Tag: ti-84

TI-84 Battery Leak (How to repair your TI-84 Plus Pocket SE)

Today I had a bad shock when my trusted TI-84 Plus Pocket SE Calculator could not be turned on. I just purchased it last year, and TI-84 Calculators are not exactly cheap as every JC student in Singapore would know.

On Amazon, the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator, Silver sells for a whopping $174.99, which is almost like half the price of a smart phone. Students in Singapore can buy it at a slightly lower Student Price, but however as I am no longer a student, I would probably need to pay the full price, unless I get one of my cousins to  help me buy one.

How to Repair the TI-84 (Cannot even switch on)

First, I did the common sense approach of changing all the AAA and even the button LR44 battery. No luck…

ti-84 battery leak
TI-84 Battery Leak

I noticed something strange happened to one of the batteries. A layer of yellow crust has coated the battery case. (I was using Ikea batteries)

I followed the 5 steps I found on the TI-84 troubleshooting site:

  1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
  2. Adjust the contrast by pressing and releasing [2ND] followed by pressing and releasing [▲]; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
  3. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold [CLEAR]. While holding [CLEAR], reinsert the AAA battery and press [ON]. The calculator should display the message “RAM Cleared“. Release [CLEAR] and then press it one more time to remove the message.
  4. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold [DEL]. While holding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then press [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.

After trying all the 5 steps, I still couldn’t get the TI-84 to switch on.

I then used a piece of tissue to wipe of the battery contacts which were coated with the battery leak. Then, I tried step 5 again.

Thank God, the TI-84 sprung back to life again, and I can save $200 for now…

H2 Math Condensed Notes

For those taking H2 Maths, do check out my H2 Maths Condensed Notes with Bundled Prelim Papers!

ti-84 repaired
TI-84 back to life
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Recommended Graphics Calculator for JC

Source: http://www.seab.gov.sg/calculatorList/GuidelinesCalculators.pdf

Personally, the calculator I like most is the TI-84 series. There is no big difference between the different TI-84 models, all are good to use.

graphical calculator

Where to buy:

Buying from school is the best option, as often there is a discount. Otherwise, you can buy from a distributor at Bras Basah Complex: Learning InterActive Pte Ltd The Resource Centre Blk 231 Bain Street #04-39 Bras Basah Complex Singapore 180231 (http://li.com.sg/html/li_contactus_details.html)

If your calculator is damaged, do not throw it away, as there is a chance of a trade in (pay around $90 to trade in the old calculator for a new one).