18 replies to this topic

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

Hi there, I'm already into NES/SNES/N64, and later I'll do Genesis/Master System/Sega CD too. But you know what else? I fondly remember the TI-994A from my third grade days. I moved and changed schools around February that year but my new 3rd grade classroom had a TI-994A also!! I believe it was my first ever experience with a computer of any kind (I didn't even get my first NES until my 10th birthday in March 1990).

That being said, what's the best way to go about finding out about everything there is to know about this wonderful historic computer and the best dealer to buy the computer and cartridges? My usual dealer is www.collectorscardsandgames.com but at least for getting the computer itself, I was wondering if I should go with a TI-994A specialist. Is it possible to get a NEW TI-994A without breaking the bank? I believe I saw a monitor specially designed for the TI-994A but it wasn't cheap ($150!), so I'd better just stick with a standard TV/monitor, right?

[jaybird3rd]

99/4A websites in general seem to be in a pretty sad state; the ones I've seen haven't been updated in years and many of them are dead, missing, or riddled with broken links. But this is one site I regularly use, which has lots of good information on the 99/4A and its hardware and software. Tex*In Treasures is one of the few active 99/4A vendors that I know of. I've bought from them several times in the past and I highly recommend them.

The DIN-5 connector on the back of the 99/4A outputs composite video and audio directly, so there's no reason at all to use TI's touchy RF modulators anymore. You can buy or make cables to connect the 99/4A directly to the front-panel composite jacks on most modern televisions, and in my opinion this looks at least as good as any of TI's monitors would. New (or almost new) 99/4A computers seem to show up every so often on eBay at fairly good prices; the silver/black ones are among the more common classic computers, so you shouldn't have to pay a lot of money for one.

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

I'm quite surprised that you CAN hookup composite cables. After all, who had composite hookups back in the early 80s? On that same note, I'm shocked that the SNES can do S-video (yet neither the SNES or N64 manuals utter a peep about using S-video; they make it sound like composite is the best they can do); who had S-video way back in 1991???

Anyway, the reason I'm wanting a new one (IF it's affordable) is because the keyboard is built right into the computer itself so I imagine with used TI-994A's you run the risk of getting a few keys stuck/non-responsive or whatever. At least with today's computers (the desktops anyway) you can just replace the keyboard for $20. But with the TI-994A you can't do that.

And what are the math programs that have "Millken" on the title screen called? I actually thought the screen read "Milk Man" back in 3rd grade! I also remember playing with the TI BASIC but all I did was type my name (I don't remember how it responds to that but I remember that if I type gibberish, it replies "BAD NAME"; thus thinking that it was just something to type your name on or something).

And in 4th (maybe 5th) grade (1990-92) we had a computer lab with (I think) Apple IIc computers where we played Spellevator or Oregon Trail on them!

Edited by Dittohead Servbot #24, Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:35 PM.

[jaybird3rd]

Dittohead Servbot #24, on Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:33 PM, said:

I'm quite surprised that you CAN hookup composite cables. After all, who had composite hookups back in the early 80s? On that same note, I'm shocked that the SNES can do S-video (yet neither the SNES or N64 manuals utter a peep about using S-video; they make it sound like composite is the best they can do); who had S-video way back in 1991???

Anyway, the reason I'm wanting a new one (IF it's affordable) is because the keyboard is built right into the computer itself so I imagine with used TI-994A's you run the risk of getting a few keys stuck/non-responsive or whatever. At least with today's computers (the desktops anyway) you can just replace the keyboard for $20. But with the TI-994A you can't do that.

You might be surprised ... my Commodore 1702 has composite jacks on the front and can accept S-Video (through an RCA adapter) in the back, and it was made in 1984. S-Video is basically chroma and luma wires, each with its own ground wire, packaged together into one cable. Most of the classic computers and video game consoles generate chroma and luma signals internally, which were then fed into an RF modulator for connecting to the antenna inputs of old televisions. The audio/video upgrade kits that have been appearing for many of these systems are basically designed to pull out these internal signals, amplify them, tweak the colors, and then feed them directly to a composite or S-Video output.

You can actually replace the keyboard by opening up the console and removing the old keyboard mechanism; Tex*In Treasures actually sells replacement keyboards for the 99/4A, although they seem to have only beige keyboards at the moment.

[JamesD]

jaybird3rd, on Sat Feb 27, 2010 9:12 PM, said:

You can actually replace the keyboard by opening up the console and removing the old keyboard mechanism; Tex*In Treasures actually sells replacement keyboards for the 99/4A, although they seem to have only beige keyboards at the moment.

Radio Shack had the beige keyboards on a closeout in the 80s and I picked one up as part of a TI auction on ebay. You should be able to move the black keycaps over to the new keyboard but be careful.

[matthew180]

While the TI community is small, we are trying to grow and get more interest. Yes, a lot of the websites are poop quality and have not been updated in a while, but a lot of the information does not change either. There is a TI specific forum here at A.A., so check that out first:

http://www.atariage....4a-programming/

I strongly suggest you look at the top sticky-post for a large list of resources. If you have any questions, I think you will find the TI community eager to help.

As for getting consoles, you can get them for next to nothing. Many people on ebay think they are rare and try to get a lot of money, but you should be able to get a console for $20 with a lot of extras. I ran a local ad in the paper (I know, old fashion) asking for old computer hardware, and I got a *lot* of responses. Tons of classic computer stuff that people were happy to have someone take it away.

Cartridges, depending of if they are rare, should go anywhere between $0.25 and $20. Most will fall into the $1 category unless you are dealing with an unrealistic hoarder (unfortunately that happens a lot.)

Matthew

[JamesD]

matthew180, on Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:16 PM, said:

As for getting consoles, you can get them for next to nothing. Many people on ebay think they are rare and try to get a lot of money, but you should be able to get a console for $20 with a lot of extras. I ran a local ad in the paper (I know, old fashion) asking for old computer hardware, and I got a *lot* of responses. Tons of classic computer stuff that people were happy to have someone take it away.

I think I paid about $15 + S&H for mine on ebay. It was a like new one with brushed aluminum.

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

JamesD, on Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:19 PM, said:

matthew180, on Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:16 PM, said:

As for getting consoles, you can get them for next to nothing. Many people on ebay think they are rare and try to get a lot of money, but you should be able to get a console for $20 with a lot of extras. I ran a local ad in the paper (I know, old fashion) asking for old computer hardware, and I got a *lot* of responses. Tons of classic computer stuff that people were happy to have someone take it away.

I think I paid about $15 + S&H for mine on ebay. It was a like new one with brushed aluminum.

If this dealer has any more, sign me up! Does he sell cartridges too?

Also, I believe there are word processing and financial/budgeting sorts of cartridges; are those still useful in anyway today?

[JamesD]

Dittohead Servbot #24, on Tue Mar 2, 2010 2:26 AM, said:

JamesD, on Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:19 PM, said:

I think I paid about $15 + S&H for mine on ebay. It was a like new one with brushed aluminum.

If this dealer has any more, sign me up! Does he sell cartridges too?

Also, I believe there are word processing and financial/budgeting sorts of cartridges; are those still useful in anyway today?

You must not spend any time on ebay. There aren't many "dealer" types, sellers are mostly people that sell their old stuff, shop garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales, and storage unit auctions for deals on things to sell.
You just have to look closely at the pics, seller feedback, and description to see if you want to bid.

You will find a few people that specialize in certain types of items but most sell anything they can get.
The ones that do specialize usually have an ebay "store" and their items are all more expensive than if you bought them from someone else. I haven't run across anyone doing this for the TI though.

I think my TI came from an estate sale and was untested beyond turning it on and the power light came on. I took a risk and got a deal.
I also picked up a box of 12 or so carts for about $10 from someone else just by consistent bidding and that included several Atarisoft titles, a couple other top games and a couple educational ones.

I'm not sure I would specifically look for a budget program unless you don't mind loading and saving data from tape.
I've never used one for the TI but I would guess that's what it used.

[zylon]

I've bought TI99/4a's from free to $20 and all worked fine so finding one should be easy. I found one for 20 a month ago that still had sealed manuals. I modded the rf box cable into composite video and made my own controller adaptor from a db-9 y cable. My beige one was free!

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

http://www.texintreasures.com/shop/

This one looks like a good dealer, with an excellent selection of cartridges (why the heck are they called Command Modules in the manual??? Makes it sound like you're going to the moon or something...) and accessories/replacement parts. He/she seems to offer almost everything TI-994A related...except for the TI-994A itself! Am I blind and can't find it or does s/he not sell the computer itself???

[zylon]

hmmm. I don't see one on there either
If you need one that bad, there are deals to be had on evilbay if you're patient. A lot of the time, the computer will sell for less that the controllers. Somebody gave me one last month I could sell cheap if needed.

Edited by zylon, Tue Mar 2, 2010 9:20 PM.

[Keatah]

I have 16 gigs worth of documentation, roms, manual scans etc... makes a good reference to sift through. problem is I can't post 16 gigs worth!

[Hatta]

Keatah, on Wed Mar 10, 2010 1:08 PM, said:

I have 16 gigs worth of documentation, roms, manual scans etc... makes a good reference to sift through. problem is I can't post 16 gigs worth!

Torrent?!

[wood_jl]

I saw a youtube video of a guy using the HxC floppy emulator with a TI 99/4A! Interesting!!!!! I think it was the USB version; dunno if the SD card one will work.

I remember thinking I'd be interested in **ANY** retro computer that could work with disc images after smiling gleefully the first time I fired up SIO2PC on the Atari. Hmmm.....now I'm wondering if there's a TI in my future one day. Of course, a torrent of disc images would need to be found. However, it looks like it takes a whole lot of crap I don't know about to get 34-pin floppy cable coming out of the TI though....perhaps even that gargantuan expansion case, unless there's an easier way.

Edited by wood_jl, Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:36 AM.

[Hatta]

You can skip the huge PEB if you pick up a CF7+. You can pick one up from schmutzig1952 on ebay, there's one for sale right now. It plugs right into the expansion port, and is pretty easy to work with.

[darthkur]

Hatta, on Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:19 AM, said:

You can skip the huge PEB if you pick up a CF7+. You can pick one up from schmutzig1952 on ebay, there's one for sale right now. It plugs right into the expansion port, and is pretty easy to work with.

I'll 2nd that. I love mine.

[wood_jl]

darthkur, on Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:01 PM, said:

Hatta, on Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:19 AM, said:

You can skip the huge PEB if you pick up a CF7+. You can pick one up from schmutzig1952 on ebay, there's one for sale right now. It plugs right into the expansion port, and is pretty easy to work with.

I'll 2nd that. I love mine.

I didn't find one on ebay.

eBay Seller: schmutzig1952

Click on the above - he has nothing for sale right now!

Don't know what a CF7+ is, but going to google it!

[Hatta]

That's the guy. He must have sold out already. There were 2 available when I posted earlier. Keep an eye on it and I'm sure more will pop up, or shoot him a message and ask if more are forthcoming.