Calculator General FAQ

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The WikiTI Calculator FAQ.

FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. You should start to seek your answer here and in the other FAQs before asking. There are currently active users willing to help on the Cemetech, Omnimaga, and CodeWalrus forums.

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Introduction

Linking

How do I connect my calculator to my computer?

First, you need a cable to connect the calculator. Most new calculators ship with one. For older calculators, you might need to buy a SilverLink cable. You also need a linking program. There are several:

  • TI-Connect (Only for Mac and Windows, NOT compatible with the CE)
  • TI-Connect CE (Only for Mac and Windows, specifically for the CE)
  • TiLP (compatible with several models)
  • Ticalc.link (only compatible with TI-84 plus)

Where do I get programs for my calculator?

For a large collection of programs you can check out ticalc.org or the forum links below.


Calculator Specific

TI-83

TI-83/84+[SE]

Can I downgrade my OS?

First let's check the bootcode. Click [mode][alpha][ln].

The bootcode and your base code (the OS) versions will be presented. If the bootcode is anything below 1.03 you can downgrade by simply sending an older .8xu or a different OS like KnightOS to your calculator.

What do I do if my bootcode is 1.03

TI implemented an RSA-SHA256 encryption method to their bootcode that prevents unsigned OSes and downgrades from happening, but TI's attempts were thwarted. There is a handy tool called UNSIGNED that you can send to your calculator. It will patch the boot code after you change the certificate revision and/or click Signed OS's. Once that happens you can send any .8xu file you want to your calculator.

TI-84+/CE

Why can't I run assembly programs on my TI-84+ CE?

TI has decided that from OS version 5.5.5, assembly programs were a security threat and have hence removed the functionality to run them from TI-OS. A full explanation video by Thelastmillennial can be found here.

However, not all hope is lost. A workaround has been made to restore assembly functionality.

  1. Send arTIfiCE to your calculator
  2. For easier use of assembly programs: install Cesium
  3. For even more convenience: install asmhook

Can I downgrade my OS?

Placeholder

How do I reset the calculator?

Sometimes it will happen that the calculator freezes or that you just need to reset it. There are several options for resetting. To reset your calculator you can:

  • Press the reset button at the back of your calculator (if your calculator is only frozen, press it shortly, if you want a complete RAM reset, hold it for some seconds.)
  • Press [2nd]-[+]-[7], then you can choose what you want to reset. This of course doesn't work if it is frozen.

Why is there stuff on my screen going through my graphs?

Some programs use the graph screen to draw the interface of the program. Sometimes, this isn't cleared by the program.
This can be solved very easy by pressing: [2nd][prgm][1][enter].

Programming and developing

What programming languages are possible?

That depends on your calculator.

TI-83(84)+[SE] 

z80
C
Axe Parser
Grammer 2
TI-BASIC
BBC BASIC

TI-84 Plus CE / TI-83 Premium CE 

ez80 ASM
C & C++
ICE
TI-BASIC
Python (Exclusive to the French "TI-83 Premium CE Edition Python" and European "TI-84 Plus CE Python Edition")

Where or how do I make programs for my calculator?

First, you will probably be using the TI-BASIC Editor found by pressing [prgm][right] and selecting the program to edit. The programs on your calc can be made to fit a certain syntax for the different compilers and parsers that you may install on your calculator. The only two languages that you can use on your calculator are TI-BASIC and hex machine code (assembly), until you install an application such as Grammer 2, Axe, or ICE. These languages enable the user to have more control over their calculator while still allowing you to program on-calc. Another thing you might consider is BASIC libraries. BASIC libraries use tokens to pass arguments to their own flash library while still executing TI-BASIC. Hex machine code is not recommended. If you insist on programming z80 on-calc, you could try Mimas.

If you decide to dabble in some low level programming languages you will want to use a computer. C is a work in progress on the TI-84+ but is still used in KnightOS. C is fully supported on any ez80 calculator and C++ is getting there. You will want to use the toolchain and libraries found here. For ez80 and z80 all you need is a text editor and an assembler. The two most commonly used assemblers, both for z80 and ez80, are spasm-ng and fasmg. spasm-ng is easier to set up, but the CE C toolchain uses fasmg because of its more advanced functionality and fewer bugs. If you would like to use fasmg on the CE, it is recommended you use the version that ships with the C toolchain as it is already set up with the correct include files.

Below are some Online IDEs/Assemblers/Emulators

Other FAQs and Forum Links

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