A friend gave me a TI-86 graphing Calc. I wont turn on!!!

Error 07 Syntax
Means you made a typing error while entering the equation. Using the minus sign instead of the negation sign (change sign) (-), can produce a syntax error. Maybe you need to explicitly type the multiplication sign
y= (-) 1.5*x +3
Try entering it as 3 - 1.5*x

Have you tried adjusting the contrast by pressing then releasing the 2nd key, then pressing and holding the up-arrow key?

That depends on what you need to do with the calculator. The TI-83 is better at some things, the TI-86 is better at some other things, and the TI-92 is better at yet other things.
The 83 and the 86 both use the Z80 processor, though the 86 is quite a bit faster. The 92 uses a 68000 processor. Though the 83 has a faster processor than the 86, the 86 has some additional calculus capabilities.
You can download TI's manuals from their support website.
There's a good comparison of present and past models here.

Try zooming in. Position the cursor near the point of interest then press [ZOOM] 2.

The function is interesting just to the right of the origin.

Hello,
Use the TIconnect or TIGraphlink software to reinstall the programs. You will find the programs in the TI Program archives.
ftp://ftp.ti.com/pub/graph-ti/calc-apps/86/.

Hope it helps

Hello,
Use the stat menu. Enter 1st member of a pair in List1, Enter 2nd member of pair in List2. Graph the data as a scatter plot in stats plots.
Hope it helps.

try reseting ur calc. press 2nd->plus button->7->1->2 and then type the problem again

Srry my friend the ti 83 is no magnificent Ti-89. meaning: you have to solve it yourself. There is a method for graphing though. Set the equation equal to zero and then plug the stuff on the other side of the equation into a graph by pressing y= and then typing it in. Then hit graph. Wait for the graph and then hit 2nd calc and select zeros. Bring your cursor using hte arrow keys close to where the line hits the x axis and press enter and then do the same except to the right of that point and then press enter twice and it will display the y which should be the answer
There are quadratic formulas for calculators programmed in tibasic for the calc but other than that there is no way to solve it

Most likely you're trying to graph a function while you have the stat plot turned on. Turn off the stat plot and try it again.

Hello,
Here is how you make graphics of functions on the TI 86. The screen captures are from the TI86 Manual by texas Instruments.
Chapter 6 oth the manual concerns Grpahic tools.

Hope it helps.