FinalGrom 99 for the TI-99/4A Livestream

by Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.

Out of nowhere, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and while preparing for my The FinalGROM 99 for the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A video, I took my FinalGROM 99 experimentation online with a livestream to troubleshoot 32 Kb memory expansion module sidecar issues and play several Texas Instruments TI-99/4A games. This is the companion blog post for the edit which removes over 45 minutes.

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Before you read the rest of this post, watch the livestream below.

Table of Contents

• Companion YouTube Video
• Video Errata
• Links from Livestream
• Additional Thoughts
• Time Codes
• Join the Fun

Companion YouTube Video

Title: Texas Instruments TI-99/4A FinalGROM 99 Livestream Edit

In the video below, I …

Check out the time codes at the bottom of this post for the contents of this livestream edit.

Video Errata

None as of 2021-11-24.

Links from Livestream

Below are the links I mention in this blog post and companion video. All Amazon links are affiliate links. A huge thank you for your support of the blog and the YouTube channel by starting your purchases here!

1. FinalGROM 99 by endlos99
2. GitHub - endlos99/flashrom99: A Flash ROM Cartridge for the TI 99/4A
3. FG99: FinalGROM 99 for the Texas Instruments 99/4a – The Brewing Academy
4. FR99: FlashROM 99 Cartridge for the Texas Instruments 99/4a – The Brewing Academy
5. TBA’s 8 gb SD card for FinalGROM99 (FG99) TI 99/4a – The Brewing Academy
6. Inexpensive 4 Gb SD Cards
7. Index of /Cartridges/FinalGROM99
8. TBA’s TI 99/4A 32K Sidecar Memory Expansion Card with case – The Brewing Academy

Additional Thoughts

1. A huge thanks to Mike Dell for the generous YouTube Super Chats! Mike used this YouTube option to grab my attention to request an extension to the livestream. His request included the ask that I play the TI-99/4A Axel F demo, which I originally thought was a game based on Beverly Hills Cop; however, it turned out to be a demo that was an amazing recreation of the Axel Foley theme. It was close enough that the livestream received a copyright strike! Unfortunately, this demo ended up on the livestream’s cutting room floor.
2. Answer this question. Is it “livestream” or “live stream?”
3. Another thanks to everyone who helped me troubleshoot the 32 Kb memory expansion from The Brewing Academy. The package I bought includes a TIPI, and I had to remove that device for the 32 Kb expansion to work during the livestream, which is odd because it was working prior. I have more troubleshooting to do. I’m hopeful I don’t have a bad TIPI board because that was an upcoming project.
4. This live stream is the first reveal of my new livestream screen setup (as shown in the video thumbnail. My goal was to provide views of the retro-computer screen, the keyboard, and my talking head. Feedback from the livestream attendees was positive. Leave your comments below or under the video if you have thoughts.
5. I enjoy playing games during the livestream but what I am learning is that I’m not as good as I was back in the early 1980s. I don’t blame age, though. I blame a 30 year hiatus from video game playing! It amazes me how many people enjoy watching others play games, but in my case, it is likely for the comedic value of my skills!

Time Codes

Below are the time codes from the video that serve as an outline to content:

• 00:00:00 - Thumbnail Screen
• 00:00:08 - Trying Out New OBS Screens
• 00:00:30 - Introduction to Live Stream
• 00:01:46 - Mark Arrives
• 00:05:28 - Jamie’s Hack Shack Arrives
• 00:07:34 - Beyond Parsec
• 00:08:15 - The FinalGROM 99 TI-99/4A Reset Button
• 00:08:28 - FinalGROM 99 Reset Button
• 00:09:27 - Star Wars
• 00:12:30 - My 32 Kb Sidecar Expansion Module
• 00:13:55 - Using BASIC to Test Memory Available
• 00:18:11 - Microphone Issues
• 00:18:41 - Troubleshooting the 32 Kb Memory Sidecar Expansion Module
• 00:20:32 - Verify the Correct Power Adapter
• 00:21:13 - Jet Set Willy Test
• 00:21:43 - Road Hunter Test
• 00:24:23 - CubicleNate Enter the Live Stream
• 00:26:29 - Number Bowling Test
• 00:26:55 - LEDs on the Memory Side Car
• 00:27:39 - Trying Memory Side Car Without Power
• 00:29:06 - Internal or External Memory Side Car Jumper
• 00:29:42 - Turning on Computer without Power to Memory Expansion Side Car
• 00:30:55 - Looking for Help on The Brewing Academy Webpage
• 00:32:06 - Locating the Power Jumper on the Memory Expansion Module
• 00:32:52 - Opening the Memory Expansion Module
• 00:33:12 - Mark Recommends a Memory Test Utility
• 00:33:42 - There’s Only One Case Screw
• 00:34:41 - Removing the End Cap
• 00:35:08 - Sliding the Electronics Out of the Case
• 00:36:27 - Jumper Found!
• 00:36:47 - Removing the TIPI
• 00:38:03 - 8 Folks Watching
• 00:38:27 - Success!!!
• 00:39:26 - No Kaboom!
• 00:40:37 - Testing Memory with Extended BASIC
• 00:43:08 - 4A DOS
• 00:43:30 - Need a TIPI!
• 00:44:21 - miSTer Discussion
• 00:45:58 - VCFMW Small World
• 00:46:54 - My TI-99/4A Unboxing Video
• 00:47:33 - Amiga Discussion
• 00:48:10 - Beige versus Black and Silver Models
• 00:49:12 - Adding Modern Components to Retro is my Bag!
• 00:49:30 - Chatting with Friends Over the Pond
• 00:50:32 - Age is Just a Number
• 00:50:45 - Atari Discussion
• 00:51:29 - My Brush with the 8-Bit Guy at VCFMW 21
• 00:52:27 - Atari ST or Amiga?
• 00:52:40 - TI Homebrew Games Demo
• 00:53:29 - Request to run the TI DEMO
• 00:56:26 - The YouTube Algorithm
• 00:58:53 - Titanium
• 01:01:22 - I’m taking requests
• 01:02:11 - Tutankham
• 01:03:55 - Is Chilsom Trail an Oregon Trail clone?
• 01:06:05 - Donkey Kong
• 01:08:04 - Jump Man! (Not a Game)
• 01:08:36 - Chat Lag!
• 01:09:06 - E.T. On Land
• 01:12:00 - Control, Alt, Delete
• 01:12:24 - Why Retro Computing in 2021 is AWESOME!
• 01:12:45 - Miner 2049ER
• 01:14:05 - Mark Buys an Extension!
• 01:16:24 - Axel F
• 01:18:04 - Thanks for Watching!

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