Ti-83 plus black screen

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. Adjust the 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 TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
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.

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.
   

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,
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.

From TI FAQs:

What troubleshooting can I try if the TI graphing calculator will not turn on?

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. Adjust the 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 TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
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.

This is from TI FAQS:

Solution 11900: Troubleshooting a TI Graphing Calculator That Will Not Turn On.

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. Adjust the 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 TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
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.

This is kinda a weird situation. Because it's usually the other way around. Your ram will clear if your calculator is frozen. So take out all 5 batteries from the back. Even the back up battery. Then reset it again. 2nd then + then 7 then 1 Then 2. Good luck.

These instructions are from education.ti.org, and worked for me.

1) Take out one of the AAA batteries
2) Hold down the CLEAR button
3) Put the AAA battery back in while still holding down the CLEAR button
4) Let go of the CLEAR button and turn the calculator ON
5) Press CLEAR to get rid of the error message.

Then you should be good! All the applications on my calculator were still intact, so despite the error message, the RAM was never actually cleared.

Batteries:
Make sure to replace the "battery backup" too the little lithium ion battery

Try Adjusting contrast:
Hold down "[2nd]" key press up or down arrow repeatedly to lighten or darken contrast.

First attempt reseting:
Step 1: Remove all the batteries
Step 2: Hold "Clear" key down
Step 3: Still holding "Clear" key reinstall batteries
Step 4: Still holding "Clear" key press "On" key until home screen is displayed.

Second shot reseting:
remove all batteries including lithium ion (backup battery), wait 3 hours and reinstall batteries.

Third Shot reseting:
Step 1: Remove a battery
Step 2: Hold down "DEL" key reinstall battery
Step 3: Possible msg pops up saying "Waiting ... Please install software" IGNORE msg and take out battery again
Step 4: Reinstall battery do not hold down "DEL" key

reseting will cause the handheld to loose all of its stored memory.

Hope that helps!

Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold CLEAR while reinstalling the AAA battery. Continue holding CLEAR button and press ON. Release buttons and press CLEAR again.