I've searched everywhere for some proper documentation on the TI-82 "Parcus" and ROM 19.006, and so far haven't found much except the modified crash.inc by Jumbo and the 82-rom.txt by Lindqvist and Justesen.

So I thought let's start a thread for collecting documentation about the Parcus, TI-OS 19.006, and possibly other more obscure Z80 models.

One thing I've confirmed now is that the Parcus uses TI-83 style link port management. That means the correct values for the link port are $D0..$D3 rather than $FC/$C0/etc.

There might be something different about key handling, too. Today I managed to crash HoustonTracker by pressing the VARS key, which dutifully acts as stop button in all other versions. Will update this post if I can find out more.

Yeah it's the one with ROM 19.006 that also had a design similar to the TI-82 Stats, TI-82 Stats.Fr and TI-76.Fr. It came out in 2001 during the final few years of the TI-82 life. One year earlier the TI-83 Parcus came out too.

http://datamath.org/Graphing/ZOOM_TI-82_1.htm

Ironically, the TI-83 Parcus model came out one year after the TI-83 Plus and the TI-83 Plus never saw a Parcus redesign.

Parcus calcs are ugly IMHO.

Not just that, they seem to be made from the cheapest plastic available, the keys feel akward, and the link port is a joke. Mine already starts to wear out after using it maybe 10 times.

Ironically, the TI-83 Parcus model came out one year after the TI-83 Plus and the TI-83 Plus never saw a Parcus redesign.

Fortunately it didn't, one might add. But well, it's not too late yet... maybe TI will release one in order to try and cash in on "developing" markets.


Wait what, there's an 83 Parcus? Oh boy... And as luck has it, it seems to use a different ROM and display driver, too.

Sorry for the load of edits

Hardware-wise?  It is, as far as I know, exactly the same hardware as the TI-83 Parcus, except that it has a 128k ROM chip instead of 256k.  So, indeed, the link port works the same way as on the 83, as does the battery testing circuit.

Software-wise, of course, it's still an 82 inside, and apart from the changes needed to support the new hardware, there's not much that was changed in the OS.

I think it's good to have one as a programmer, though, because it helps you beta-testing programs. I personally don't mind the redesign for the 82 but I liked the 83 like 82 model better, along with the 83 that looks like the 83+.

I think the TI-82 Stats has the same ROM as the 83 Parcus.

Indeed. As for the 82 Stats.Fr, I think the ROM is just translated to French with no other change, but the hardware is supposed to be different. IIRC it's similar to the 83+, but there is no way to install a 83+ OS on it without modifying the hardware to access the Flash or something I think.

And yeah 82 Stats prices are insane (it's nothing compared to 2009 Classpad 300 prices, tho. I remember seeing them for $380+ sometiems)

Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 24, 2013, 05:00:52 pm

I think it's good to have one as a programmer, though, because it helps you beta-testing programs.

Yep, that's pretty much why I bought it. Now I just need an 83+ and my testing setup will be more or less complete, save for the obscure ones.

Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 24, 2013, 05:00:52 pm

I think the TI-82 Stats has the same ROM as the 83 Parcus.

Did some reading, this seems indeed to be the case. In fact, the 83 Parcus and the 82 STATS are exactly the same machine. Which is good news for me, because I don't need to get an 82 STATS for the time being, then. They are way overpriced on the bay over here.

Indeed. As for the 82 Stats.Fr, I think the ROM is just translated to French with no other change, but the hardware is supposed to be different. IIRC it's similar to the 83+, but there is no way to install a 83+ OS on it without modifying the hardware to access the Flash or something I think.

And yeah 82 Stats prices are insane (it's nothing compared to 2009 Classpad 300 prices, tho. I remember seeing them for $380+ sometiems)

I actually lucked out and found one on Ebay for $24 with shipping.