I have a TI-83 Plus and a battery leaked a couple of months ago and I just noticed. With new batteries, the unit turnns on for about 45 seconds and then turns off. Is there a way to fix this?

hi adamsukienni,

Clean the battery damage up real good. Gently scrape to terminals of corrosion. Back in my day we use to put a little bit of coke cola to clean car battery posts to get a good connection. If you could put a little bit of coke on a Q-tip without getting any inside the calculator that would be good. Just let it soak in for about 30 minutes. And gently scrape the bad areas again clean of the corrosion. You have to clean it up to metal so, that when the battery is in it will be metal to metal connection.

If you can download new OS with another Ti83 Plus or, don't want to install the new OS goto Procedure 1.

Be ready to install the new ti 83 OS v.1.19. So, setup your computer with Ti Connect software and, have the new OS v.1.19 download ready and, in "My Documents \ My TI Data \ Downloads." If you need additional instructions on how to connect the computer to the calculator you can read my instructions at another posting I did. You can go to that posting by clicking, "Connection Instructions," under this paragraph. Just remember the OS was for a Ti 84 Plus and, your's is a Ti 83 Plus so, don't download the OS from the other posting. I'll give you a link below this paragraph to download the correct Ti 83 Plus OS v1.19 for your calculator here at your posting. Just follow the other posting to where I say, "You can also go back and, download the Ti 84 Plus guidebook too, if needed." After that statement the computer and, calculator get connected with the cable and, your not ready for that process, yet! When you come back to this posting and you have downloaded the new OS to the proper folder goto Procedure 1.

Additional computer to calculator connection instructions click, "Connection Instructions."

Ti 83 Plus OS v.1.19 download click, "Ti 83 Plus OS v.1.19". Save this download to "My Documents \ My TI Data \ Downloads".

Procedure 1.
Take all the batteries out for 10 minutes, including the very small one that you have to use a small philips screw driver to get it out. Watch out for the spring under the small battery, it might pop out. Replace all the batteries after 10 minutes with new ones, including buying a new small battery. The small one might cost about $5. I know it is expensive but, this might work.

A battery reset procedure should bring your Ti 83 Plus back to life.

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

If your Ti 83 Plus turns on when you put the batteries back in you do not have to re-install the OS. I just think it is better since, your OS might be corrupt.

The process below should reset your calculator.

1). Pressing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the [Up Arrow] key. This adjust the contrast in case the contrast was to low. Keep repeating if necessary for about 10 seconds and, then go to the next step. If calculator comes on and responds to key functions your done. Once again, if your calculator turns on after this procedure you do not have to re-install the new OS. You can quit these procedures now with a perfectly good calculator.

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

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". Connect to other Ti 83 Plus and, install OS from that calculator. Or, follow the instructions, I gave at the other posting "Connection Instructions" to reinstall the calculator operating system and, connect the computer and, calculator. You can start where, I say, "Link your computer and, Ti 84 Plus (Your's is a Ti 83 Plus) with the proper cable (USB or Black Link). Upon completion your Ti 83 Plus will be ready to use and, the new OS installed.

Please Install Calculator Software Now error
This message means that the operating system has been corrupted. These steps will allow you to update the OS.

Unit to Unit
• Connect two TI-83 Plus units by means of the data cable (short black cable that was prepackaged with the TI-83 Plus)
• Make sure that at least one of the TI-83 Pluses contains the current Operating System
• Select [2nd] Link
• Select "Send OS" option from the Link menu
• Make sure that the other unit still reads "Waiting Please Install"
• The OS should be downloading.

From the Computer
• Make sure you have the latest version of the TI Connect™ Software
• Download the latest version of OS for the TI-83 Plus to the desktop of the PC.
• Connect the appropriate TI-GRAPH LINK™ cable between the PC and TI-83 Plus.
• Since the TI-83 Plus is currently off, the TI-83 Plus will automatically turn on when the TI-GRAPH LINK Cable is inserted.
• On your computer, choose Start, Programs, TI Tools, TI Connect, TI OS Downloader.

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.
   

Try a new set of batteries, also make sure that the battery contacts touch the batteries properly and that they are clean, if old batteries have leaked it may have corroded the contacts.

Having received no response in over a month, I assume this is no longer a problem.

y did u replace it if iwas working fine?

it seems it have an internal problem of contact and you must get it repair, or consider buy a new one that model is a little old.

You should press the 2nd and then hold the down arrow to cahnge the contrast. If that doesn't work then you should try resetting the calculator by taking both the back up and main batteries for 45 seconds.

If it is under warranty, thats great. Understand that the typical service tech could charge $40-$100/hr. There is some internal damage that needs a tech to see or fix. If you can find a cheap tech in your area, get it looked at, otherwise at a price of around $100, you could get a new one. Good luck.

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.