Found: 2 New-In-Box TI-99/4a Machines
All, I just picked up, at the Manassas, VA, hamfest, a pair of new-in-box Texas Instruments 99/4a machines. Both boxes are a bit scuffed and dusty, but one still has the factory tape on it. I opened the other box, since it wasn't taped, and looked at the contents, which are definitely factory new. The computer was in a sealed bag, which I opened to check it out. The PSU and RF modulator are in their cardboard wrapper, which the adhesive has failed on. So, I decided to keep one machine. I checked the PSU, and the voltages were within 1VAC on both the inputs, so given that they are internally regulated, that should be close enough. Via RF adapter, I get a grey screen, at power up. Via a homemade composite video cable, I get a stable tone, and a black screen. So, two questions: 1) Does anyone want a new-in-box, untested, TI 99/4a beige model? 2) Does anyone know anything about fixing TI 99s? I'd like to go through the one machine and figure out what's wrong. - Alex
How much were they/how much are you asking? ~CJ On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 9:05 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
All,
I just picked up, at the Manassas, VA, hamfest, a pair of new-in-box Texas Instruments 99/4a machines. Both boxes are a bit scuffed and dusty, but one still has the factory tape on it.
I opened the other box, since it wasn't taped, and looked at the contents, which are definitely factory new. The computer was in a sealed bag, which I opened to check it out. The PSU and RF modulator are in their cardboard wrapper, which the adhesive has failed on.
So, I decided to keep one machine. I checked the PSU, and the voltages were within 1VAC on both the inputs, so given that they are internally regulated, that should be close enough. Via RF adapter, I get a grey screen, at power up. Via a homemade composite video cable, I get a stable tone, and a black screen.
So, two questions: 1) Does anyone want a new-in-box, untested, TI 99/4a beige model? 2) Does anyone know anything about fixing TI 99s? I'd like to go through the one machine and figure out what's wrong.
- Alex
So, two questions: 1) Does anyone want a new-in-box, untested, TI 99/4a beige model?
You should sell as-is, don't open or unpack, or the value will plummet to $15.
2) Does anyone know anything about fixing TI 99s?
Plug in and try it out, probably won't hurt anything to do that. Just like any 8-bit home toy computer of the era. Work through the schematic and locate where the voltages are off.
I'd like to go through
the one machine and figure out what's wrong.
- Alex
Probably what's wrong is that TI should have stayed with the Silver/chrome case. The tan machines are less appealing. Bill
Hi Bill, Before plugging it in, I’d highly recommend to check that the power brick generates the correct (or in the ballpark) voltages. I completely agree, don’t open/unpack if you want to get a better price. :) - Thomas F.
On Jun 6, 2018, at 9:07 AM, Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
So, two questions: 1) Does anyone want a new-in-box, untested, TI 99/4a beige model?
You should sell as-is, don't open or unpack, or the value will plummet to $15.
2) Does anyone know anything about fixing TI 99s?
Plug in and try it out, probably won't hurt anything to do that. Just like any 8-bit home toy computer of the era. Work through the schematic and locate where the voltages are off.
I'd like to go through
the one machine and figure out what's wrong.
- Alex
Probably what's wrong is that TI should have stayed with the Silver/chrome case. The tan machines are less appealing.
Bill
On Wed, Jun 6, 2018 at 9:42 AM, alan--- via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
On 2018-06-05 21:05, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
"Found: 2 New-In-Box TI-99/4a Machines"
- Alex
'Shocking!' ... see what I did there? :)
I'd just use them and not worry about being collectors' items. Even new-ish in box is not worth much. Most people would rather have a working TI99 than a new in box, unless it's really new, shrinkwrapped. Otherwise it's just an "excellent condition" or "near mint" common baseball card.
Bill, The second machine is not shrink wrapped, but then they weren’t, even when sold. It is taped closed, with TI original tape. If anyone’s interested, let me know. No idea on functionality. The first one powers on, and generates a grey screen, via RF modulator. Via my homemade composite audio/video cable, I get no video, but a single tone on audio. I’m going to fix that one, but I was hoping that someone here had repair experience. Thanks! - Alex On Wed, Jun 6, 2018 at 09:59 Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
On Wed, Jun 6, 2018 at 9:42 AM, alan--- via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
On 2018-06-05 21:05, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
"Found: 2 New-In-Box TI-99/4a Machines"
- Alex
'Shocking!' ... see what I did there? :)
I'd just use them and not worry about being collectors' items. Even new-ish in box is not worth much. Most people would rather have a working TI99 than a new in box, unless it's really new, shrinkwrapped. Otherwise it's just an "excellent condition" or "near mint" common baseball card.
participants (5)
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alan＠alanlee.org -
Bill Degnan -
CJ Reha -
J. Alexander Jacocks -
Thomas Fuchs