Texas Instruments TI-99

[slip81]

I saw a used, but in very good looking condition TI-99 with the box at a local Savers for $18.00. Anyone know anything about them, is it worth picking up for that price, what kind of software was available for it?

[Ze_ro]

$18 seems like a bit much to me... did it come with anything, or was it just the system itself? You're going to need the video cable and power supply at the very least. It should also be pointed out that the video cable is a little unusual, since it was meant to plug into a TI monitor... it has a regular composite output, but the audio connector is a headphone jack, so if you can't find the TI monitor, you'll have to do a little extra work to get sound out of the machine.

I got my TI for $10 CDN, and it came with a ton of weird and wild connectors (Including, of all things, a Ham Radio adaptor!). Seems like a neat little system, but the only software I've found for it so far is Parsec (a fun horizontal shooter), and "Household Business Management", which isn't very fun at all. I hear the TI has one of the best versions of Donkey Kong that ever came out on a home system though.

--Zero

[TNTPLUST]

It depends if it was a TI-994 or TI-994/a. If it was a 4 you have a collectors item and it sells well on ebay. The TI-994/a is much more common. More at this website.

http://www.vex.net/~guru/ti/ti994nota.htm

The TI-994/a is my favorite machine. It was my first computer (xmas 80). There are TONS of software for it. Currently I am about 10 games away from having the complete collection according to DP. I also have tons of non games.

The TI uses an RF adapter (much like an atari 2600) to hook to a TV. Of course it has a Composite connector if using it with a TI monitor. Here is a listing on ebay with pics of the basic cable setup (power, tape drive, video)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4193&item=4135670864&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

You can also get RCA connections off ebay. There is a guy who frequently sells them for around $8-$12. Here is a link to an online place that sells them

http://www.iec.net/l1133.html

TI 's were one of the first computers used in Ham Radio operations and I know a lot of guys who still use their rigs. I now own 10 of TI-994/a's including my original. $18 is steep unless it is complete (box, PS, all cables, and manuals) I run into them all the time so they are fairly common.

Donkey Kong is Awsome on the system. So is Parsec and Tunnels of Doom.

The best web resource for the TI is http://www.99er.net/

This is a fun computer to collect.

[Jorpho]

I still haven't successfully identified the game I describe in this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19273). Do you have any ideas?

(I could probably track down the old family friend who owned this game when I first saw it, but we haven't really kept in touch and it would probably seem like a very strange request.)

[TNTPLUST]

I still haven't successfully identified the game I describe in this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19273). Do you have any ideas?

(I could probably track down the old family friend who owned this game when I first saw it, but we haven't really kept in touch and it would probably seem like a very strange request.)

Hmmm this does not sound the Cavern Quest which was more of a maze game. Was it on Disk or Tape? Here is something to consider...It might be homebrew...the TI-994/a Club system was pretty strong and when Texas Instruments pulled the plug lots of programs were passed around on Disk and Tape. You have me intrigued though.

[Flack]

I passed on a TI-994A the other day for $5 and it was complete in the box. Like many other old computers, the biggest market for them is people who used to own one. Otherwise, it's a steeper learning curve than most people want to mess with.

I also tried to give one away in the B&S forum (free + shipping) and ended up trashing it.

[Jorpho]

Hmmm this does not sound the Cavern Quest which was more of a maze game. Was it on Disk or Tape? Here is something to consider...It might be homebrew...the TI-994/a Club system was pretty strong and when Texas Instruments pulled the plug lots of programs were passed around on Disk and Tape. You have me intrigued though.

Oh, it was a cartridge. They only had cartridges, I think.

[Raedon]

http://home.cablelynx.com/~tsouthern/magic_bump.jpg

Way to much. The carts are not that easy to come by and even when you do the games are VIC 20 quality.


The system is an aquired taste to say the least, but as a computer collector the TI is one that many who stop by my place say, "man! My dad had one of those when I was a kid!"

[o2william]

You can also get RCA connections off ebay. There is a guy who frequently sells them for around $8-$12. Here is a link to an online place that sells them

http://www.iec.net/l1133.html

Cool. Do you know of any place to pick up a TI power cable? I picked up a bare console recently for $5 and I need monitor and power cables to use it. I already have a fair-sized stack of games from earlier finds.

[chadtower]

I find these things nearly every weekend. Some weekends I find 3-4 of them. I live right near a TI facility. I don't think I've paid more than $1 for any of them and most of them have come with 15 or so carts along with the speech module and other stuff... I have a stack of like 4 complete (boxed) TI99s in my basement and a few more just lying around. LOL

[TNTPLUST]

You can also get RCA connections off ebay. There is a guy who frequently sells them for around $8-$12. Here is a link to an online place that sells them

http://www.iec.net/l1133.html

Cool. Do you know of any place to pick up a TI power cable? I picked up a bare console recently for $5 and I need monitor and power cables to use it. I already have a fair-sized stack of games from earlier finds.

You can usually find a listing on ebay. If not 4JAYS is a good source.

http://www.4jays.com/ti99.html

Unfortunently they are closed until July 6th for Inventory!