HOME AUTOMATION Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 5 hours ago, Ksarul said: The issue there is that some of those cartridges have too many GROMs to fit into the 32K space along with the GROM loader (YLOAD comes to mind here). Perhaps the FinalGROM 99, could provide the extra space needed for YLOAD, in the >6000->7000, range. Then, uhoh ...now-a-days we have 40K GROM carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 6 hours ago, HOME AUTOMATION said: Perhaps the FinalGROM 99, could provide the extra space needed for YLOAD, in the >6000->7000, range. Then, uhoh ...now-a-days we have 40K GROM carts. And note that most of the larger old-school GROM cartridges also had ROMs that resided in the >6000 space, which also limits what is possible with the FlashROM cartridge, as YLOAD can't be moved there for those cartridges either. As noted already, the FinalGROM is still the best all-around solution for cartridge images, as it allows that 40K of GROM and it has plenty of bank-switched memory in the >6000 space. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 18 hours ago, hafner said: Hi all, I have read the beginning and ending pages of this thread and am a little perplexed - apologies in advance if I am asking a dumb question. I have a bone-stock TI99/4A and have a newly purchased FlashROM 99 that came with a SD card with what appear to be the "Starter Pack" files as called out in the original post in this thread. They all work great! However, some of my favorites (Parsec, TI Invaders) are not included in that starter pack, so I found this thread and navigated to the WHTECH ftp site and found the excellent atariage.zip also in that same FlashROM99 directory. That file had all the games I found myself missing, and I dropped them onto my SD card as well. They show up in the FROM99 menu on the TI, but none of them work; only the original files work. 1. I thought - maybe these require a 32K expansion, but then again the original Parsec works just fine on an unexpanded TI99. 2. I thought - maybe these use some hardware method that FROM99 cartridge can't handle; but then again these are in the FlashROM99 directory at WHTECH - I wouldn't expect them to be there if they were incompatible with the cartridge. So maybe it's just operator error somehow. Any help would be appreciated - and again, apologies in advance if I'm asking a dumb question. you called it.. rom files end in 8 or 9.. they usually require 32k if they are an original TI game they definitely require 32k to operate as they are a grom program copied to rom and they then copy to 32k to run. This was a kludge for flashrom99 users to run grom games. Finalgrom99 can just run the original grom files. there's a finalgrom99 file in ftp.whtech.com under carts that has the original grom carts images that will run on a stock console this has been posted a lot here, and in the FAQ.. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 11 hours ago, HOME AUTOMATION said: Perhaps the FinalGROM 99, could provide the extra space needed for YLOAD, in the >6000->7000, range. Then, uhoh ...now-a-days we have 40K GROM carts. Tough day yesterday! Looks like by the end of it, I was over-thinking things a bit. ...Sorry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count9929A Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 (edited) On 4/5/2017 at 12:24 AM, Omega-TI said: Easy Bug & Mini Memory (FinalGROM 99 Required) (Does NOT require memory expansion) FG-TI Mini Memory.zip 890.85 kB · 141 downloads this one, as far as I understand, should be an image of the original TI's Mini Memory, with no feature added or modified, capable of using the RAM mode of the FG99, in order to allow writing to RAM in the space >7000->7FFF. In the zip, in addition to the dumps of the ROM and of the GROM (phm3058C.BIN and phm3058G.BIN) there is a 3 byte file called phm3058.CFG.txt which, if I got it right, should have the 'R' code that activates the RAM mode on the FG99. But how to use it? I have tried to put the .CFG file in the AD, alongside the C and G bins, but as result Easy Bug & Mini Memory run, but are unable to write in >7000->7FFF, so the RAM mode is not activated. What should I do, instead? Please notice that the "special Mini Memory image that features an additional SAVE menu option" (i.e., the one kindly provided and linked here by Ralph) works as intended in my FG99, and allows me to write in the space >7000->7FFF, so the hardware should be ok. But, for the sake of historical preservation, I would be interested in having a dump of the original TI's minimem working in the FG99 Edited March 17, 2023 by Count9929A added link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 (edited) The file you point to above... 3 hours ago, Count9929A said: On 4/4/2017 at 5:24 PM, Omega-TI said: Easy Bug & Mini Memory (FinalGROM 99 Required) (Does NOT require memory expansion) FG-TI Mini Memory.zip 890.85 kB · 141 downloads ...is the original MINI MEMORY, image. It does not provide RAM, at >7000->7FFF, when used with the FG99. To request RAM, at >7000 - >7FFF, when using a GROM/ROM image, the FG99, expects to find an "R" at position >03, in the "G" image file. There is no mention of a .CFG, file in the FG99's documentation. FinalGROM 99 - MANUAL(link) FG99, recognizes .bin, .txt, .avr, .pld. The FG99's, MINI MEMORY image, w/SAVE feature, uses machine language, embedded into the "G" file, to accomplish its task. Here is the latest official MINI MEMORY image, built for the FG99... This is my personal contribution to the cause... Edited March 17, 2023 by HOME AUTOMATION , ...added link 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count9929A Posted March 18, 2023 Share Posted March 18, 2023 On 3/17/2023 at 3:30 PM, HOME AUTOMATION said: The file you point to above... On 3/17/2023 at 1:17 PM, Count9929A said: On 4/4/2017 at 5:24 PM, Omega-TI said: Easy Bug & Mini Memory (FinalGROM 99 Required) (Does NOT require memory expansion) FG-TI Mini Memory.zip 890.85 kB · 141 downloads ...is the original MINI MEMORY, image. ok, then this is consistent to the behaviour I see. On 3/17/2023 at 3:30 PM, HOME AUTOMATION said: There is no mention of a .CFG, file in the FG99's documentation. FinalGROM 99 - MANUAL(link) But then I wonder why the OP has posted this link in this thread, which is supposed to be a repository for images intended to be used with the FR99/FG99... ok, it's usable, but not completely. I also wonder what's the purpose of including that CFG, that seems to contain exaclty the "R" byte needed to enable the FG99 RAM-mode. I'd like to ask to the OP, but it seems he is not an AA user anymore 😞 On 3/17/2023 at 3:30 PM, HOME AUTOMATION said: Here is the latest official MINI MEMORY image, built for the FG99... ok, this is the one I already have, with the added SAVE MINIMEM feature, that mimicks the backed-up RAM of the real Minimem cart On 3/17/2023 at 3:30 PM, HOME AUTOMATION said: This is my personal contribution to the cause... wow thanks you, I didn't spot this one! And congratulations, it's a very good job, seems really useful!! 🙂 Thanks you for the info, too! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisB Posted April 2, 2023 Share Posted April 2, 2023 (edited) Anyone have a copy of MASH9.BIN from this post? I'm putting together a FlashROM99 SD Card with as many voice enabled games as I can. Sofar I have: Alpine Buck Rogers Demon Fathom Microsurgeon Moon Mine Parsec Star Trek Edited April 2, 2023 by LouisB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 2, 2023 Share Posted April 2, 2023 1 hour ago, LouisB said: I'm putting together a FlashROM99... Some or all of the games you listed, use GROM, which is unavailable on the FlashROM99. Are you using versions that were converted to use GPL, from 32K? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaymenCoach Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 (edited) Ordered a Finalgrom 99 off of ebay and can't seem to get it to work. I have the right version of system(brass fingers). Weirdly, the only way that the cart will even come up is if the files are NOT extracted but still will not work. When I extract the files and load it up, all I get is a nonstop blinking red light. I have tried multiple sd cards and get the same results despite the brand and/or size. Is there anyone here that would be willing to lend me a hand getting this up and running? Hate to have to send it back to the seller in England if I don't need to and I can't seem to figure it out. Thanks in advance for any help you guys are willing to provide! Edited April 18, 2023 by BaymenCoach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MacRorie Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 Have you tried pressing the reset button on the FG99 *after* power up, but before pressing a key to get to the TI menu? The steady blinking light tends to indicate that it does not see files. Also, do the files have the correct extension on them? Finally, I would suggest getting the slowest/smallest SD card you can get and using that. You don't need the space and the FG99 tends to want slower/smaller SD cards. Hope this helps. -M 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhodes Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 (edited) 27 minutes ago, BaymenCoach said: Ordered a Finalgrom 99 off of ebay and can't seem to get it to work. I have the right version of system(brass fingers). Weirdly, the only way that the cart will even come up is if the files are NOT extracted but still will not work. When I extract the files and load it up, all I get is a nonstop blinking red light. I have tried multiple sd cards and get the same results despite the brand and/or size. Is there anyone here that would be willing to lend me a hand getting this up and running? Hate to have to send it back to the seller in England if I don't need to and I can't seem to figure it out. Thanks in advance for any help you guys are willing to provide! Are you SURE you are using a fat32 (not fat16/ntfs/etc) sd card? If you could, please make sure that the card is formatted properly, and place one single (one) .bin file on the root of the sd card. As the only choice possible, i believe the finalgrom should automatically boot it (if there is more then one choice of cartridge, the selection menu should be displayed) .bin files are definitely supposed to be not zipped on the sd card. I know you say you have tried different cards, but what sizes/brands exactly? Personally, i find the smaller capacity cards work best with my finalgrom (256mb - 1gig sandisk). If all else fails, please follow this link to @arcadeshopper's store, where you can get a preloaded sd card for the finalgrom: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/store/#!/FinalGROM99-SDcard-preloaded/p/97902133/category=24438345 Edited April 18, 2023 by jrhodes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 First guess... ...maybe it has something to do with one of the files. Maybe try these, one at a time... Than, both... PHM3030G.bin Defender.bin A-MAZE-ING, is GROM only. DEFENDER, is ROM only. I renamed these, so that they should be compatible... ...sadly, I don't have my FG99 setup right now. I got them from here... TOSEC 2012(link). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaymenCoach Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) Ok, so the files Home Automation attached both work on the card. Now my question is why doesn't the Finalgrom 99 image attached to this thread work? Clearly, I am loading it wrong somehow. Does anyone have one that they could share with me or explain how I am loading it incorrectly? Thanks again for the help, I'm getting closer... Edited April 19, 2023 by BaymenCoach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 hour ago, BaymenCoach said: why doesn't the Finalgrom 99 image attached to this thread work? ...I think there is more than one image on this thread. I've heard that these are some of the most current images... Index of /Cartridges/FinalGROM99 ...had some trouble finding them myself, as I was looking for, MODULES. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 AIR, these were some of my favs... On 3/18/2018 at 3:58 PM, Schmitzi said: The Archive (v001): FR99&FG99-BINs-Schmitzi-v001.zip ...from: 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 Why does this thread have a question mark in its title? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaymenCoach Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 Got it working! Thank you to all that chimed in, especially Home Automation! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 hour ago, OLD CS1 said: Why does this thread have a question mark in its title? That's questionable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 25 minutes ago, HOME AUTOMATION said: That's questionable. sensible_chuckle.gif 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 4 hours ago, BaymenCoach said: Does anyone have one that they could share with me or explain how... I meant to point you this way, as well... FinalGROM 99 MANUAL(link) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaymenCoach Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 For future newcomers, the issue I was having was that the Finalgrom 99 image file contains an image list file which is a text file. If you include this when you extract the files to your SD card, they will not work. I know this seems obvious but figured I could possibly prevent someone else from making my mistake in the future. Hopefully, this will serve to prevent frustration for future users. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaymenCoach Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 Anyone have a FinalGROM 99 label file that they would share with me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDMike Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 14 hours ago, OLD CS1 said: sensible_chuckle.gif 2 hours ago, BaymenCoach said: Anyone have a FinalGROM 99 label file that they would share with me? 14 hours ago, OLD CS1 said: sensible_chuckle.gif Dad jokes not allowed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted April 19, 2023 Share Posted April 19, 2023 3 hours ago, BaymenCoach said: Anyone have a FinalGROM 99 label file that they would share with me? 📛Official: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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