Calculator software? How do you fix the "waiting... Please install calculator software now" error?

Part A or B will reset the memory. Part C answers your specific concerns. Please read the whole post before attempting the procedures described here.

The first diagnostics you should perform are:

1. Make sure batteries are good and inserted correctly, respecting the polarity diagram: Yes, I myself made this mistake and it must be ruled out before doing anything else.
2. After a change of batteries, the screen contrast can change: It may become too dark or too light. If it is too dark, you would not think about a malfunction because you see something on the scree. BUT it the screen is too light, it is easy to conclude that there is a malfunction because you do not see what the calculator is doing after you press a key.
   
3. So, the second measure is to adjust the contrast. Press [2nd] key and Release it. Then Press and HOLD the UpArrow until screen is dark enough.
4. A third easy measure is to use the TIConnect software (available on education.ti.com) to retrieve the device Info, and if calculator is recognized to reinstall or update the OS. You need a TI USB SilverLink cable.

1. Remove one of the AAA batteries.
   
2. Press and hold the [CLEAR] key.
   
3. While holding [CLEAR], reinsert the AAA battery and then
   
4. turn the calculator on.
   
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".

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. (see above)
   

1. Remove one of the AAA batteries.
   
2. Press and hold the [DEL] key.
   
3. While holding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then
   
4. turn the calculator on.
   
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 OS Downloader.
8. Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS.

• Serial Black cable that used to ship with the TI 83 Plus. It connects to a serial port on a computer and to the I/O port on the calculator. It requires the Graph Link software available on the TI web site (Downloads, Software and Apps, Connectivity)
• USB Silver Link cable. It connects a USB port on the computer to the the I/O port on the calculator. It requires the TI connectivity software, also available on the TI web site.
  
• An I/O cable to connect two calculators through their I/O ports.