While most of the development was accomplished with the MESS emulator, did manage to run Java on real hardware. The CPU in the TI-99/4A is a weird beast, though, and finally turned this Java Grinder on that CPU, the TMS9900. He wrote this for the 6502/6510, the MSP430, and a Z80. This effectively turns Java from a Just In Time compiled language to a normally compiled language, like C. Last year, wrote Java Grinder, a Java byte-code compiler that compiles classes into assembly language instead of being part of a JVM. realized Java doesn’t run on Commodore 64s, TI-99s, and a whole bunch of other platforms. Java famously runs on billions of devices, including workstations, desktops, tablets, supercomputers, and jewelry. The only onboard registers were the program counter, the status register, and a pointer to the general-purpose registers in memory.Ĭontinue reading “TMS9900 Retro Build” → Posted in Microcontrollers Tagged breadboard, retrocomputer, ti, TI-99/4, TI-99/4A, tms9900 In a modern computer, the memory is much slower than the CPU and this would be a major bottleneck for program execution.

That was a novel idea when the memory and the CPU were similar in speed. This CPU had some odd features, most notably that it stored its registers in off-chip memory and can switch contexts by changing where the registers reside. You can see one of the videos he made about the machine below. He decided to fire it up and - of course - one thing led to another and he wound up with a system on a breadboard.

He found that, unlike modern CPUs, the chip took several voltages and a four-phase twelve-volt clock. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, the TMS9900 was an early 16-bit CPU from Texas Instruments. found a TMS9900 CPU from 1983 in a surplus store. Posted in Retrocomputing Tagged retro, retrocomputing, texas instruments, TI-99, TI-99/4A If you’re looking to relive the glory days of the machine yourself, what better way then firing up the best demo on the platform? As the saying goes – Don’t Mess With Texas. Overall it’s a tidy build that shows what the TI-99/4A could have been if it was given a special edition model at the end of its life. The best detail, though? It’s all made with components available in 1983! We see a lot of retro builds that are the equivalent of throwing a modern fuel-injected V8 into a vintage muscle car, and they are fantastic – but this is a project that shows us what was possible way back when. It’s then all wrapped up in a very tidy looking case of somewhat unclear construction it appears to be modified from an existing small computer case, and then refinished to look almost stock. rolls in such features as Atari-compatible joystick ports, slot connectors for PeBOX expansion cards, and an RGB video output. With a strong underlying knowledge of what makes a TI-99/4A tick, he set out to pen his own take on an extended model. Having spent many years working on these machines, was very familiar with the official TI schematics – regarding both their proper use and their errors, omissions and inaccuracies. Years later, that led to produce the TI(ny), his take on an upgraded, more integrated TI-99/4A (Google Translate link). However once it had been discontinued, fans were left wanting more from the platform. The TI-99/4A was one of their more popular machines, selling 2.8 million units after an epic price war with the Commodore VIC-20. Way back in the 1980s, in the heyday of the personal computer revolution, Texas Instruments were one of the major players. Via r/DIY Posted in Games Tagged kerbal, kerbal space program, ksp, mame, TI-99/4A, toggle switch We’ve seen more than a few KSP controllers around here, but none so overdone as this wonderful stand-up command station. Unfortunately, the MAME board didn’t like his 3-axis analog joystick, so both are 2-axis and give WASD control. modeled the combo throttle/roll handle and the joystick after the Apollo 11 command module controls. The vintage embosser labels are an impressive touch, and make us wish we had one that stamps vertically. We love the two tiers of toggles here - the important ones are separated with 3D-printed Space Shuttle-style switch guards, and the super-important toggles have flip-up covers to protect them from errant flicks of the hand. See the badges?Īfter donating the usable parts deemed unnecessary for space exploration, had even more room inside the case for the throng of toggles that make this controller so touchable. Besides, this is a KAL 9000 from Kexas Instruments. Cool your jets - no fully-functioning TI-99/4As were harmed in the making of this baby.

Had an extra USB MAME board burning a hole in his parts bin, so he turned it into fuel for this far-out Kerbal Space Program controller.

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