In Case of Difficulty

[Weregoose]

The following text is quoted from the TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator Guidebook, § B-4.
It applies to the TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus SE, TI-84 Plus, and TI-84 Plus SE models.

Handling a Difficulty

To handle a difficulty, follow these steps.


1. If you cannot see anything on the screen, the contrast may need to be adjusted.
   To darken the screen, press and release [2nd], and then press and hold [[font="courier new"]▲] until the display is sufficiently dark.
   To lighten the screen, press and release [2nd], and then press and hold [[font="courier new"]▼] until the display is sufficiently light.
   
2. If an error menu is displayed, follow the steps in Chapter 1. Refer to pages B-5 through B-10 for details about specific errors, if necessary.
   
3. If the busy indicator (dotted line) is displayed, a graph or program has been paused; the TI-83 Plus is waiting for input. Press [ENTER] to continue or press [ON] to break.
   
4. If a checkerboard cursor () is displayed, then either you have entered the maximum number of characters in a prompt, or memory is full. If memory is full:
   
   
   • Press [2nd] [MEM] 2 to display the MEMORY MANAGEMENT DELETE menu.
     
   • Select the type of data you want to delete, or select 1:All for a list of all variables of all types. A screen is displayed listing each variable of the type you selected and the number of bytes each variable is using.
     
   • Press [[font="courier new"]▲] and [[font="courier new"]▼] to move the selection cursor ([font="courier new"]►) next to the item you want to delete, and then press [DEL].(Chapter 1.
     
   
   
5. If the calculator does not seem to work at all, be sure the batteries are fresh and that they are installed properly. Refer to battery information on pages B-2 and B-3.
   
6. If the calculator still doesn't work even through you are sure the batteries are sufficiently charged, you can try the two solutions in the order they are presented.
   
   
   • Download calculator system software as follows:
     
     
     1. Remove one battery from the calculator and then press and hold the [DEL] key while re-installing the battery. This will force the calculator to accept a download of system software.
        
     2. Connect your calculator to a personal computer with the TI-GRAPH LINK™ (optional) accessory to download current or new software code to your calculator.
        
   
   
7. II. If the above solution does not work, reset all memory as follows:
   
   
   1. Remove one battery from the calculator and then press and hold down the [CLEAR] key while re-installing the battery. While continuing to hold down the [CLEAR] key, press and hold down the [ON] key. When the home screen is displayed, release the keys.
      
   2. Press [2nd] [MEM] to display the MEMORY menu.
      
   3. Select 7:Reset to display the RAM ARCHIVE ALL menu.
      
   4. Press [[font="courier new"]►] [[font="courier new"]►] to display the ALL menu.
      
   5. Select 1:All Memory to display the RESET MEMORY menu.
      
   6. To continue with the reset, select 2:Reset. The message MEM cleared is displayed on the home screen.
      

Please retire the steps above before starting a new topic. After that, use the Forum Search Engine to its fullest extent. There's no excuse for a new thread to pop up asking a question that has been asked before, or in which case the very probable answer is already in the list above. Please provide as much detail as possible, so that your problem is well-understood and so that an efficient diagnosis can be made. And, as usual, we expect our members to follow the forum rules. This applies equally to those seeking help and those giving help.

Thank you,
–Weregoose

[Weregoose]

Error Conditions

When the TI-83 Plus detects an error, it displays ERR:message and an error menu. Chapter 1 describes the general steps for correcting errors. This table contains each error type, possible causes, and suggestions for correction.

ERROR TYPE
Possible Causes and Suggested Remedies


ARCHIVED
You have attempted to use, edit, or delete an archived variable. For example, dim(L1) is an error if L1 is archived.


ARCHIVE FULL
You have attempted to archive a variable and there is not enough space in archive to receive it.


ARGUMENT
A function or instruction does not have the correct number of arguments. See Appendix A and the appropriate chapter.


BAD ADDRESS
You have attempted to send or receive an application and an error (e.g. electrical interference) has occurred in the transmission.


BAD GUESS


• In a CALC operation, you specified a Guess that is not between Left Bound and Right Bound.
  
• For the solve( function or the equation solver, you specified a guess that is not between lower and upper.
  
• Your guess and several points around it are undefined.
  
Examine a graph of the function. If the equation has a solution, change the bounds and/or the initial guess.

BOUND


• In a CALC operation or with Select(, you defined Left Bound > Right Bound.
  
• In fMin(, fMax(, solve(, or the equation solver, you entered lower ≥ upper.
  


BREAK
You pressed the [ON] key to break execution of a program, to halt a DRAW instruction, or to stop evaluation of an expression.


DATA TYPE
You entered a value or variable that is the wrong data type.


• For a function (including implied multiplication) or an instruction, you entered an argument that is an invalid data type, such as a complex number where a real number is required. See Appendix A and the appropriate chapter.
  
• In an editor, you entered a type that is not allowed, such as a matrix entered as an element in the stat list editor. See the appropriate chapter.
  
• You attempted to store to an incorrect data type, such as a matrix, to a list.
  


DIM MISMATCH
You attempted to perform an operation that references more than one list or matrix, but the dimensions do not match.


DIVIDE BY 0


• You attempted to divide by zero. This error is not returned during graphing. The TI-83 Plus allows for undefined values on a graph.
  
• You attempted a linear regression with a vertical line.
  


DOMAIN


• You specified an argument to a function or instruction outside the valid range. This error is not returned during graphing. The TI-83 Plus allows for undefined values on a graph. See Appendix A and the appropriate chapter.
  
• You attempted a logarithmic or power regression with a ˉX or an exponential or power regression with a ˉY.
  
• You attempted to compute ΣPrn( or ΣInt( with pmt2 < pmt1.
  


DUPLICATE
You attempted to create a duplicate group name.


Duplicate Name
A variable you attempted to transmit cannot be transmitted because a variable with that name already exists in the receiving unit.


EXPIRED
You have attempted to run an application with a limited trial period which has expired.


Error in Xmit


• The TI-83 Plus was unable to transmit an item. Check to see that the cable is firmly connected to both units and that the receiving unit is in receive mode.
  
• You pressed [ON] to break during transmission.
  
• You attempted to perform a backup from a TI-82 to a TI-83 Plus.
  
• You attempted to transfer data (other than L1 through L6) from a TI-83 Plus to a TI-82.
  
• You attempted to transfer L1 through L6 from a TI-83 Plus to a TI-82 without using 5:Lists to TI82 on the LINK SEND menu.
  


ID NOT FOUND
This error occurs when the SendID command is executed but the proper calculator ID cannot be found.


ILLEGAL NEST
You attempted to use an invalid function in an argument to a function, such as seq( within expression for seq(.


INCREMENT


• The increment in seq( is 0 or has the wrong sign. This error is not returned during graphing. The TI-83 Plus allows for undefined values on a graph.
  
• The increment in a For( loop is 0.
  


INVALID


• You attempted to reference a variable or use a function where it is not valid. For example, Yn cannot reference Y, Xmin, ∆X, or TblStart.
  
• You attempted to reference a variable or function that was transferred from the TI-82 and is not valid for the TI-83 Plus. For example, you may have transferred Un-1 to the TI-83 Plus from the TI-82 and then tried to reference it.
  
• In Seq mode, you attempted to graph a phase plot without defining both equations of the phase plot.
  
• In Seq mode, you attempted to graph a recursive sequence without having input the correct number of initial conditions.
  
• In Seq mode, you attempted to reference terms other than (n-1) or (n-2).
  
• You attempted to designate a graph style that is invalid within the current graph mode.
  
• You attempted to use Select( without having selected (turned on) at least one xyLine or scatter plot.
  


INVALID DIM


• You specified dimensions for an argument that are not appropriate for the operation.
  
• You specified a list dimension as something other than an integer between 1 and 999.
  
• You specified a matrix dimension as something other than an integer between 1 and 99.
  
• You attempted to invert a matrix that is not square.
  


ITERATIONS


• The solve( function or the equation solver has exceeded the maximum number of permitted iterations. Examine a graph of the function. If the equation has a solution, change the bounds, or the initial guess, or both.
  
• irr( has exceed the maximum number of permitted iterations.
  
• When computing I%, the maximum number of iterations was exceeded.
  


LABEL
The label in the Goto instruction is not defined with a Lbl instruction in the program.


MEMORY
Memory is insufficient to perform the instruction or function. You must delete items from memory (Chapter 1 before executing the instruction or function.
Recursive problems return this error; for example, graphing the equation Y1=Y1.
Branching out of an If/Then, For(, While, or Repeat loop with a Goto also can return this error because the End statement that terminates the loop is never reached.


MemoryFull


• You are unable to transmit an item because the receiving unit's available memory is insufficient. You may skip the item or exit receive mode.
  
• During a memory backup, the receiving unit's available memory is insufficient to receive all items in the sending unit's memory. A message indicates the number of bytes the sending unit must delete to do the memory backup. Delete items and try again.
  


MODE
You attempted to store to a window variable in another graphing mode or to perform an instruction while in the wrong mode; for example, DrawInv in a graphing mode other than Func.


NO SIGN CHNG


• The solve( function or the equation solver did not detect a sign change.
  
• You attempted to compute I% when FV, (N*PMT), and PV are all ≥ 0, or when FV, (N*PMT), and PV are all ≤ 0.
  
• You attempted to compute irr( when neither CFList nor CFO is > 0, or when neither CFList nor CFO is < 0.
  


NONREAL ANS
In Real mode, the result of a calculation yielded a complex result. This error is not returned during graphing. The TI-83 Plus allows for undefined values on a graph.


OVERFLOW
You attempted to enter, or you have calculated, a number that is beyond the range of the calculator. This error is not returned during graphing. the TI-83 Plus allows for undefined values on a graph.


RESERVED
You attempted to use a system variable inappropriately. See Appendix A.


SINGULAR MAT


• A singular matrix (determinant = 0) is not valid as the argument for ˉ¹.
  
• The SinReg instruction or a polynomial regression generated a singular matrix (determinant = 0) because it could not find a solution, or a solution does not exist.
  
This error is not returned during graphing. The TI-83 Plus allows for undefined values on a graph.


SINGULARITY
expression in the solve( function or the equation solver contains a singularity (a point at which the function is not defined). Examine a graph of the function. If the equation has a solution, change the bounds or the initial guess or both.


STAT
You attempted a stat calculation with lists that are not appropriate.


• Statistical analyses must have at least two data points.
  
• Med-Med must have at least three points in each partition.
  
• When you use a frequency list, its elements must be ≥ 0.
  
• (Xmax - Xmin) / Xscl must be ≤ 47 for a histogram.
  


STAT PLOT
You attempted to display a graph when a stat plot that uses an undefined list is turned on.


SYNTAX
The command contains a syntax error. Look for misplaced functions, arguments, parentheses, or commas. See Appendix A and the appropriate chapter.


TOL NOT MET
You requested a tolerance to which the algorithm cannot return an accurate result.


UNDEFINED
You referenced a variable that is not currently defined. For example, you referenced a stat variable when there is no current calculation because a list has been edited, or you referenced a variable when the variable is not valid for the current calculation, such as a after Med-Med.


VALIDATION
Electrical interference caused a link to fail or this calculator is not authorized to run the application.


VARIABLE
You have tried to archive a variable that cannot be archived or you have tried to unarchive an application or group.
Examples of variables that cannot be archived include:


• Real numbers LRESID, R, T, X, Y, Theta, Statistic variables under Vars, STATISTICS menu, Yvars, and the AppldList.
  


VERSION
You have attempted to receive an incompatible variable version from another calculator.


WINDOW RANGE
A problem exists with the window variables.


• You defined Xmax ≤ Xmin or Ymax ≤ Ymin.
  
• You defined θmax ≤ θmin and θstep > 0 (or vice versa).
  
• You attempted to define Tstep=0.
  
• You defined Tmax ≤ Tmin and Tstep > 0 (or vice versa).
  
• Window variables are too small or too large to graph correctly. You may have attempted to zoom in or zoom out to a point that exceeds the TI-83 Plus's numerical range.
  


ZOOM


• A point or a line, instead of a box, is defined in ZBox.
  
• A ZOOM operation returned a math error.
  

[Recursive Acronym]

If your screen isn't working right on assembly games for the 83+/84+ series, and you have a regular 83+, look at this topic. If you have a different calculator in this series, look here.

To prevent games from crashing your 89/92/Voyage 200 calculator, install PreOS.

[mommyfixit]

What do I do if all I can see on the screen when I turn it on is a black horizontal line across the center of the screen that fades after a couple of seconds? I have tried messing with the contrast, clearing memory with the battery out and holding down CLEAR while reinserting and turning it back on, and even reinstalling the O.S. from another calculator after removing a battery and holding down DEL while I reinsert. For the latter, I get a black screen which, if I tilt it, I can see the message about it being ready to receive the new O.S., or whatever that was. It shows it updating by percentages, then when it is done the screen goes blank again. Still just a black line across the screen when I turn it on. Is it really dead, or is there something I can do about it?

[Xeda112358]

Sorry, I am not sure what is going on. It seems to me that something is going on with your LCD screen.