I have a mate who'd like to join me and my other mates in our retro gaming evenings. He used to have the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A, so our current mission is to find one of those for him.
I don't suppose anyone here would happen to have one lying around they'd like to sell? It has to have the European PSU, be in fairly good condition and such. It also has to be the black and silver version, rather than the beige version.
eBay has several. Like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Texas-Instruments-TI-99-4a-Computer-/271282956889?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item3f29b96a59 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Texas-Instruments-TI-99-4a-Computer-/271282956889?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item3f29b96a59) .
I always really liked how this machine looks, I think I've got one somewhere...
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:50, 28 September 13eBay has several.
Yes, there are plenty on eBay, but the majority of them are not tested, or says something along the lines of "worked fine 30 years ago when I put it on the attic". No thanks.
But yes, there's one auction ending on monday that I'm watching.
Yes, you're right on that...
This one seems to be working:
TI 99 4A Beige Home Computer System with Manuals and Games All Tested Good | (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TI-99-4A-BEIGE-HOME-COMPUTER-SYSTEM-WITH-MANUALS-AND-GAMES-ALL-TESTED-GOOD-/261279813159?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd57d8e27)
But's in the US I think. Did those machines ever get to Europe? I never saw any here in Oz. :'(
Quote from: AMSDOS on 22:05, 28 September 13
This one seems to be working:
TI 99 4A Beige Home Computer System with Manuals and Games All Tested Good | (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TI-99-4A-BEIGE-HOME-COMPUTER-SYSTEM-WITH-MANUALS-AND-GAMES-ALL-TESTED-GOOD-/261279813159?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd57d8e27)
But's in the US I think. Did those machines ever get to Europe? I never saw any here in Oz. :'(
Yes, they were definitely sold in Australia. Been a fair few for sale on ebay AU over the years...do not see them a lot these days but they do pop up.
Currently on ebay Australia someone is selling 32 cartridges for the TI-99
Texas Instrument Home Computer Command Module | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Texas-Instrument-Home-Computer-Command-Module-/141076312953?pt=AU_Computers_Vintage&hash=item20d8cdb379)
and another person selling individual cartridges...
ti-99 items - Get great deals on Video Games items on eBay Stores! (http://stores.ebay.com.au/collectibles-in-canberra/_i.html?_nkw=ti-99&submit=Search&_sid=36914297)
Cheers,
Shane
Quote from: AMSDOS link=topic=8468.msg6But's in the US I think. Did those machines ever get to Europe? I never saw any here in Oz. :'(
Yes, they got to Europe, and it has to be a European model because the US PSU takes 120 volt.
It also has to be the black'n'silver version. :)
Not interested in cartridges at this point. He'll start up slowly, trying to load games from WAV files first I think. Then try to find a nanoPEB or CF7+. Like most other retro machines has a flash-card solution nowadays, the nanoPEB and CF7+ is the TI-99/4A's Compact Flash solution. Getting one of those will be an much bigger challenge than getting the actual machine though.
There are a few European TI-99/4A's on eBay at the moment that I'm keeping an eye on. So we'll see.
Quote from: 00WReX on 02:58, 29 September 13
Yes, they were definitely sold in Australia. Been a fair few for sale on ebay AU over the years...do not see them a lot these days but they do pop up.
Currently on ebay Australia someone is selling 32 cartridges for the TI-99
Texas Instrument Home Computer Command Module | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Texas-Instrument-Home-Computer-Command-Module-/141076312953?pt=AU_Computers_Vintage&hash=item20d8cdb379)
and another person selling individual cartridges...
ti-99 items - Get great deals on Video Games items on eBay Stores! (http://stores.ebay.com.au/collectibles-in-canberra/_i.html?_nkw=ti-99&submit=Search&_sid=36914297)
Cheers,
Shane
Hmm okay. I was having a look at the Aust. eBay too and found someone selling their 99/4A from the US happy to ship it to Aust. Naturally it was 120v 60hz. Could that be made to work here or Europe do you know?
Quote from: mr_lou on 05:20, 29 September 13
There are a few European TI-99/4A's on eBay at the moment that I'm keeping an eye on. So we'll see.
It might be worthwhile having a look on AmiBay too.
Quote from: AMSDOS on 07:41, 29 September 13It might be worthwhile having a look on AmiBay too.
Yes, been looking there a lot too. :)
I not sure if it's worth asking about this on the Vintage Computer Forum (http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/forum.php), which is based in the US, there seems to be a few sites which are dedicated to the TI-99/4A, and one of those appeared as if they were selling those machines. Unfortunately the site (http://www.shop.texintreasures.com/) was under repairs.
Bidding on a german auction now.
I don't have one but I do have a ceramic + gold pins TMS9900 processor (the one pictured here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KL_TI_TMS9900_Black_Background.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KL_TI_TMS9900_Black_Background.jpg)) and all the chips needed to make a complete TMS9900 system (ROM/RAM/clock generator, UART, I/O chip and many more).
My father trained to be an electrical engineer in the 60s/70s and bought the complete set to build his own system (from a magazine guide, I believe), but then got married and never found the time to assemble everything. He did tell me the processor cost him £70 when he got it, and in 1976 that was a months wages for him (though I'm not sure how accurate that really is)! I've always wanted to build something based on it, and give it to him as a present, but I've never figured out exactly what I could build that would actually be useful. Of course, I've no guarantee that the chips haven't long since been destroyed by static.
Quote from: Munchausen on 10:42, 30 September 13
but then got married and never found the time to....
The generic sentence that describes so many lives, and so many hobbies... :D
Bryce.
Quote from: mr_lou on 07:53, 30 September 13
Bidding on a german auction now.
I have 3 machines and am prepping 2 for sale right now if you are interested in one of these. Both are European machines and the PSU's have UK 3-pin plugs although you could easily exchange these for Euro 2-pin ones
Oh sorry, I meant to say PM me if interested with an offer price (I am open to reasonable price negotiation with wiki members :D ).
Auction ending in 2 minutes. :)
EDIT: Lost it. :(
Quote from: BluesBrothers on 18:51, 30 September 13I have 3 machines and am prepping 2 for sale right now if you are interested in one of these. Both are European machines and the PSU's have UK 3-pin plugs although you could easily exchange these for Euro 2-pin ones
Tell me more. :)
We're interested in the black'n'silver version.
How's the condition? Can you attach some pictures here? (Preferably showing that it's working)
Has it been in a smoke-free home?
The 2 I am selling are both boxed and in good cosmetic condition and I will upload photos tomorrow when I've "hopefully" finished thorough testing. All the TI's I have are the silver and black variety TI-99/4A.
I have already had some interest via PM for one of these and Mr Lou obviously wants one so if anyone else is interested I'm afraid both are temporarily on hold but I will let you know if either (or both) decide against taking one
Sorry forgot to respond to smoke free home bit,..... TBH I've absolutely no idea, sorry. I have only recently acquired 2 of these and the other one I bought for myself about 18 months ago. They will be given a deep clean inside and out though :D
Quote from: BluesBrothers on 21:19, 30 September 13Sorry forgot to respond to smoke free home bit,..... TBH I've absolutely no idea, sorry.
If you don't smoke yourself, you should be able to pick up any smell of smoke quite easily. If you do smoke yourself, you won't be able to quite as easily.
Would you say that the machine(s) smell of smoke?
(I don't know how picky my mate is, but me being an ex-smoker I'm one of the worst in that regard. ;) )
Quote from: BluesBrothers on 21:19, 30 September 13They will be given a deep clean inside and out though :D
That sounds great. You have a lot of experience with electronics?
I can certainly vouch for Mr BluesBrothers, you won't be disappointed
Quote from: TheCorfiot on 09:33, 01 October 13
I can certainly vouch for Mr BluesBrothers, you won't be disappointed
Thank you my friend! :D
Quote from: mr_lou on 05:34, 01 October 13
If you don't smoke yourself, you should be able to pick up any smell of smoke quite easily. If you do smoke yourself, you won't be able to quite as easily.
Would you say that the machine(s) smell of smoke?
(I don't know how picky my mate is, but me being an ex-smoker I'm one of the worst in that regard. ;) )
Have given up myself earlier this year (though I haven't smoked inside for many years) and whilst my sense of smell is improving it is not great still. If anything the machines just have that old smell. I will strip each down and give a deep clean so regardless of where the machine might have once been you'll never know. I can't promise rose petals and apple blossom but it won't smell of fags. :laugh:
Quote from: mr_lou on 05:34, 01 October 13That sounds great. You have a lot of experience with electronics?
Well I'm not an expert but I do alright. I consider myself to be very thorough (which Corifoot will vouch for since he's had to listen to me drone on ::) ).
I have now finished full testing you be pleased to hear and both machines have passed through a "deep soak" test with flying colours. I'd like to give a clean to each before sending images but I will endeavour to get that done today all things being well.
This is getting interesting. :)
Looking forward to some pictures. Also curious to know what kind of price you had in mind.
[attach=8][attach=6][attach=7][attach=4][attach=5][attach=3][attach=2]
So this is some shots of the first machine to prove it works ok
[attach=4][attach=5][attach=6][attach=3]
[attach=6][attach=7][attach=8][attach=4][attach=5][attach=2][attach=3]
For some reason the rest of my pics keep failing security checks :( .
Anyway you should have a fairly good idea of condition from what has uploaded.
I'll try and use links for the 2nd machine and see if these upload any better.
Simply Gorgeous, must resist :P
Nice photo's mate. :)
Cheers,
Shane
Very nice pictures indeed.
Just to be 100% sure, this is only one of the machines, right? I'm asking, because I see two different years on two screens shots. First 1980, and then 1981.
My mate will be viewing the pictures within the hour. Looking forward to hearing what he'll say.
Can you please PM me which of the items on the photos you're including with the offer you made?
Yeah, it's the same machine, the years are the release dates for software.
I'll post images of the 2nd machine after lunchtime today. Was hoping to have it done already but have been landed with kids till lunchtime so the chances of getting any work done are next to none existant ::)
[attach=9][attach=8][attach=7][attach=5][attach=6][attach=3][attach=4][attach=2]
System 2 photos
Quote from: BluesBrothers on 13:58, 02 October 13System 2 photos
That also looks very nice. To be honest, I'm having trouble seeing what the big difference is between the two.
Apart from the accessories of system 1, which we will need though. Is the price difference because of the accessories?
You got prices? He hasn't sent me any more info yet :(
Bryce.
Am just having difficulties uploading shots of just the computer but when I have you will be able to see that the aluminium is quite as pristine as on the first one especially when you enlarge or even supersize the photo thumbnails. Let me try and get these other images on and then we can chew the fat about price, condition, accessories, etc
Quote from: Bryce on 14:20, 02 October 13
You got prices? He hasn't sent me any more info yet :(
Bryce.
Sorry Bryce,
I'm just trying to get all the images on and it's been a bit mental here as soon as all the pics are up I will be in touch
Quote from: Bryce on 14:20, 02 October 13You got prices? He hasn't sent me any more info yet :(
Not exactly. Just that the first one was more expensive than the 2nd one. And then he suggested a price for the first one. Don't know about the 2nd one yet. So nothing 100% definite yet.
Have added images as direct links rather than doing it through the site tools as the pics didn't want to upload (to big I think)
http://s24.postimg.org/jb27nbgdx/TI99_4_A_System_2_014.jpg (http://s24.postimg.org/jb27nbgdx/TI99_4_A_System_2_014.jpg)
http://s22.postimg.org/tm8lgf941/TI99_4_A_System_2_015.jpg (http://s22.postimg.org/tm8lgf941/TI99_4_A_System_2_015.jpg)
http://s13.postimg.org/e81d9iiiv/TI99_4_A_System_2_016.jpg (http://s13.postimg.org/e81d9iiiv/TI99_4_A_System_2_016.jpg)
http://s22.postimg.org/72n5qiz1d/TI99_4_A_System_2_017.jpg (http://s22.postimg.org/72n5qiz1d/TI99_4_A_System_2_017.jpg)
http://s24.postimg.org/qd12c9hv9/TI99_4_A_System_2_018.jpg (http://s24.postimg.org/qd12c9hv9/TI99_4_A_System_2_018.jpg)
http://s14.postimg.org/9krhxqp7l/TI99_4_A_System_2_019.jpg (http://s14.postimg.org/9krhxqp7l/TI99_4_A_System_2_019.jpg)
http://s14.postimg.org/wv5ntf1nl/TI99_4_A_System_2_021.jpg (http://s14.postimg.org/wv5ntf1nl/TI99_4_A_System_2_021.jpg)
http://s24.postimg.org/53i1f5qyd/TI99_4_A_System_2_022.jpg (http://s24.postimg.org/53i1f5qyd/TI99_4_A_System_2_022.jpg)
http://s22.postimg.org/625akdbkx/TI99_4_A_System_2_023.jpg (http://s22.postimg.org/625akdbkx/TI99_4_A_System_2_023.jpg)
http://s23.postimg.org/q2b83uiy3/TI99_4_A_System_2_024.jpg (http://s23.postimg.org/q2b83uiy3/TI99_4_A_System_2_024.jpg)
http://s12.postimg.org/rnrov9bt9/TI99_4_A_System_2_025.jpg (http://s12.postimg.org/rnrov9bt9/TI99_4_A_System_2_025.jpg)
[trollmode]
"Solid State Software" Cool:
They already had a Solid State Drive?
[/trollmode]
Nice machine, great photos!
Well, my mate has decided to not get one of these (this time anyway).
So if anyone else is interested in one of these machines, go right ahead and jump in. :)
What a beautiful coffee mug warmer... :)
Didn't know Texas Instruments and Thermos were sister companies did you :laugh:
This was the age of innovation and experimentation, remember. Others made breadbins.
Quote from: Gryzor on 18:59, 23 October 13
This was the age of innovation and experimentation, remember. Others made breadbins.
Yeah but these were a damn site nicer to look at than the other kitchenalia :laugh:
[ot]Don't know about kitchenalia but I so love this little shoebox I could learn how to code on it switch its switches if I only had one!
[/ot]
Mine's on ebay now. Based in UK. Check it out?
The early model is a stunner IMO, I haven't read the whole of this thread so , probably missed all the answers to my questions.Are Pal versions hard to find , And game compatibility , Are cartridges an expensive commodity, are they rare to find etc etc.
The monitor output of the Ti99 is a bit of a pain. Certain cartridges were very common (I think they came with a few cartridges thrown in) and can be found very cheaply. Other cartridges go for a lot more. Ti games only work on that machine and no other machines games will work on it.
The machine itself is easy to find, but finding one without damage / dents to the metal plate isn't that easy.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 08:39, 13 July 16
Certain cartridges were very common (I think they came with a few cartridges thrown in) and can be found very cheaply. Other cartridges go for a lot more. Ti games only work on that machine and no other machines games will work on it.
I bought 2 multi-game cartridges a while back for it. Still haven't had a chance to check them out though. :(
Hopefully soon....