99er Forums

Hello, I recently picked up a couple of TI-99/4a systems since I collect older video games as a hobby. They didn't come with controllers, so I just purchsed a set of joysticks:

www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320925391458

I cannot get them to work, and want to verify that I'm not doing something wrong. I have a few games, including Parsec which plays fine using the keyboard. As far as I know, I just plug the controllers into the left side port, and they should work right? I'm getting no response from the controllers whatsoever.

At first I accidentally plugged it into the rear 9 pin port. Did I ruin them? I need to know if I should contact the seller, or if I'm just not getting something right. Thanks!

Jeremy

You have the correct joysticks, so no problem there--and the cassette port shouldn't damage them. What do they do: If no up, make sure AlphaLock key is not down; if no movement, try the other joystick; if still no response, the joysticks may be defective. The best bet for a joystick on the TI is to get an Atari adapter and use an Atari-style joystick with micro switches in it. They are more responsive and last pretty much forever.

First of all, thanks for the quick response. I've heard about the alpaha lock, and that makes no difference. Basically I just get no response whatsoever... I push left, nothing happens, I push fire, nothing happens etc on both joysticks. I opened one of them up, and all around the contact points is white/clear and worn off looking.

Thanks for the recommendation on the atari joysticks, I may have to resort to that. I really prefer it to be original so I can get the classic intended experience though. I don't see how I could repair them unless you have a suggestion. Thanks again.

Jeremy

If you get a conductive pen (Radio Shack), you can coat the area again with it to get the original joysticks to work again, but it is usually not worth the effort--most of us just use the Atari option.