I have a TI-83 that hasn't been used for a couple of years. I replaced tha 4 AAA batteries, turned on the calculator, but the screen just displayed one horizontal black line. I couldn't get it to respond to any button I pushed. I then replaced the round battery with a CR1620 ENERCELL brand battery. Still, only a black line across the screen when I turned on the calculator. There was a small anount of white, powdery residue in the battery compartment. I think it may have been from corrosion of previous batteries (it did not have batteries in it when I got it from my son, who had last used it a couple of years ago. It was working fine the last time he used it.) Is there any hope?

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.

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.

Here is a link to someone with a similar problem. It has many different ideas that may solve your problem. http://www.fixya.com/support/t407902-ti_83_black_screen_problem

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.
   

hi bckyshldn,

Did you 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. In the procedure that I give, you hold [DEL] and, re-insert 1 battery. I'm going to go ahead and, restate my instructions for a ti 83 Plus that won't turn on.

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 anybody could make the same mistake. and of course the calculator will never come on if the batteries aren't in correctly.

The process below should reset your calculator.

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

Press and release the 2ND key. Press and hold the Up-arrow key for a few seconds. Now, Pressing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. Is the screen showing any activity? If not continue the process.

1. 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. If calculator did not display the message try pressing and releasing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow for one second. goto step 2.
   
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". Follow the instructions for the
   TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system. If the calculator did not turn on connect the calculator to the computer and open Ti Connect. Next, open Device Explorer. Is the calculator asking to be installed? goto step 3.
   
3. 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. When or, if the calculator install the fresh OS goto step 4.
   
   
   

4. 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.
   
   
   

If the above process did not work. Try re-doing the procedure and, extend the time in step 4 by 5 minutes to 10 minutes before you put all the batteries back in the calculator.

Now just in case this calculator wasn't posted correctly. Here's my instructions for a Ti 83 that won't turn on. This is not the same procedure that the Ti 83 Plus has.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
   
2. Press and release the 2ND key. Press and hold the Up-arrow key for a few seconds. Now, Pressing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. Is the screen showing any activity? If not continue the process.
   
3. 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.
   

4. 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. And of course if the calculator does not turn on, I re-do the procedure and, increase the amount of time by 5 minutes to ten minutes that all the batteries are removed.
   

Remove all four AAA batteries. Press and hold the ON key for ten seconds. Replace the batteries. Turn the calculator on (you may have to adjust the screen contrast again).

If this doesn't do it, please add a comment to this post and we'll go on from there.

Hello,
When you change the batteries the display reverts to default setting. My optimistic guess is that the screen display is so light that you cannot see anything on it. This can be arranged.

A Try this before thinking of repairs.

1. Push the ON button.
   
2. Even if you see nothing, press the [2nd] key and release it.
3. Press and HOLD the UpArrow key until the screen darkens.
4. You may have to keep pressing UpArrow for a little while before you see anything.

B If that does not work

1. Remove one of the AAA batteries.
   
2. Press and hold the [CLEAR] key.
   
3. Whileholding [CLEAR], reinsert the AAA battery and then
   
4. turn the calculatoron.
   
5. The calculator should display the message "RAM Cleared".
   
6. Release the [CLEAR] key and then press it one more time to remove the message "RAM Cleared".

C. Third option

1. Remove batteries including the backup battery for 5minutes.
   
2. After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and
   
3. turn the calculator on.
   
4. Adjust the contrast if necessary.

D. Last option

The last option requires the reinstallation of the system. So to use it you must download the TIConnect 1.6 software from education.ti.com. You must have the TI USB SilverLink or the TI Black serial cables ready.You must be connected to the Internet.

1. Remove one of the AAA batteries.
   
2. Press and hold the [DEL] key.
   
3. Whileholding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then
   
4. turn the calculatoron.
   
5. The calculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now".
6. Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the computer and the calculator.
7. Click on Start >> Programs >> TI Tools >> TI Connect >> TI OSDownloader.
8. Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS.

Ifthe message "Error! Press any key to turn unit off. Then turn unit backon." appears on the graphing calculator, quickly, remove one batteryfrom the calculator and reinstall it while the transfer is taking place.

If all else fails you can contact Texas Instruments at [email protected]

Hope it helps.
Thank you for using FixYa.

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.

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.