24 November 2021

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!

Additional Thoughts

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.
Answer this question. Is it “livestream” or “live stream?”
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.
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.
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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