website/content/museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-4a-beige.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Texas Instruments TI 99 / 4A Beige	Computers	Home Computer	U.S.A.	1983	TI TMS 9900	name company company_name specs tabs photos emulators links docs videos comments related oc_id source TI 99 / 4A Beige /companies/texas-instruments Texas Instruments label value NAME TI 99 / 4A Beige label value MANUFACTURER Texas Instruments label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR June 1983 label value END OF PRODUCTION 1983 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE TI Basic label value KEYBOARD QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 48 keys\ 2 x SHIFT, CTRL, ALPHA LOCK, FCTN label value CPU TI TMS 9900 (with 256 bytes 'cache', actually it accesses to 256 bytes of RAM) label value SPEED 3,3 MHz label value CO-PROCESSOR TMS 9918 (TMS 9929 in Europe) - Video / Sprite label value RAM 256 bytes - Memory expansion card can be added : 4 KB or 32 KB (up to 52 KB) label value VRAM 16 kb label value ROM 26 KB  : 8 KB ROM connected to the CPU + 18 KB ROM in byte-serial bit-mapped circuits (usually known as GROM, Graphic Only Memory) label value TEXT MODES 32 x 24 (16 colors), 40 x 24 (2 colors) label value GRAPHIC MODES Multicolor mode : 48 x 64 with 16 colors\ 256 x 192 with 16 colors (only accesed via machine code)\ Sprites (only with TI-Extended Basic) label value COLORS 16 label value SOUND 3 channels, 5 octaves (110hz to 55khz) and 1 noise channel (periodic and white) label value SIZE / WEIGHT 38 (W) x 25,5 (D) x 6 (H) cm / 2,15 kg label value I/O PORTS Tape interface, RGB video, Joystick (2), cartridge slot (Solid State Cartridge) label value OS TI's own system, but a p-code card could be added, which gave access to the UCSD p-system and a Pascal compiler. label value POWER SUPPLY Special TI external PSU\ (pins 1,2 : 16v / 1,6A -- pins 2,4 : 8v / 0,15A) label value PRICE AU $200 photos emulators links docs videos title subtitle text image LARGER VIEW null title subtitle text image LEFT SIDE null title subtitle text image RIGHT SIDE A StarTrek game cartridge is inserted. null title subtitle text image KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP null title subtitle text image OPENED Opened system seen from the bottom side.\ A metallic magnetic shield covers the motherboard.\ At least two different power regulator circuits **(1)** and keyboards **(2)** were used. Some of them came from Japan. null title subtitle text image MOTHERBOARD **(1)** RGB video output DIN plug\ **(2)** TMS 9918A video processor\ **(3)** TMS 9901 I/O management chip\ **(4)** TMS 9900 16-bit processor\ **(5)** 3 x GROM 6 KB chips\ **(6)** Sound generator chip (Texas 76494)\ **(7)** ROM cartridges connector\ **(8)** Tape recorder DB9 connector\ **(9)** Extension connector\ **(10)** 256 bytes Static RAM chips (2 x Motorola 6810)\ **(11)** 8 KB system ROM chip (Texas CD3227)\ **(12)** Power leads\ **(13)** Keyboard connector\ **(14)** 16 KB RAM chips (8 x 4116)\ **(15)** Joystick DB9 connector null title subtitle text image BACK SIDE From left to right:\ • Extension connector\ • Tape recorder DB9 plug\ • Power plug. Power is supplied by and external mono or dual voltage PSU, depending on versions\ • RGB video out DIN plug null title url platform text Mess emulator http://www.mess.org MS DOS Emulates all of the TI-99 versions, including the Geneve card title url platform text PC99 http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html MS DOS Quality emulator for the TI 99/4A title url platform text Classic99 http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99 Windows Open Source & freeware TI-99/4A emulator for Windows 9x title url platform text Win994a http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml Windows Win994a is a TI-99/4A simulator written by Cory Burr that installs and runs in Windows title url platform text MacV9T9 official homepage http://perso.club-internet.fr/pytheas/english/MacV9T9.html Apple MacV9T9 is a TI99 emulator for the Macintosh title url text planet-99.net http://www.planet-99.net/ Lots and Lots of 4A software on this site. Disks, Cartridges, Articles - the lot! title url text Somtimes http://sometimes.99er.net/ Demo cartridges title url text TI-99 4/A Webring http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=ti994a You know what it is ;-) title url text TI-99 Forever ! http://www.ti99.com Excellent site by Fabrice Montupet title url text TI-99/4 Home Page at 99er.Net http://www.99er.net/ THE us site to visit ! title url text Web Wiz CAPTCHA http://www.webwizcaptcha.com Tons of things here ! title url cover text USER'S REFERENCE GUIDE http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm null [**USER'S REFERENCE GUIDE**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm)written by Texas Instruments  compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\  type of document : PDF\  source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/) title url cover text BEGINNER'S BASIC http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm null [**BEGINNER'S BASIC**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm)written by Texas Instruments  compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\  type of document : PDF\  source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/) title url cover text BASIC REFERENCE CARD http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm null [**BASIC REFERENCE CARD**](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/ti/index.htm)written by Texas Instruments  compiled/archived by Dave Dunfield\  type of document : PDF\  source : [Daves Old Computers](http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/) title url cover text GETTING STARTED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI99/4A http://shawweb.myzen.co.uk/stephen/book.htm /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**GETTING STARTED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI99/4A**](http://shawweb.myzen.co.uk/stephen/book.htm)written by Stephen Shaw  compiled/archived by Stephen Shaw\  type of document : HTML\  source : [Stephen's Main Web Page](http://shawweb.myzen.co.uk/stephen) title url cover text PROGRAMMING DISCOVERY IN TI BASIC STUDENT GUIDE http://www.99er.net/docs.html null [**PROGRAMMING DISCOVERY IN TI BASIC STUDENT GUIDE**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments Computer Advantage Club  compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\  type of document : Unknown\  source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/) title url cover text TI-99/4A CONSOLE & PERIPHERAL EXPANSION SYSTEM TECHNICAL DATA http://www.99er.net/docs.html null [**TI-99/4A CONSOLE & PERIPHERAL EXPANSION SYSTEM TECHNICAL DATA**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments  type of document : PDF\  source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/) title url cover text SPEECH SYNTHESIZER MANUAL http://www.99er.net/docs.html null [**SPEECH SYNTHESIZER MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments  type of document : PDF\  source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/) title url cover text DISK MEMORY SYSTEM MANUAL http://www.99er.net/docs.html null [**DISK MEMORY SYSTEM MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments  compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\  type of document : Unknown\  source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/) title url cover text RS232 INTERFACE CARD MANUAL http://www.99er.net/docs.html null [**RS232 INTERFACE CARD MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments  compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\  type of document : Unknown\  source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/) title url cover text DATA RECORDER MANUAL http://www.99er.net/docs.html null [**DATA RECORDER MANUAL**](http://www.99er.net/docs.html)written by Texas Instruments  compiled/archived by Rich at www.99er.net\  type of document : PDF\  source : [TI-99/4A Home Computer Page](http://www.99er.net/) title url text TV commercial featuring Bill Cosby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhsgvW9P7tI Length: 30 s author date text Virgil Tuesday 13rd October 2020 I am 13 and I have found one of these in a building my family owns. I am interested in it and how it has the same controller ports on it as a sega genesis does. Really neat. author date text ChrisGrillo (Malta) Tuesday 24th April 2018 I cut my teeth on this machine, learning program literally by copying the listings from magazines, and then figuring out which part did what action or sequence. My dad bought this machine for me when it was already discontinued, but as a poor family, we didn''t care. I love this machine to this day, and it is still connected to my tv. author date text Nathaniel (Texas) Monday 19th June 2017 I have a beige 99/4A that my Grandma bought at Sears on clearance. It came with the original version of the system ROM and will run all third party carts. Guess TI was trying to just make everything they could and mixed and matched surplus part stock to get rid of it at the EOL of the machines. Even though the computer is almost a decade older than I am I have enjoyed it and still break it out every now and then to play Zero Zap or Parsec on. author date text Gilmoure (New Mexico, United States) Wednesday 5th April 2017 I still have my beige TI-99/4a (16k of RAM!) and it still works (except I no longer have a tube tv for display. :-( ). I also have the cassette player I used with it and there''s a tape in there but I''m afraid to even plug it in or try and open the player. Figure the tape has welded itself to the read head or something. For what it''s worth, I now admin super computers. Great way to start. author date text Mark (United States) Saturday 1st April 2017 My farther purchased one for me when I was around 14 or 15. I lived in a little town called Newport Pagnell (where Aston Martins are made) just outside Milton Keynes. My first computer. Remember learning BASIC, copying programs from magazines with the thinnest paper. Loved it. Learned to debug because I would never copy correctly, still use those same techniques today... Pretty sure having this computer and loving it helped me get my apprenticeship at Allen-Bradley in 1981 and career in tech ever since... author date text Scott (USA) Saturday 26th September 2015 Got one for my 9th birthday, love the look of the black/silver but just for nostalgic purposes I want to get a the beige because that is what I had.\ I also remember well using a random cassette recorder for saving basic programs. I have very fond memories of these books I use to order from the monthly scholastic brochure thing, they were called "Micro-Adventure" and it was like sliced-bread to me at 9. You went through the fiction Sci-Fi type stories but at the part where the team was looking at a bomb you would type in a program that would have a countdown timer or something like that. LOVED it.\ My favorite game was "MicroSurgeon" by far. A really impressive game actually for that small system, it had three windows on-scree showing verious things. One was the inside of the person you were working on, another was the hospital room and another had the heartbeat and vitals monitor. Really great stuff. P.S. Speaking of Schoolastic does anybody else remember a magazine you could get through them called "K-Power"? I''ve never seen one since but they were full sized fun 8 bit mags. Wish I could look through one now. author date text Mark (USA) Friday 18th July 2014 There''''s an interesting site about TMS99xx stuff : http://www.avjd51.dsl.pipex.com/ Has quite a lot of stuff on the TI TMS9900/TMS9995 hardware including a breadboard self-build computer based on the TMS9995 Well worth a look ! author date text etownAndy (USA) Tuesday 4th January 2011 Actually, some versions of the beige console could use third-party cartridges with no problem. The version that can''t displays "(c)1983 v2.2" on the startup screen. The QI (Quality Improved) motherboard differed in many ways. For one, the side expansion port lost the brass-colored "fingers". Second, the tranformer plug only contains two pins because only 5 and 16 volts are needed whereas the original also supplied 8v. Finally, there is no top shield, and a heat sink is placed on the TMS9918A video chip. author date text Beachbumb Saturday 10th April 2010 I had this when I was a kid. Burgertime and Star trek games and a radioshack cassette recorder to record my programsI made in Basic. Also had the voice simulator plugin pack. Drempt about getting the big floppy disc box. author date text andy (sydney) Sunday 23rd July 2006 My step dad gave me a ti 994a beige when i was 13. immediately i taught myself basic from the excellent manual that came with it. I got caught a couple of times with the function key reseting issue. Funny story: my brother accidentaly spilt an entire cup of coffee into it while it was turned on. we powered it off, turned it upside down to let the coffee drain, and let it rest standing up against the back fence outside for a week. then bought it in, turned it on, it was as if nothing had happened. They dont make electronics like they used to...... I loved that computer. sigh. author date text CodeBoy061269 (Saint Petersburg, Florida) Sunday 12th September 2004 I was given a TI-99/4A for my 14th. birthday, in 1983. I had been taking continuing education courses at The University Of South Florida during Summer break from junior high school. Eventually, all my computer equipment stopped working. You can go to ebay and buy a lot of that stuff, though. That's what I did, and now, when I'm not working with my PC, I can relive the old days. Also, free emulators are available on line that, for all intents and purposes, temporarily turn your PC or Mac into a TI-99/4A. author date text Lyn (USA) Sunday 3rd August 2003 I recall purchasing the TI99 back around 1982 or 83 at Toys R Us for $50.00. The model was being discontinued. There were a few good games for it, can't remember all, but one comes to mind. It was "Alpiner," a mountain main trying to make his way to the top and had to watch out for skunk slime! I also remember the manual with the basic instructions. My first screen saver was "random dots." /museum/texas-instruments-computer-99-8 /museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-2 /museum/texas-instruments-ti-99-4a 929 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230608092647/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=929 2023-06-08

This TI99/4A all plastic beige version was launched in June 1983, five months before Texas Instruments decide to definitely get out of the home computers market.

The goal was to reduce the production costs and offer a better price front of the Commodore VIC-20 competition. T.I. also thought of standardizing colours and peripherals of its future line of home computers, the TI99/2 and TI99/8.

Internal hardware of the beige version was quite the same as the TI99/4 black and silver model. All of the TI99 peripherals could run on the new version. Some minor change were made though:
• New power supply unit
• New power switch moved to to right of the keyboard
• The power Led was replaced with a blue colored area on the power switch
• Only the T.I. licencied ROM cartridges could run on this version.

Despite its short life, several tens of thousands system were sold, in American continent and Australia.