My TI-83 plus calculator doesn't work

TI calculators have an annoying habit of dimming the screen when the batteries are changed so that it appears as if the calculator isn't turning on. Turn the calculator on (or at least press the ON key). Press and release the 2ND key. Press and hold the Up-arrow key for a few seconds and see whether the screen becomes legible. If this doesn't do it, please reply to this post and we'll go on from there.

try taking out the triple A batteries and leaving the calculator to sit with them out for a minute or so, replace them and check if it's fixed. If that doesn't work you can do the same, but take out the small button back up battery as well. If you're still not having luck you should call ti cares (800-842-2737) they're usually helpful.

The 86 has more memory. It also has some advanced calculus capabilities the 83 doesn't. However you're much more likely to see examples for the 83 in textbooks and other references.

TI-83:
http://www.ticalc.org/basics/calculators/ti-83.html

TI-83 Plus:
http://www.ticalc.org/basics/calculators/ti-83plus.html

TI-86:
http://www.ticalc.org/basics/calculators/ti-86.html

hi adamsukienni,

Clean the battery damage up real good. Gently scrape to terminals of corrosion. Back in my day we use to put a little bit of coke cola to clean car battery posts to get a good connection. If you could put a little bit of coke on a Q-tip without getting any inside the calculator that would be good. Just let it soak in for about 30 minutes. And gently scrape the bad areas again clean of the corrosion. You have to clean it up to metal so, that when the battery is in it will be metal to metal connection.

If you can download new OS with another Ti83 Plus or, don't want to install the new OS goto Procedure 1.

Be ready to install the new ti 83 OS v.1.19. So, setup your computer with Ti Connect software and, have the new OS v.1.19 download ready and, in "My Documents \ My TI Data \ Downloads." If you need additional instructions on how to connect the computer to the calculator you can read my instructions at another posting I did. You can go to that posting by clicking, "Connection Instructions," under this paragraph. Just remember the OS was for a Ti 84 Plus and, your's is a Ti 83 Plus so, don't download the OS from the other posting. I'll give you a link below this paragraph to download the correct Ti 83 Plus OS v1.19 for your calculator here at your posting. Just follow the other posting to where I say, "You can also go back and, download the Ti 84 Plus guidebook too, if needed." After that statement the computer and, calculator get connected with the cable and, your not ready for that process, yet! When you come back to this posting and you have downloaded the new OS to the proper folder goto Procedure 1.

Additional computer to calculator connection instructions click, "Connection Instructions."

Ti 83 Plus OS v.1.19 download click, "Ti 83 Plus OS v.1.19". Save this download to "My Documents \ My TI Data \ Downloads".

Procedure 1.
Take all the batteries out for 10 minutes, including the very small one that you have to use a small philips screw driver to get it out. Watch out for the spring under the small battery, it might pop out. Replace all the batteries after 10 minutes with new ones, including buying a new small battery. The small one might cost about $5. I know it is expensive but, this might work.

A battery reset procedure should bring your Ti 83 Plus back to life.

Make sure the batteries are in correctly? The batteries alternate negative/positive, positive/ negative and so on. The first time I put the batteries in, I didn't have them in correctly. I know if it happen to me that anybody could make the same mistake. And of course, the calculator will never come on if the batteries aren't in correctly.

If your Ti 83 Plus turns on when you put the batteries back in you do not have to re-install the OS. I just think it is better since, your OS might be corrupt.

The process below should reset your calculator.

1). Pressing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the [Up Arrow] key. This adjust the contrast in case the contrast was to low. Keep repeating if necessary for about 10 seconds and, then go to the next step. If calculator comes on and responds to key functions your done. Once again, if your calculator turns on after this procedure you do not have to re-install the new OS. You can quit these procedures now with a perfectly good calculator.

Please be prepared to re-install the calculator's OS, if you run through this process.

2). Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [DEL] key. While holding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display
"Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Connect to other Ti 83 Plus and, install OS from that calculator. Or, follow the instructions, I gave at the other posting "Connection Instructions" to reinstall the calculator operating system and, connect the computer and, calculator. You can start where, I say, "Link your computer and, Ti 84 Plus (Your's is a Ti 83 Plus) with the proper cable (USB or Black Link). Upon completion your Ti 83 Plus will be ready to use and, the new OS installed.

Hi imagenius1,

You need to free up some memory. Try clearing your RAM memory. Your calculator should operate properly afterward.

Press [2nd] [MEM] [7] [1] [2]

If the steps above did not reset the memory to your Ti 83 family calculator try the procedures below.

Please be prepared to re-install the calculator's OS if you run through this process.

If you have a straight Ti 83 without the Plus or, Silver Edition label goto (Procedure 2) below. If your Ti calculator is a Ti 83 Plus or better goto (Procedure 1).

(Procedure 1).

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
   

2. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [CLEAR] key. While holding [CLEAR], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display the message "RAM Cleared". Release the [CLEAR] key and, then press [CLEAR] one more time to remove the message.
   

1. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [DEL] key. While holding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Follow the instructions for the TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
   

   
   

   
   

2. Steps to re-installing the operating system:
   ~Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the PC and the calculator.
   ~Click on Start >> Programs >> TI Tools >> TI Connect >> TI OSDownloader
   ~Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS. If you could not install the new OS on your calculator goto step 4.
   
   
3. Remove all of the batteries including the round lithium battery for 5 minutes. After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and turn the calculator on. Adjust the contrast if necessary.
   
   
4. If the above process did not reset your calculator. Try re-doing (Procedure 1) and, extend the time in step 4, by 5 minutes to 10 minutes before you put all the batteries back in the calculator.
   
   

(Procedure 2).


For a straight Ti 83 without the Plus or, Silver Edition label try the procedure below.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
   







2. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [ON] key for 20 seconds. Reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on.
   

TI calculators have an annoying habit of dimming the screen when the batteries are changed so that it appears as if the calculator isn't turning on. Turn the calculator on (or at least press the ON key). Press and release the 2ND key. Press and hold the Up-arrow key for a few seconds and see whether the screen becomes legible.

If that doesn't do it, please reply to this post and we'll go on from there.

Having gone over a month without a response, I assume this is no longer a problem.

Buy a new one.

Check the links below:

TI-83-Plus Calculator Basics Tips and Techniques

TI-83 GUIDEBOOK

Part II: Texas Instruments TI-83, TI-83 Plus Graphics Calculator ...


Getting Started with the TI-83 and TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculators


INTRODUCTION TO THE TI-83 AND TI-83 PLUS Basics


Getting started Texas Instruments TI-83 and TI-83 plus calculators


Calculator Notes for the TI-83 and TI-83 Plus


Texas Instruments. TI-83 Plus graphing calculator - Guidebook ...

try pressing 2nd then hold in down arrow to change the contrast