Got a TI99, supposedly brand new and boxed...

[dcescott]

Okay, I'm not the brightest when it comes to purchasing, given the price (10 bucks + 7 games, no controllers but with power supply and rf switch) I took a chance. It doesn't work and I'm ready to dissect it to see what's the deal. It powers up, and the TV switcher works, but I get a blank, black screen, with or without a game inserted. The audio is a low hummm, and that's it. 10 bucks is 10 bucks, however I'd like to get this working. If there is a website out there specifically for troubleshooting TI99's please inform me, thanks
Daniel

[omnedon]

How, exactly, do you have it conected to your TV?

It cannot be connected to a modern TV through the yellow video jack, when using the TV/Computer switch.

Gotta eliminate the easy stuff first.

[dcescott]

IT's connected the rf way, like my A2600. My TV I use isn't new. I'll switch out the rf's, maybe that's the problem. When I hooked it up, I used the end of my chain of rf's from alll the other consoles. I have chained up 5 systems before the TI99. Thanks for the advice
Daniel

[omnedon]

JIggle the connctors while it's on. See if it will flicker or anything. Trying another switch is a good idea.

It could be the TI. You can get composite video wires for the TI too I beleive. Those may be worth a try.

[vintagegamecrazy]

If you are getting a black screen when you power it up it could have corrosion damage on the cart slot. Even if it was new when you got it, it obviously has been sitting around for years maybe in harsh storage climate conditions. I've never fixed a TI99 but I have taken apart nes and ataris and lightly sanded the slot and the pin connectors and often times that helped.