F18A

[budz2355]

So I got my chip today....installed it (whew!) and turn on the system and ....it works, THANK GOD! (I am not a modder)

 

Anyway, there do seem to be a couple minor issues:

 

1.) That cable is SQUEEZED into the shielding and my TI looks bloated now....therefore the cart slot doesn't line up quite right and the dust door never closes (I'm sure something is holding the spring open)

 

2.) Every cart I have tried works now EXCEPT my 2.7 cart from Tony. (I did have some issues with this before running XB slow and having to reboot a couple times before it would start)

 

3.) Even though I still have my audio cable plugged into the TV, it is reading the VGA signal and not the A/V component, so I have no sound.

 

4.) I didn't mess with the jumpers.... Do I do anything special to turn 80 column mode on?

 

Any help/advice would be wonderful!! Thank you

[matthew180]

1. I can't help much with the physical install, sorry. It is up to each person to make the case modifications to their own taste. The F18A can be made to fit nicely in the 99/4A with the metal shields and all, it just takes some doing. Maybe you know someone close by who can help make the case mod? There are also plenty of photos here in the forum that people have posted of their F18A installs, maybe get some ideas from those installs.

 

2. I don't have the 2.7 cart, so I don't know what the problem might be? If your console is not closed up properly I would start there. Someone else here on the forum probably has an F18A and the 2.7 cart, so hopefully they can chime in and let us know if there are any known problems.

 

3. I realize audio is an issue, however if your TV will not use the A/V audio with a VGA input, I can't do much about that. Maybe use an external speaker? Or see if you can select the audio and video inputs separately? Also, there are people using small audio amps and putting a speaker directly inside the 99/4A, maybe this would be a solution for you?

 

4. None of the jumpers have anything to do with the video modes. T80 (80-column) mode is set by software that is written to support 80-columns. There is a thread here on the forum that lists all the 99/4A software that supports 80-columns with the F18A, just do a search for "80-colums" and you should find it.

[Shift838]

one thing to make sure is that you removed the headsync metal strip that was screwed onto the TI clamshell.

 

Also if you just pulled the cable through the back of the console you can always take apart the console and dremel a small section where the cable will be at to make the case fit good again.

 

I have no issues with the F18A and my XB 2.7 cart.

[Omega-TI]

If you are having issues with it being "bloated"... be sure you have the old 9918 metal heat sink removed! The clam shell should fit normally. I made to cuts it the top half of the metal RF shield (clam shell) and bent the metal up so the ribbon cable could easily exit from the motherboard.

 

I also modified the metal plate that came with the F18A.

 

BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

Then I used a Dremel tool to cut a hole and then mounted the plate.

 

There are other ways as well. The biggest thing is DON'T RUSH, take your time. If you need to open it back up, I say go for it!

[Gazoo]

...

2.) Every cart I have tried works now EXCEPT my 2.7 cart from Tony. (I did have some issues with this before running XB slow and having to reboot a couple times before it would start)

...

 

Any help/advice would be wonderful!! Thank you

 

You may want to check your system for hardware issues. The XB v2.7 Suite cart shouldn't run slow or need to be rebooted to run properly. Make sure your connectors are clean and well seated on all your peripherals. The newest upgrade will allow you to validate your cartridge and tell you if your system is working correctly.

 

I cannot verify if the XB v2.7 Suite cartridge will work with a non-standard TI VDP device attached. It does function correctly with the standard 9918A and 9938 devices. I do not own any of the non-standard TI VDP devices, so I can not attest to their compatibility.

 

Gazoo

[budz2355]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have been running various programs trying to see if I can get my system to crash and so far it is holding up.

 

I did a similar thing, but cut away just a hole in the side of the top metal shielding and screwed the VGA adapter right into it (the metal holes fit perfectly) and just discarded the piece that Omega modded. I did have to jigsaw out a piece in the back of the TI.

 

One thing I see different from Vextrex Roli's pic and Omega's pic is that my VGA output seems to be lower (see pic).

 

At any rate, I might just open the darn thing back up.....another day. It took me about 3 hours to do the mod from the time I got the mail until my anxiety went down when I realized I hadn't bricked my entire system. I can't say I am happy with what I have done entirely though since I cannot get XB 2.7 to run and my cart port is kind of wackadoo.

 

~~~One final thing I wanted to say is I hope no one takes any of these posts as a stab at their awesome creations. There are so many awesome mods out there for the TI and I a noob to this so I am just trying to post my experiences, feedback and LOTS of questions~~~~

 

[Tursi]

You're going about it the right away. Everyone's a noob until they actually sit down and DO IT.

[gregallenwarner]

As for the audio, most TV's and monitors with VGA inputs have a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio jack associated with the VGA port. I believe the TI's AV cable uses an RCA plug for the audio. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you can find an RCA to 3.5mm adapter, you should be able to connect up the sound with no need for a separate external speaker.

[+OLD CS1]

As for the audio, most TV's and monitors with VGA inputs have a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio jack associated with the VGA port. I believe the TI's AV cable uses an RCA plug for the audio. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you can find an RCA to 3.5mm adapter, you should be able to connect up the sound with no need for a separate external speaker.

 

I do exactly this.

[+Lee Stewart]

 

I do exactly this.

 

Me, too.

 

...lee

[+arcadeshopper]

 

Me, too.

 

...lee

 

me three