My ti-83 plus has OS problem

maybe there is a bad connection from the battery compartment to the main circuit
you can open the calc and check the connectivity
hope it will help

Please Install Calculator Software Now error
This message means that the operating system has been corrupted. These steps will allow you to update the OS.

Unit to Unit
• Connect two TI-83 Plus units by means of the data cable (short black cable that was prepackaged with the TI-83 Plus)
• Make sure that at least one of the TI-83 Pluses contains the current Operating System
• Select [2nd] Link
• Select "Send OS" option from the Link menu
• Make sure that the other unit still reads "Waiting Please Install"
• The OS should be downloading.

From the Computer
• Make sure you have the latest version of the TI Connect™ Software
• Download the latest version of OS for the TI-83 Plus to the desktop of the PC.
• Connect the appropriate TI-GRAPH LINK™ cable between the PC and TI-83 Plus.
• Since the TI-83 Plus is currently off, the TI-83 Plus will automatically turn on when the TI-GRAPH LINK Cable is inserted.
• On your computer, choose Start, Programs, TI Tools, TI Connect, TI OS Downloader.

Yes. Go to education.ti.com. Click the Download>>Software and Apps>>TI83/84Plus Family. You will find all the applications you lost and some others too.
Download what you want on your computer. Then use thye TI connect software to transfer the apps on the calculator. You need the TI USB Silver Link cable. If you do not have a Silver Link cable but have the Black Graphlink cable, you need the Graphlink software.
All these softwares are available on the TI site under Connectivity software.

Alternatively you can transfer them from a working calculator. For this you need a calc-to-calc I/O cable.

Hello,

Check that the batteries are correctly inserted.
The screen may be too light to see anything.
To darken it
Press [2nd] key and release it.
Press and HOLD [UpArrow] till it darkens enough.

If that does not solve the problem here is what the TI Knowledge base has to say. Please read till the end. I hope it helps.

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:

Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a loss of applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create a backup using TI Connect™ first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjustthe contrast by pressing and releasing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. 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 it one more time to remove the message.
4. 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 TI83-family or Ti84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system (see below.)
5. 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.

Reinstalling the OS fot the TI84Plus

How do I correct the Error Waiting...Please Install Calculator SoftwareNow message on my TI-83 Plus family or TI-84 Plus family calculator?

If an operating system (OS) update fails or is interrupted, the calculator will be in an inoperable state with the message Waiting...Please install calculator software now.The most common cause of a transfer being interrupted is updating the operating system on a calculator with low batteries. Users will need to use the TI Connectivity cable and the TI Connect to send the operating system to the calculator. Make sure to have the latest version of TI Connect installed on the computer.
In order to install the software please follow these steps:
1. Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the computer and the calculator.
2. Click on Start >> Programs >> TI Tools >> TI Connect >> TI OSDownloader
3. Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS.
If the message "Error! Press any key to turn unit off. Then turn unit back on." appears on the graphing calculator, quickly, remove one battery from the calculator and reinstall it while the transfer is taking place.

If that does not solve the problem, you should contact Texas Instruments at [email protected] or www.ti.com/calc.

Hello,
Usually, you should not change all batteries at one go.

It is likely that the calculator is ON, but the screen is too light to enable user to see anything. If that is the reason, you can darken the screen.
Press the [2nd] key and release it. Press and hold the UpArrow till screen darkens enough.

You can reistall the system (if needed) by connecting it to a working TI83Plus calculator. You need the calc-to-calc cable.

If that does not work, here is what the Texas Instruments Knowledge Base says about the calculator not turning on.

Without further delay, here it is from the horse's mouth (TI Knowledge base)

I hope it helps.

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:

Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a loss of applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create a backup using TI Connect™ first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjustthe contrast by pressing and releasing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. 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 it one more time to remove the message.
4. 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 TI83-family or Ti84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system (see below.)
5. 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.

Reinstalling the OS fot the TI84Plus

How do I correct the Error Waiting...Please Install Calculator SoftwareNow message on my TI-83 Plus family or TI-84 Plus family calculator?

If an operating system (OS) update fails or is interrupted, the calculator will be in an inoperable state with the message Waiting...Please install calculator software now.The most common cause of a transfer being interrupted is updating the operating system on a calculator with low batteries. Users will need touse the TI Connectivity cable and the TI Connect to send the operating system to the calculator. Make sure to have the latest version of TI Connect installed on the computer.
In order to install the software please follow these steps:
1. Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the computer and the calculator.
2. Click on Start >> Programs >> TI Tools >> TI Connect >> TI OSDownloader
3. Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS.
If the message "Error! Press any key to turn unit off. Then turn unit back on." appears on the graphing calculator, quickly, remove one battery from the calculator and reinstall it while the transfer is taking place.

Hello,
Well, if screen shows the RAM CLEARED message, that means your calculator is working. Just press the [CLEAR] key, message will be erased and you are ready to crunch numbers.

Hope it helps.

try to change the contrast of the your calculator.

Hello,

Use the link below to install TIConnect software
http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/productDetail/us_ti_connect.html You can also download the latest OS there.

Install TI connect on your computer and run it to open the main Window. Then connect you calculator to a USB port and, in the TIConnect main window Click the TIDeviceInfo icon. Software will try to retrieve the info. If it does your calculator is fine.

If it tells you Device Not found , Click communication settings in same pop up window where it said Not found, and Select Device, Select Cable, Select Port and Click OK..

If you are lucky and it works, you should reinstall the OS, which can be downloaded from education.ti.com. You drag and drop the OS on the TIconnect main window. Calculator must of couse be connected to computer.

If you have problem with TIconnect, use the calc-to-calc cable to transfer the OS of a working calculator. Yous should be on Receive mode [2nd][Link] --->>Receive. (When both calculators are ready hit enter.) The other calculator, you guessed exactly right, must be on Send [2nd][Link][SEND][G:SendOS]. (When both calculators hit [ENTER])

If all that does not work, then it may be time to head for a place of worship to pray for its resurection, or look for a repair shop.
Hope it helps

Hello,
Reset the calculators memory [2nd][MEM][7:Reset][1:All Ram][2:Reset]
If that does not work

You should reinstall the system which you find here

http://education.ti.com/educationportal/downloadcenter/SoftwareList.do?website=US&tabId=1&paneId=2

Use the link below to install TIConnect software
http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/productDetail/us_ti_connect.html You can also download the latest OS there.

Install TI connect on your computer and run it to open the main Window. Then connect you calculator to a USB port and, in the TIConnect main window Click the TIDeviceInfo icon. Software will try to retrieve the info. If it does your calculator is fine.

If it tells you Device Not found , Click communication settings in same pop up window where it said Not found, and Select Device, Select Cable, Select Port and Click OK..

If you are lucky and it works, you can reinstall the OS, which can be downloaded from education.ti.com. You drag and drop the OS on the TIconnect main window. Calculator must of couse be connected to computer.

If you have problem with TIconnect, use the calc-to-calc cable to transfer the OS of a working calculator. Yous should be on Receive mode [2nd][Link] --->>Receive. (When both calculators are ready hit enter.) The other calculator, you guessed exactly right, must be on Send [2nd][Link][SEND][G:SendOS]. (When both calculators hit [ENTER])

If all that does not work, then it may be time to head for a place of worship to pray for its resurection, or look for a repair shop.
Hope it helps

I was having the same problem...I found the info below on another blog and it helped me fix my calculator problem. Take out all the batteries, hold the DEL button and put the batteries back in (keep holding the DEL button until all batteries are put back in). This will restart the calculator and restore it to its default settings...but it makes it work again!

"Reflashing the OS is probably the thing to do now. I think there's some trick that throws the calc into OS receiving mode. Hold down DEL while putting the batteries in? I don't remember if that's it. Go to 1-800-TI-CARES/[email protected] if you need specifics on getting the calc to take an OS upload given the state it's in."