io/finalgrom99/- Still available at https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/FinalGROM99-cartridges-cases-and-parts/c/24438345/offset=0&sort=nameAsc
- Yes you can buy a game multi-cart here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Multi-carts/c/16641009/offset=0&sort=nameAsc
- Also there’s a XB27 suite that is a multi-cart with many utilities, extended basic, editor assembler, disk manager, diagnostics and 10 games and more: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Extended-Basic-2-7-Suite/p/44354005/category=15846004
- Also there’s Flashrom99 (discontinued) that uses an SDcard to load 32k ROM files:
- NEW the FinalGROM99 has been released, this replaces the Flashrom99 and has 1mb ROM and GROM space for full cartridge emulation. It also supports multiple folders on the SD Card!
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What is the difference between ROM and GROM on a TI?
- ROM is Read Only Memory and is used widely in the electronics industry as a standard storage for program and data on hardware.
- Read-only memory (ROM) is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM can only be modified slowly, with difficulty, or not at all, so it is mainly used to store firmware (software that is closely tied to specific hardware, and unlikely to need frequent updates) or application software in plug-in cartridges.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory for more info on how it works.
- ROM cartridges can not be used on a Version 2.2 QI model 99/4a due to changes made in the operating system to block non-TI cartridges. See above for more info on working around this.
- Some ROM cartridges were made that plugged in to the side port to bypass this protection as well. Arcturus and Miner 2049er for examples.
- ROM cartridge boards are available from 8k to 2mb at https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Cartridge-Boards/c/16275020/offset=0&sort=nameAsc
- GROM is a TI propitiatory standard memory device only found on TI-99 and compatible systems.
- This is a technical write up on the GROM: http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/groms.htm
- All carts released from Texas Instruments contain at least one GROM chip
- GROM chips are the storage medium for the GPL programming language developed by TI
- GROM chips were never available to manufacture outside of TI’s control
- Some interesting devices were made to get around TI’s GROM restrictions including:
- Gram Kracker from Miller’s Graphics – http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/gram/gramk.html
- Pgram: http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/pgram.htm
- Pgram+: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/peb/pgram.htm
- 128k Gram Karte: http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/gramkart.htm
- UberGROM: The UberGROM alows us to build any cartridge that was made for the TI in the past due to it’s ability to store 512k of ROM and 128k of GROM in a single board. Designed and built by Tursi, Ksarul and Acadel. Available here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/PCB-Fetzner-UBERgrom-board-with-49F040-flash-ROM/p/44354004/category=16275020
- FinalGROM99 was just released by Ralph Benzinger and supports loading ROM and GROM images from a SD card more info here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/260917-the-finalgrom-99/page-10?do=findComment&comment=3802011 and a pre-built cartridge library for the sdcard is here: http://ftp.whtech.com/Cartridges/FinalGROM99/
- ROM is Read Only Memory and is used widely in the electronics industry as a standard storage for program and data on hardware.
-
What is 32k ram expansion and how do I get one? Are bigger memory cards available?
- The 99/4a came with 16k VDP ram on board. This is memory shared with the Video Display Processor and Basic. It can not be used for running assembly language or GPL programs. They run from cartridge or expansion memory.
- 32k ram expansion gives you additional memory for Extended basic, assembly language programs and GPL programs. It also is required for most of the utilities and fun 3rd party/homebew stuff.
- Editor Assembler requires 32k ram expansion.
- The 32k can not be duplicated in multiple cards/expansions so if you want to use another device that provides 32k you must remove or disable the existing 32k device. (this is a issue with the nanopeb/cf7 device as they can not easily have their 32k disabled and so therefore can not share the buss with other 32k ram expansion easily)
How do I get 32k ram expansion?
- If you have an expansion box:
- You can insert a 32k ram card into the Peripheral expansion box, Many were made by TI, Corcomp and others. (see below under PEB cards)
- You can also use a SAMS card in a PEB that provides 32k as well as additional memory addressable by SAMS compatible software.
- The 9900 Micro expansion from Corcomp provided 32k and also an optional board can be installed to provide a DSDD disk controller and RS232/PIO ports
- TI also produced a 32k sidecar that plugged in the expansion port on the right side of your 99/4a.
- Myarc designed and produced the MPES/50 sidecar expansion system that included 32k.
- Boxcar 32k is a sidecar 32k expansion system
- JediMatt42 designed and released a new 32k sidecar in 2018 that has a very small footprint and expansion pins for future add on devices such as TIPI:
- You can buy a Jedimatt42 sidecar 32k here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Sidecar-Peripherals-Cases-&-Power-Supplies/c/22255086
- There are a couple of projects to add the 32k expansion memory directly to the console
-
-
-
- http://atariage.com/forums/topic/242260-hardware-project-of-the-calendar-quarter/page-2?do=findComment&comment=3381035 There is a pcboard on oshpark to improve this project: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/dXyzUBwA
- http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/32K16/32k16.html (no longer available to purchase)
- http://mainbyte.com/ti99/16bit32k/32kconsole.html
-
-
-
- Also you get 32k ram expansion with the NanoPEB and CF7 sidecars.
Can I get bigger memory cards than 32k?
-
- Yes you can get bigger memory cards such as:
- Myarc 128k and 512k memory card
- These include the 32k expansion ram and use a proprietary method to address/bank in the additional ram.
- They also include DSR routines to do print buffering, ram disk etc.
- With the Extended Basic II DSR ROM installed you can use 128k of this memory in Myarc Extended Basic II.
- Myarc Extended Basic II is a software package that comes on diskette and requires a compatible Myarc or Foundation 128k/512k memory card, a cartridge with ram at 6000 (supercart) and a disk drive to load the program.
- EBII is significantly faster than the TI Basic and Extended Basic interpreters and also provides additional functionality such as bitmap graphics and other features.
- More info: https://www.ninerpedia.org/wiki/Myarc_Extended_BASIC_II
- Foundation 32k/128k memory card – also includes the 32k expansion ram, These are basically identical to the Myarc card in fact there’s a ROM swap to make it 100% compatible and work with Myarc Extended Basic II (there is also a hack for these to make them 512k) (roms available at https://arcadeshopper.com)
- AMS – Asgard Memory System cards were available in 128k-512k sizes. These set the standard for AMS memory and were quite expensive when they first came out. (discontinued – rare)
- SAMS – Super AMS supporting up to 1mb of ram. 32k expansion is included and the rest is only compatible with software that works with AMS (discontinued rare)
- Ksarul SAMS – The latest incarnation of the SAMS with 1mb or 4mb ram capabilities. Currently only the 1mb version is available. 32k expansion ram is included with SAMS.
- Buy the board here and build your own: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Fetzner-1mb-SAMS-board-bare-board-assembly-required/p/65657431/category=16275021
- Contact Kasrul on atariage to purchase an assembled one.
- More info/discussion here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/252171-1-meg-super-ams-discussion-thread/
- Sidecar SAMS – Equivalent to the 1mb SAMS pbox cards now in tiny sidecar format with 44pin header compatible with the TIPI sidecar available here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/store/#!/Sidecar-SAMS-with-44pin-header-for-TIPI/p/176285041/category=22255086
- Myarc 128k and 512k memory card
- Yes you can get bigger memory cards such as:
What about the NanoPEB and CF7 sidecars?
-
- NanoPEBs are available periodically on ebay and arcadeshopper.com a limited quantity is produced and sold without any regular schedule.
- Includes 32k ram expansion, floppy disk emulation off a proprietorially formatted CF card and a single DTE 9pin RS232 port. This port is not software compatible with most original serial programs
- TIMXT
- TI Web Browser
- TELCO has been patched
- MassXfer has been patched
- TE2 works out of the box
- Any program that uses DSR access to RS232 should also work as long as it enables the port.
- Includes 32k ram expansion, floppy disk emulation off a proprietorially formatted CF card and a single DTE 9pin RS232 port. This port is not software compatible with most original serial programs
- CF7’s are also available on Ebay and arcadeshopper.com randomly..
- Includes 32k ram expansion, floppy disk emulation the same as the NanoPEB and a single IBM PC cable compatible Parallel port on a 25 pin connector.
- The parallel port is not software compatible with programs that do not make DSR calls. Using the PIO device works fine in basic and other utilities that use that DSR.
- Both the NanoPEB and CF7 file system on the CF card can only be read and written using the software on the author’s site, TIDIR from Fred Kaal or the java application TIImageTool.
- http://webpages.charter.net/nanopeb/
- http://www.ti99-geek.nl/Projects/ti99dir/ti99dir.html
- https://www.mizapf.de/en/ti99/timt
- Both the NanoPEB and CF7 are unable to easily have their 32k disabled to coexist with other cards that provide 32k. So If you wanted to use one in conjunction with say a TIPI card, you’d need a way to plug both into the side port and only have one enabled 32k card.
- NanoPEBs are available periodically on ebay and arcadeshopper.com a limited quantity is produced and sold without any regular schedule.
What is TIPI?
-
- TIPI is a inexpensive hard drive replacment for the TI-99/4a and Geneve in GPL/Rompage mode.
- TIPI stands for TI to Raspberry PI connection. This leverages the cheap storage and internet connectivity of the PI for use on your TI-99/4a computer. In a nutshell, you get an equivalent to a hard disk, floppy drive emulation and internet connection as well as access to peripherals on the PI (such as the mouse, ports etc)
- The raspberry PI is connected to the TI-99/4a via a sidecar or PEB box TIPI card.
- The sidecar TIPI card requires the sidecar 32k card with 44pin connector and external power supply to operate.
- The PEB card plugs directly into the expansion box and requires a 32k memory expansion to load it’s tools/utilities.
- There is a new combo 32k/tipi sidecar that will also conveniently fits in a speech synth case.
- For updated/more info see: http://ti994a.cwfk.net/TIPI.html
- TONS of info here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/the-ti-raspberry-pi-connection/
How about the Speech Synthesizer
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- Just plug it in to the sideport of your TI-99/4(a) and it is available to any program that supports it.
- Technical information http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/speech.htm
- General Information
- Extended basic will only say the words in the included vocabulary in the Extended basic manual. Make sure you enter them in UPPER CASE ONLY if you use lower case it will say “UH OH” for every letter..
- Terminal Emulator II will do “text to speech” and say any word spelled in the format documented in the manual.
- Speech Editor will also do “text to speech” but they are pretty rare!
- What about the little door on the front?
- Originally when the synthesizer was designed, it was programmed with about 300 words and phrases (the ones you can get from CALL SAY in Extended BASIC). TI’s intention was to sell add-in modules that went into this compartment that would add additional words to the resident vocabulary. TI then figured out how to do unlimited text to speech through software, added that to Terminal Emulator II, and then there was no need for the add-in modules. So none were ever sold and very few of the speech synthesizers even have the connector inside the door for these to plug into.
- I hear there are a couple lines that aren’t passed through the speech synth? (these can be jumpered across the board to resolve)
- 5v on pin 1 (Jedimatt sidecar32 requires this OR an external power supply)
- Sound through (SID99 requires this to play sound from the PBOX)
- Can I put the speech synth in the console?
- If you are handy with a soldering iron: http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/speech/speech_console.html
- Can I put the speech synth board in the PEB?
- Rave Speech Board
- Corcomp TripleTech
- SPVMC board (replaces TI speech synth)
- Rave Speech Board
- Just plug it in to the sideport of your TI-99/4(a) and it is available to any program that supports it.
What is this Peripheral Expansion Box you speak of? 
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- TI released two versions of the PEB (Peripheral Expansion Box)
- 99/4 which has a push button switch
- 99/4a which has a rocker switch
- There was a beige colored box in advertisements for the QI models but it was never manufactured or released to the public.
- The expansion box connected to the 99/4 and 99/4a with the Flex Cable
Interface card which included a large black ribbon cable and a large connector that connects to the expansion port on the right side of the console. This was dubbed the “fire hose” by TI owners. - Yes the fan is very loud, here’s instructions to put in a quieter fan: http://www.mainbyte.com/ti99/peb/peb_box_project.html
- Great write up with photos here: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/peb/perf_box.html
- TI released two versions of the PEB (Peripheral Expansion Box)
- What cards are available for the PEB?
- Many cards were made available for the PEB including Memory expansion, RAMdisks, CPM coprocessor boards, Pcode Pascal system, Western Digital Hard disk Controller interfaces, SCSI controller, IDE controller, Video controller, Floppy disk controllers, SID99, Speech synth adapter (to hide the speech board in the PEB) and much more.
- TI Cards: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/peb/ti_cards.html
- Memory Expansion Model No. PHP1260
- RS232 Interface – Model No. PHP1220
- Disk Memory System – Model No. PHP1240
- P-Code Version 4.0 – Model No. PHP1270
- Flex Cable Interface (connects expansion box to the TI-99 computer side port
- 3rd Party Cards: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/peb/3rd_cards.html
Corcomp 32k Card
Corcomp RS232 Card
Corcomp 9900 Floppy Controller Card
Thierry Nouspikel’s IDE Card
SuperAMS circuit card
ICS 32K Memory Card
RAVE SPA-01 Speech-in-PEB-Adapter
(with attached speech synthesizer board)DIJIT Systems ADVANCED VIDEO PROCESSOR CARD (AVPC)
Horizon 256K RAMDisk Card
Horizon P-Gram +
Horizon P-Gram Protoype
Myarc HFDC Winchester Card
Myarc Geneve 9640
Home Computer CardHRD16 – 16 Bit Highspeed-Ramdisk 16 Bit
Diskette Controller with real-time clock
HSGPL2 – Highspeed GPL Card
EVPC – Enhanced Videoprocessor Card
EVPC2 – Enhanced Videoprocessor Card 2
SGCPU – Second generation CCU Card
SPVMC – Speech and Voicememory Card
ASCSI 2 – Advanced SCSI Card (rev 2)
- http://www.dsapsc.com/what-is-sid.html (discontinued)
- http://www.s-n-u-g.de/home/index_e.php
- https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Peripheral-Expansion-Box-boards/c/16275021/offset=0&sort=nameAsc
- Memory Expansion Model No. PHP1260
Can I hook up a PC keyboard to my TI?
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- USB: http://ti994a.cwfk.net/TiUsbKeys.html – boards and assembled units are available here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Keyboards-and-adapters/c/23836460
- PS/2: http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/showprog.cgi?search=adapter
- Rave99 (no longer made..) http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/rave/keyboard.html
What Joysticks and controllers are available for my TI?
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- TI Handheld controllers are very common in the black plastic model. Less common in the beige color. These are nicknamed “hand wreckers” as they use a poorly designed lever and membrane method with foam pads under the membrane that tend to go bad over time.
- Atari compatible joysticks can be used using an adapter, there were various models made from Wico and other manufacturers. (all discontinued)
- A compact “Atari” joystick adapter is currently available here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Joysticks-and-adapters/c/21773047/offset=0&sort=nameAsc
- Or if you are handy you can make your own: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/cables/joystick.html
- Wico made a very nice Trackball they are available on Ebay now and then
- Milton Bradley released a MBX expansion system for the TI in 1983 that contained an enhanced speech synth, speech recognition, a “touchpad” interface and enhanced controllers
- Mechatronics made a TI mouse that was basically a generic xy mouse with TI drivers and a 5v power supply, there is also a DSR for TI-artist
- Asgard software had a serial mouse driver. <if someone has a link lmk>
- Here’s another serial mouse driver: http://www.stuartconner.me.uk/ti/ti.htm#connecting_serial_mouse
- SuperSketch was available for the TI and had it’s own paint program built in.Also a TI-artist DSR was available. These were difficult to use due to the linear axis of the system. http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/super_sketch.html
Can I hook up a modem to my TI?
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- Yes but to hook up a modem you need a RS232 serial port
- with a PEB and a RS232 card
- with a sidecar RS232
- with a NanoPEB
- with a UberGROM board with the serial interface)
- What is the pinout of the TI RS232 serial port?
- Here is the manual: http://ftp.whtech.com/datasheets%20and%20manuals/Hardware/Texas%20Instruments/PHP1220%20RS232%20Card/ti%20rs232%20card%20manual.pdf
- 1 Ground
- 2 RXD
- 3 TXD
- 5 CTS
- 6 DSR
- 7 Ground
- 8 DCD
- 20 DTR
- Here is the manual: http://ftp.whtech.com/datasheets%20and%20manuals/Hardware/Texas%20Instruments/PHP1220%20RS232%20Card/ti%20rs232%20card%20manual.pdf
- What is the pinout of the NanoPEB?
- Manuals are available here: http://webpages.charter.net/nanopeb/
- 2 RXD
- 3 TXD
- 4 DTR
- 5 Ground
- 7 RTS
- 8 CTS
- Manuals are available here: http://webpages.charter.net/nanopeb/
- What Terminal Software is there for the TI
- Terminal Emulator II is a cartridge that will allow you to connect to RS232/1 or 2 at 110 and 300 baud. This software has it’s own “terminal protocol” that allowed for changing character definitions and other cool stuff. Runs on a stock console without memory expansion.
- FastTerm was a popular terminal program that gave you basic terminal functions and xmodem transfers. 32k and disk system required.
- Telco is the most full featured terminal program for the TI, it included multiple terminal (including ANSI but no color) and transfer protocols, phone book and auto dialer and many other features. 32k and disk system required
- Term80 allowed you to have an 80 column terminal on your 99/4a with the stock VDP, hard to read but amazing! 32k and disk system required
- Mass Transfer was a terminal program that worked well to send multiple files between computers. 32k and disk system required (included in XB27 suite)
- TIMXT is the latest terminal released allowing for up to 38000 baud full color ANSI terminal on a NanoPEB or TI rs232 card and 80 column text with the F18a VDP. 32k, rom load or disk system and F18a required. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/265573-timxt-terminal-emulator-dev/?do=findComment&comment=3761846
- Yes but to hook up a modem you need a RS232 serial port
Can I hook up a printer to my TI?
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- Sure with the following cards/addons you can hook up a printer.
- TI RS232 card has two serial ports and one parallel port. You can order a TI parallel cable here: http://www.cabledepot.com/05MCOlderTI.html
- NanoPEB has a single serial port that is the same as a PC serial port. 9 pin
- CF7 has a single parallel port that is the same as a PC parallel port 25 pin
- There was a cartridge based program that included a cartridge based parallel port, these are relatively rare.
- If you don’t have a printer, you can use the program TI PRINT from Fred Kaal to use your PC’s printer with your TI. You just need a serial port (same as the HDX set up) and this software: www.ti99-geek.nl/Projects/ti99print/ti99print.html
- Sure with the following cards/addons you can hook up a printer.
Disk drives?
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- TI made a stand alone disk controller and a PEB card that supported up to DS/SD diskettes. There is an 80 track modification available from hummingbird eproms to add 80 track drives to this controller.
- Corcomp made a PEB disk controller and a sidecar “9900 Micro” that supported up to DS/DD diskettes. http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/9900_micro/9900_micro.html
- Myarc made a PEB disk controller that supported up to DS/DD diskettes.
- Myarc also made a HFDC (hard, floppy disk controller) for the PEB that will support up to 80 track DS/DD disks on a 4/a and fully format 1.44mb HD disks on a Geneve (with the appropriate drive).
Hard drives?
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- TIPI provides a hierarchical file system (essentially a hard disk as far as the TI is concerned) for more information see the TIPI description above or http://ti994a.cwfk.net/TIPI.html
- Myarc produced a Winchester Personality Card that allowed you to connect a WDS-100 SASI controller to your TI and then some MFM hard drives to the controller. This supported up to two 20meg drives. There are only three I know of in collectors hands.. Good luck on finding one!
- Myarc produced a HFDC controller that in addition to disk drives supported up to 2 MFM hard drives as well, I have a 40mb one on my Geneve, not sure the max limit.. (rare)
- S.N.U.G produced an excellent SCSI controller card that is compatible with the TI and Geneve. These are difficult and expensive to find for sale. http://www.s-n-u-g.de/home/index_e.php
- WHSCSI card (Western Horizon SCSI card) Handles 7 SCSI drives and with a HP SCSI port splitter box could handle 6 more SCSI drives for a total of 13 SCSI drives (rare)
- Therry designed a IDE controller for the 99/4a and some have been built as part of a group project among TI enthusiasts. These were recently produced by shift838 but they are sold out, but they are open source you can build your own.
Disk emulators?
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- The Lotherek disk drive emulator works with the TI with any controller
- The Gotek USB based disk drive emulator works with the TI with the optional firmware upgrade and any controller
- TIPI emulates disk access via DSK1-3 pointers on the tipi_disk for more information see TIPI description above or http://ti994a.cwfk.net/TIPI.html
- The CF7 and NanoPEB have disk drive emulators built in using CF card for storage http://webpages.charter.net/nanopeb/
RAM Disks?
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- Corcomp’s 128k and 512k memory cards are basically only usable as RAMDISK these had no battery backup so power off=blank
- Myarc’s 128k and 512k memory cards contain a DSR routine for RAMDISK, these had no battery backup etc..
- Horizion RAMDISK is a dedicated ramdisk of battery-backed memory. It will survive a reboot/power down as long as your batteries are good. Various sizes were released getting bigger as ram prices dropped.
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How can I transfer files from my PC to my TI?
- Cartridge ROM/GROM:
- FlashROM99 can run up to 32k ROM files from a fat32 formatted SDcard that you can load rom images on your PC.THIS IS FOR ROM BINARY IMAGES ONLY, NOT DISK FILES.
- FinalGROM99 can run up to 1mb ROM files and additionally GROM files from SDcard that you can load these images on your PC. THIS IS FOR ROM AND GROM BINARY IMAGES ONLY NOT DISK FILES.
- DISK files:
- TIPI can be accessed from your PC on it’s built in SAMBA/Windows file share as TIPI it also can be accessed by it’s internal webserver at http://tipi:9900 and files can be uploaded to the TIPI disk folder from this interface.
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Ti99Hdx is a PC program which is capable to communicate with a TI99/4A or Geneve computer via a serial connection (TI RS232/2 interface or own build) or a parallel connection (Cf7a+ interface). or UBERGrom
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Modified TI RS232 card (Must be TI brand, no 3rd party cards) using the HDX daughter-board (sold here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/RS232-mods-cables/c/16275022/offset=0&sort=nameAsc ) and a straight-through serial cable hooked to TI RS232/2 (splitters for rs232 also sold there)
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Standard TI or Corcomp serial card using HDXS software that is downloadable here: http://www.ti99-geek.nl/Projects/ti99hdx/ti99hdx_ti_std_rs232.html (also this tool is included in XB27 suite cartridge) and a straight through serial cable hooked to TI RS232/1 I wrote up a detailed walkthrough here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/248292-pc-to-ti-transfers-with-stock-rs232nanopeb-and-hdx-server/page-1
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NanoPEB sidecar serial port, with a NULL modem cable http://www.ti99-geek.nl/Projects/ti99hdx/ti99hdx_nanopeb.html
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UberGROM cartridge board with a serial device and cable. http://www.ti99-geek.nl/Projects/ti99hdx/ti99hdx_ubergrom.html
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- TI,Corcomp,Myarc RS232, terminal software on both sides and a PC with serial port. Straight through cable.
- MagicFM – Magic file manager will allow you to use the above serial set up and copy files to/from the TI using your PC’s terminal program: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/MagicFM-diskette/p/47916395/category=15846005
- If your PC has a compatible disk controller and drive you can read/write disks with this tool: ftp://ftp.whtech.com/pc%20utilities/TI99-PC%203.2.1.%20Password%20’TI99′.rar
- Cartridge ROM/GROM:
A web browser? seriously?
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- Yes, it has a subset of html that works with the TI, there are a few pages out there http://atariage.com/forums/topic/231274-stuarts-ti-994a-internet-web-browser/ for more info you will need a rs232 card or NanoPEB and a lantronics uds device. A TIPI version has also been released recently.
Compatible computers?
My TI isn’t working right! help!
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- Keyboard issues
- The keyboard is connected directly to the TI motherboard with a pin connector. This can become loose/dirty and may need cleaning/reseating. There is no logic within the keyboard is is merely shorting the keyboard lines when you hit the keys.
- If your cable is damaged there are replacements available at http://www.arcadeshopper.com/under hardware/cables
- Alpha Lock issue: With the alpha lock key on you are unable to use the up direction with the joysticks. Release alpha lock to play games OR do this fix: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/console/alpha_lock.html
- What keyboard do I have? There were at least 5 manufacturers of keyboards for the 99/4a. http://mainbyte.com/ti99/keyboard/keyboard.html has good pictures/info/schematic.
- Mitsumi: These keyboards do not have any solder points except for the alpha-lock key connection and the ribbon cable.
- These keyboards have a membrane under the keys that tends to go bad with age and can sometimes be revived by separating the layers (CAREFULLY) https://atariage.com/forums/topic/256662-repairing-a-mitsumi-keyboard/
- These keyboards have a membrane under the keys that tends to go bad with age and can sometimes be revived by separating the layers (CAREFULLY) https://atariage.com/forums/topic/256662-repairing-a-mitsumi-keyboard/
- Alps and others: These keyboards have solder points on the back of the PCBoard
- these keyboards sometimes have dirt/corrosion in the switches that can be cleaned with contact cleaner or alcohol.
- Console just BEEPS
- The start up routine of a 99/4a initializes the sound chip with a tone and then the rom boot routine shuts off the tone.. If it just beeps either there is a bad connection to a peripheral OR a board level issue that is causing the startup routine to “lock”. Check all socketed chips for good connection/corrosion etc and reseat.
- Scrambled/Garbled screen graphics/text
- 80% of the time this is VDP ram and it will need to be replaced.
- Here is a great page on how to determine what RAM chip is bad: http://www.ninerpedia.org/index.php?title=Troubleshooting
- Don’t use 4116 ram, it costs more than 4164 and uses more power/generates more heat. 4164 will last longer. See this post for more info https://atariage.com/forums/topic/257923-replacing-4116-ram-with-4164-for-reliability/
- VDP Ram is soldered into the motherboard and will need to be desoldered and replaced (suggest it is replaced with sockets and new ram inserted into the socket) this ram is TMS4116 static ram. Located in number 6 in this photo: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/big_mother2.jpg
- The F18A VGA VDP replacement contains it’s own VDP ram so replacing the TMS9918a VDP in your 4/a with a F18A will also replace bad memory without having to solder..
- Here is a great page on how to determine what RAM chip is bad: http://www.ninerpedia.org/index.php?title=Troubleshooting
- On NTSC/USA machines TMS9918a VDP is the hottest component on the motherboard and this tends to end it’s life prematurely. Daily use consoles tend to have the VDP fry sooner or later. This chip is socketed so it is relatively easy to replace. It is covered with heatsync compound and there is a metal slug that sits on top of it under the RF shield on a original 4/a. On a QI model there is a metal heat-sync clipped to the 9918a.
- 80% of the time this is VDP ram and it will need to be replaced.
- Cartridges don’t work or don’t work reliably.
- The TI cartridge port is the most used part of a console. It tends to get dirty and gummed up. Info here on cleaning carts and the port: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/minimem/cart_fix.html
- Replacement cartridge port boards are available on ebay and from vendors.
- The keyboard is connected directly to the TI motherboard with a pin connector. This can become loose/dirty and may need cleaning/reseating. There is no logic within the keyboard is is merely shorting the keyboard lines when you hit the keys.
- Keyboard issues