This page is meant to clear up some problems that many people encounter with they're TI-86 calculators. If you think something is missing from this page, please email me, Mike, and I'll will add it to the help page. Until then, select one of the following help topics:
TI-86 FAQs
Sending Files from your Computer to your Calculator
Unzipping Downloaded Files
Running BASIC and Assembly Programs
Assigning Functions to the Custom Menu
How to Cheat with the TI-86 :)
TI-86 FAQs
These seem to be the most frequently asked questions about the TI-86 in general.
Q: How do I send games to my calculator?
A: Click here to find out.
Q: I can't send the files to my calculator because it says they're in zip format. What's wrong?
A: You have to unzip the file first. Click here for more info on unzipping files.
Q: When I try to run a program on my calculator, I get and error that looks like this:
What's wrong with the program?
A: Most likely, you're trying to run an assembly program like you would a BASIC program. It wont work that way. Click here for info on running programs. If you follow the instructions there and still get an error, it's probabably an error in the program.
Q: How come in the Graphlink program, I get a transmission error even though my calculator is turned on and my Graphlink cable is connected to the I/O port?
A: It could be that in the Graphlink program, the settingings are telling the program your cable is connected to some other port other than the one that it actually is connected to. For example, if your cable is connected to the port COM2, but the software settings say it's connected to COM1, then you'll get an error. Go to the "Link" pull-down menu and change the settings. If you do that and you still get an error, you might be doing something wrong on the calculator itself. You musts make sure that the calculator is on the Home Screen, not the "Link/Recieve" menu. The Home Screen is the screen where all you see is the cursor (the one you do calulations like 1+2, but hopefully a problems a little harder...). If you still get errors, then see if your cable is connected firmly in the proper port. If you still get errors, there's something wrong with either your communications port or your link cable.
Q: Do I need an assembly shell to run assembly programs, like a TI-85 does?
A: No, you can run them by using the Asm( ) function. Click here for more info on running programs.
Q: Can I run assembly programs, like Zshell games, from a TI-85 on my TI-86?
A: Not unless you have an assembly shell with TI-85 emulation. Click here to go to the Assembly Shell Page.
Q: Can I run TI BASIC programs for the TI-85 on my TI-86?
A: Yes. You don't need any special software to run BASIC programs from the TI-85.
Q: When I try to run an assembly program on my calculator, I get and error that looks like this:
What's wrong with the program?
A: The so-called assembly program is probably a BASIC program. Run it as you would a BASIC program. Click here for info on running programs. If the problem persists, it's probabably an error in the program.
Sending Files from your Computer to your Calculator
The first two things you need to send files from your computer to your calculator is a and the appropriate software. If you don't already have a link cable, then go to an office supply store, Like Staples or Office Depot and buy one. Then go to the TI Calculator Web site and download the Graphlink86 software. I also suggest you down load Graphlink85, so you can send TI-85 programs to your calculator as well. The rest of the instructions are assuming you have a cable and the software.
1. Download the program you wish to send to your calculator from a web site such as this one.
2. Unzip the file if nessesary.
3. Turn on your calculator and connect it to the Graphlink, which should be pluged into a port on the back of your computer. Then start the TI Graphlink program on your computer.
4. From the TI Graphlink software, select "Send..." from the "Link" pull-down menu.
5. Select the directory your files are in.
6. Choose the program you wish to send by double clicking it or by highlighting it and clicking the "Add" button. Once you have finished adding all the programs, click the "OK" button. The files should be sent to your calculator. If you encounter errors, then click here to go to the FAQ section of this page.
Unzipping Downloaded Files
Many of the TI-86 program files that you will find on the internet are in zip format. That means that the TI-86 program and any other programs that you are included with it are compressed in an archive called a zip file. Zip files can't be sent to the TI-86 through the TI Graph link. They must be unzipped first. The following are instructions for unzipping files using the Windows application Winzip, but the commands should be similar for any other zip application. Click here for Download.com's list of freeware and shareware file compression utilities for the PC. Winzip along with several other zip utilities can be found here. Click here for Download's list of Mac file compression utilities. Popular zip ultilities like the StuffIt Expander can be found here. Now, here's the instructions for unzipping files. In case you're wondering, these instructions are applicable for unzipping all files from the internet.
1. Start Winzip, or whatever application you're using.
2. Select "Open Archive..." from the "File" pull-down menu.
3. Once the file is opened, select "Extract..." from the "Action" pulldown menu. 4. Now choose what folder you wish to unzip the files to and click the "OK" button. The files should unzip.
Running BASIC and Assembly Programs
Once you have programs on your calculator, you'll probably want to use them. Here's how to run both BASIC and assembly programs on your calculator (Please note that the instructions for running a BASIC program wont work for running an assembly program and visa versa):
To run BASIC programs:
1. Press the [PRGM] button to access the program menu.
2. Press the [F1] button to access the names of the programs.
3. Press [F1]-[F5] to select the program you wish to run and then press the [ENTER] button.
This is how your screen should look from steps 1-3:
To run an assembly program:
1. Type Asm( on the calculator home screen. Make sure the case is correct. Remember to type capital letters, press [ALPHA] and to make lower-case letters, press [2nd]+[ALPHA].
2. Press the [PRGM] button to access the program menu.
3. Press the [F1] button to access the names of the programs.
4. Press [F1]-[F5] to select the program you wish to run and press enter. This is how your screen should look from steps 1-4:
Once again, remember that you can't run an assembly program the same way that you run a BASIC program and visa versa.
Assigning Functions to the Custom Menu
Assigning stuff to the Custom Menu is very helpful if you want to access frequently used funtions and programs quickly. In my case, I like to run my games without using an assembly shell. Now, instead of typing out Asm( every time I want to run a game, I just quickly press [CUSTOM] and select Asm( from it. But how did I get that function in the Custom Menu? Here's how I did it:
1. Press [2nd]+[CUSTOM] to pull up the Catalog/Variables menu.
2. Choose what what type of function or variable you want to add to the custom menu. These are what all the abbreviations in the Catalog/Variables menu mean:
- CATLG - Function Catalog
- ALL - All Variables
- REAL - Real
- CPLX - Complex
- LIST - List
- VECTR - Vector
- MATRX - Matrix
- STRNG - String
- EQU - Equation
- CONS - Constant
- PRGM - Program
- GDB - GDB
- PIC - Picture
- STAT - Statistic
- WIND - Windows Setup
3. Press [F3] to bring up the custom menu.
4. Scroll down the list of functions or variables until you find the on you want to add to the Custom Menu. When you find it, press [F1]-[F5] to assign it to the corresponding blank in the Custom Menu.
5. Exit the Catalog/Variables menu and press [CUSTOM] to access the Custom Menu and see your function in it (yay!).
This is how your screen should look from steps 1-5:
How to Cheat with the TI-86
Ah, using this calulator to cheat on a test. You can use this calculator to cheat on any test that you're allowed to use a calculator on. All you need to know how to do is use the ALPHA lock and a tiny bit of TI-BASIC, and you're on you way! Here's how to use your calculator cheat:
1. Just go into the program editing menu by pressing [PRGM] [F2] and enter the name of the program your going to cheat with.
2. Now go to the Input/Output menu by pressing [F3]. You should see the command "Disp" assigned to [F3]. Hit [F3].
3. Then press [MORE] twice to find the quote. Press [F1], and type in what you want to show. You can enter 21 characters. Once you've typed in 21 character, then press the quote again, and then hit [,] and put another quote and type in another 21 characters. Once you're done, then just run the program and you're good to go.
|
|
