Staying on but not typing

Are you sure one of the batteries isn't in backwards? That will make it behave like that.

TI calculators have an annoying habit of dimming the screen when the batteries are changed so that it appears as if the calculator isn't turning on. Turn the calculator on (or at least press the ON key). Press and release the 2ND key. Press and hold the Up-arrow key for a few seconds and see whether the screen becomes legible. Does it?

Good morning, afternoon, evening or night; whatever time of day you are viewing this solution post. Thank you for choosing FixYa to assist you. You are having problems because you calculator won't turn on. I think you should try changing the batteries. Did you know that your calculator has two batteries powering it? Not only are the 4 AAA batteries powering it, but there is also a CR 3V Lithium Back Up battery powering it as well. First, try changing the 4 AAA batteries. If that still does not power your calculator properly, you will need to replace the lithium back up battery. You can find this at a department store or store that carries electronics. To do this, open your regular battery compartment. Above the AAA batteries is a compartment that says "BACK UP BATTERY CR1616 OR CR1620" with a picture of it. Use a small crosshead screwdriver to open the compartment. Take the old battery out and replace it with the new one. Rescrew the lithium battery compartment back on and close the AAA battery compartment. Turn on your calculator and see if that works. I hope this solution solves this.

I've had this issue before with my TI-83 Plus. I'm not sure exactly the solution I used, but these steps progress through the mildest to most extreme methods of fixing the calculator.

Solution 1: Take the batteries out.

Odds are you've tried this already, but it bears mentioning.

With the calculator on, remove the triple A batteries housed in the back. After a few seconds, replace them and turn the calculator on.

Solution 2: Clear the RAM.

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.

Solution 3: Reinstall the operating system

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"

Here is the website to reinstall your OS. First you'll need the TI-Connect software.

Solution 4: Remove all sources of power. This is a risky move, but if your calculator will absolutely not work after you try even reinstalling the operating system, it might be your last hope.

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.

The 48GX runs on three AAA type alkaline batteries. However, if the device was unused that long, the button cells used for backing up the RAM cards may also be depleted, and the calculator will report "low battery" displaying the ((.)) symbol, even with fresh AAA cells installed.

The RAM card mounted batteries are type CR2016.

Main batteries:

• Remove the calculator battery compartment door by pressing down and sliding it off away from the calculator.
• Turn the calculator and shake the batteries out.
• Replace with a fresh set of AAA alkaline batteries. Polarity is marked on the bottom of the battery compartment.
• Replace the battery compartment door by sliding it back in place.

RAM card batteries:

• Turn the calculator over and remove the plastic cover over the plug-in card ports (display-end of the calculator).
• HP recommends to turn on the calculator while replacing the RAM card battery to avoid memory loss. I assume, your HP48GX has no marbles to recover by now anyway, so it does not matter, I guess.
• Near the left side of the end of the card. you'll find the nail grip in the black plastic battery holder. Use a thumbnail to gently pull out the battery holder. There is one battery in each card (additional cards are options).
  
• Remove the old battery from the holder and replace by a new CR2016 button cell. The "+" side of the battery should point into direction of the calculator's front.
• Re-insert the holder with the new battery and check the RAM card is properly seated still.
• Close the compartment by sliding back in the cover.
  

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 mixedgamer12,
The process below should reset your Ti84 plus calculator. If you do this process your RAM memory will be cleared and, you will have to re-install the Ti84 plus calculator's OS.

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.
   
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 in step 3. If the calculator still won't turn on connect the calculator to the computer and, open Ti Connect. Next, open Device Explorer. Is the calculator asking to be installed? Can you go into Device Explorer?
   
3. Steps to re-installing the operating system:
   

   ~Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the PC and the calculator if you haven't already.
   ~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.
   

5. If the above process did not work to turn your calculator on, try re-doing the above process. Next time extend the time in step 4 by 5 minutes to 10 minutes before you put all the batteries back in the calculator.
   

Hi calcu,
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 process and, extend the time in step 4 by 5 minutes to 10 minutes before you put all the batteries back in the calculator.

The button cell backup battery keeps the memory electrically refreshed when the calculator is turned OFF. The necessary power for regular use is supplied by the 4 AAA batteries (main power). That nothing happened when you put in a fresh set of (expensive) lithium batteries may be due to the screen being too dim to see anything.

If the calculator displays RAM CLEARED each time it is turned on, it may be due to a depleted backup battery. The battery model number is CR1616 or CR1620. On my TI84PLUS the backup battery is of type 303 (Sony) or SR44SW (Maxell).

Yes, the back up battery must be replaced.