TI-84 Operating Systems TI-84 Operating Systems The TI-84 Plus calculator has the advantage of allowing the user to upgrade the 'operating system' on the calculator. From time to time, TI releases a new version of the operating system. Calculators produced after that come with the new software. Calculators already produced, including those packaged and awaiting sale, have the older software. It is then up to the eventual owner of the calculator to 'upgrade' the operating system.

All of this would be of little interest if the new software just made the calculator run faster. However, over a number of different software releases, TI has provided new functionality with the newer software.

That new functionality includes changing how the claculator screen apears and how the calculator works with its user. In general, the improvements are just that. It would be nice to use those improvements. However, for those of us who try to guide students through the complex process of using the claculators, having a class of students using what appear to be different calculators (because they are running different operating systems) just makes the instructional process more complex. If you add the older TI-83 Plus (and even the even older TI-83) calculators to that mix, the learning process slows to a crawl as the confusion of having different screens and seemingly different options overwhelms the material that students are supposed to learn.

Fortunately, TI has made it possible to turn off some of the newer alternative features and to have the newer software behave as did the older software. It is almost a shame to have to do this, but it is the only way to get the entire class to 'see' the same things on all of the calculators being used. This page walks through some screen images from different versions of the TI-84 operating system. The Figures below specifically note the operating system being used on the calculator from which those images were captured. In addition, where appropriate, this page shows users how to 'turn off' certain features of the newer operating systems.

In each case we examine the calculator to find out the operating system being used and then we explore some of the capabilities and/or characteristics of that operating system. To do this I used three different calculators:.

An old TI-84 Plus running OS 2.21 starting at. A slightly newer TI-84 Plus running OS 2.43 starting at. An even newer TI-84 Plus running OS 2.53, starting at. A TI-84 Plus that has been upgraded to OS 2.55 starting at As time permits I will try to add other versions if I can find calculators with them. (from OS 2.21) We use the sequence to open the screen shown in Figure 1. Then we press to move to Figure 2. Figure 2 (from OS 2.21) The screen imge in Figure 2 shows that this calculator is running the 2.21 version of the operating system.

This particular system does not have any of the 'newer' features. This TI-84 Plus will operate in the same way that the TI-83 Plus operated.

In fact, the screen images will be almost identical to the images that were produced on the old TI-83 calculators. Figure 3 (from OS 2.21) To get to the image in Figure 3, we press the key.

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The particular settings shown on this calculator are the settings that we use for the Basic Statistics course, although we generally select the RADIAN rather than the DEGREE option. We exit the MODE screen via the sequence. Figure 4 (from OS 2.21) The images for Figure 4 include a matrix and a fraction. Note that the matrix is displayed using one set of square brackets to surround the entire matrix and additional sets of square brackets to surround each row of the matrix. Figure 5 (from OS 2.21) Here we have simply asked the calculator to convert our previous answer to fractional form, and the calculator has done so by displaying the fraction on a single line.

Now on to a different calculator. (from OS 2.43) We use the sequence to open the screen shown in Figure 1. Then we press to move to Figure 7. Figure 7 (from OS 2.43) The screen image in Figure 7 shows that this calculator is running the 2.43 version of the operating system. Again, although this is a newer operating system, we will not 'see' any real change in the displays as compared to 'earlier' versions.

Figure 8 (from OS 2.43) To get to the image in Figure 8, we press the key. The particular settings shown on this calculator are the settings that we use for the Basic Statistics course. We exit the MODE screen via the sequence.

Figure 9 (from OS 2.43) The images for Figure 9 include a matrix and a fraction. Note that the matrix is displayed using one set of square brackets to surround the entire matrix and additional sets of square brackets to surround each row of the matrix. The fraction is displayed as a decimal, and then the calculator is asked to convert that back to a fraction which it does and displays on a single line. Now on to a different calculator. (from OS 2.53) We use the sequence to open the screen shown in Figure 9a.

Then we press to move to Figure 9b. Figure 9b (from OS 2.53) The screen image in Figure 9b shows that this calculator is running the 2.53 version of the operating system.

This version has the MATHPRINT feature. We will see the changes in the display related to this setting. Figure 9c (from OS 2.53) To get to the image in Figure 9c, we press the key. The particular settings shown on this calculator are the settings that we use for the Basic Statistics course. Here we see the first evidence that something has changed.

Note the at the bottom of the screen. We can use the key to move to the bottom of the screen. When we move to point to the calculator will jump immediately to the image in Figure 9d. Figure 9d (from OS 2.53) This is a new, second page, for the MODE settings. At this point this calculator is in CLASSIC mode. We will leave this page via the key sequence. Figure 9e (from OS 2.53) Back on the main page we display a matrix (one that had been entered into the calcualtor at some earlier time).

The resulting output is in the classic format that uses the left and right square brackets to signal the start and end of the matrix, as well as a pair of such characters to signal the start and end of each row of values. We follow this with a simple division and then we as the calculator to resiply the answer but in fractional form. The result is the correct fraction but one written on a signle line. Figure 9f (from OS 2.53) One final display of classic bahavior: the command 1-Var Stats L 1, L 2 is too long to fit on one line.

The classic method for displaying something that is too long is to wrap that command onto the next line. This is what was done here. Figure 9g (from OS 2.53) We have returned to the MODE settings, moved to the second page of the display, and changed the setting to MATHPRINT. Then we use to leave the settings and return to the main page.

Figure 9h (from OS 2.53) In Figure 9h we repeat our earlier actions. This time when we ask for a display of the vector A the calculator displays the array with extended left and right brackets, a more traditional display of a matrix. The original division problem still produces the same results that we say n the classic mode in Figure 9e. C compiler for mac os. Figure 9i (from OS 2.53) However, when we ask the calculator to redisplay the result as a fracion, the calculator does this with smaller characters and it formats them with a horizontal line as the division bar. Figure 9j (from OS 2.53) Next we re-enter the 1-Var Stats L 1, L 2 command that is too long to fit aon a line.

This time, instead of moving to a new line to complete the command, the calculator automatically scrolls the line we are constucting so that the beginning of the line moves off the left hand side of the screen. Compare this to the same command being entered in Figure 9f. Figure 9k (from OS 2.53) Finally we return to the second MODE screen because there is one more setting to change. In particular, we will want to have the STATDIAGNOSTICS: setting turned ON.

Now on to a different calculator. (from OS 2.55) We use the sequence to open the screen shown in Figure 1. Then we press to move to Figure 11.

Figure 11 (from OS 2.55) The screen imge in Figure 11 shows that this calculator is running the 2.55 version of the operating system. This is a significantly different system from the software of version 2.21 or 2.43. Figure 12 (from OS 2.55) To get to the image in Figure 8, we press the key. The particular settings shown on this calculator are the settings that we use for the Basic Statistics course. Note the at the bottom of the screen. We can use the key to move to the bottom of the screen.

When we move to point to the calculator will jump immediately to the image in Figure 13. Figure 13 (from OS 2.55) This 'second' screen of the MODE settings holds the key to using or not using the newer features of the 2.55 operating system. The particualr claculator shown here has these settings configured to turn off most of those settings. The CLASSIC setting will make the calculator display matrices and fractions in the same way that they were displayed on earlier software versions. The STATDIAGNOSTICS has been turned ON and this is something that we would have done once via the 'DiagnosticOn' command on earlier versions of the operating system. Supposedly, once turned ON this value stays ON. It is just that in this version of the operating system it is easier to change this setting by using this second MODE page.

The STATWIZARDS has been turned OFF, telling the calculator to behave in many of the statistical operations the same way that older calculators behaved. We exit the MODE screen via the sequence. Figure 14 (from OS 2.55) Figure 14 confirms that the CLASSIC setting, noted above, produces output identical to that of the earlier calculators. Note that the matrix is displayed using one set of square brackets to surround the entire matrix and additional sets of square brackets to surround each row of the matrix. The fraction is displayed as a decimal, and then the calculator is asked to convert that back to a fraction which it does and displays on a single line. Figure 15 (from OS 2.55) In Figure 15 we have returned to the second MODE page, put the cursor on the MATHPRINT option and pressed the key. This changes that setting.

We exit the MODE screen via the sequence. Figure 16 (from OS 2.55) In Figure 16 we see the effect of the new MATHPRINT setting. The matrix is now displayed without the clutter of the many sets of square brackets (the ' ' and ' ') but with the full height left and right brackets drawn around the matrix. Figure 17 (from OS 2.55) A second difference is shown in Figure 17 where we asked the calculator to display the current answer in fractional form.

Now, instead of having the fraction on one line, the calculator has produced the result, using smaller characters, in a more traditional fractional form. Figure 18 (from OS 2.55) Prior to capturing the image in Figure 18, we made sure that there was some data in L 1.

As usual, we went to the STAT menu (via the key) and from there used the key to move to the CALC sub-menu, and from there we pressed to select the 1-Var Statsoption and paste it to our screen. Once the command is present we press the to perform it. Figure 19 (from OS 2.55) In OS 2.55, with STATWIZARDS turned OFF, the result is shown if Figure 19. This is almost the same output that we would have had on earlier software, the difference being that the earlier software would have left the command, at the top of the screen instead of the slightly more fancy. Figure 20 (from OS 2.55) To see the new approach in the operating system w we return to the second MODE page, move the cursor to the ON setting for STATWIZARDS and press to select that option.

We leave that screen via. We go to the STAT menu via, move to the CALC sub-menu via, and select the already highlighted 1-Var Stats option via the key. Figure 21 (from OS 2.55) The result, now using the STATWIZARD, is to display the screen shown in Figure 21. Note that the cursor, in 'alpha' mode is now covering the defualt L 1. This would allow us to easily alter the name of the list that we want the calculator to use in doing this calculation.

Furthermore, we now see that we could add a second list, one giving the frequency for each of the items in the first list, to this command. Figure 22 (from OS 2.55) Using this wizard, to perform the command we move the cursor to the Calculate option. Then press the key.

Figure 23 (from OS 2.55) The result is the same as the one we had in Figure 19. Figure 24 (from OS 2.55) Prior to moving to the image in Figure 24 the values in L 1 and L 2 were altered. Figure 24 shows the start of the contents of L 1 and L 2. Not shown are the two lines: 9 2 10 1 In this case, we want to use the L 2 values as the frequency for each of the corresponding L 1 values. Figure 25 (from OS 2.55) Returning to the 1-Var Stats command, still using the STATWIZARD, we can make the change to that command so that it uses the two lists as we want them used. To make the change we positioned the cursor after the FreqList: and pressed L 1 L 2.

Figure 26 (from OS 2.55) Again, to perform the command we move to the Calculate field and press. Figure 27 (from OS 2.55) Figure 27 shows the output from this command. Figure 28 (from OS 2.55) To get to Figue 28 we returned to the STAT menu via, moved to the CALC sub-menu using the key, then selected the LinReg(ax+b) command by pressing. Because this calculator has the STATWIZARD set ON the resulting display is shown here.

However the calculator determined that the FreqList for this command should still be L 2, that choice is incorrect for us at this point. Therefore, we need to remove that setting. To do this we use the cursor keys to move the highlight to that location and then we press. Figure 29 (from OS 2.55) Hving cleared that value, we move to the Caculate field and press to perform the command. Figure 30 (from OS 2.55) The result is shown in Figure 30. Note that the result gives values for r and r².

These values are shown because we have STATDIAGNOSTICS set ON at this point. Figure 31 (from OS 2.55) We return tot eh second page of the MODE screens and set STATWIZARDS to the OFF condition so that we can see the old style of using our commands. Figure 32 (from OS 2.55) To generate Figure 32 we returnede to the STAT menu, opened the CALC sub-menu, and chose the 1-Var Stats command. We recall that if we just give the command then, by default, we are asking the calculator to do the computation based on the values in L 1.

In order to tell the calculator to use the values in L 1, but to use the contents of L 2 as the frequency for those corresponding values, we need to append L 1, L 2 to the command. We have done that by pressing. This produces the command, part of which has scrolled off the screen to the left, in Figure 32. That 'scrolling off the screen' is a result of still having the MATHPRINT option turned ON. Figure 33 (from OS 2.55) We press to perform the command and the results are shown in Figure 33. Figure 34 (from OS 2.55) As a final demonstration, we return to the MODE screen and change the calcualtor back to the CLASSIC setting. Figure 35 (from OS 2.55) Then, in Figure 35, we reconstruct the command that we just used in Figure 32.

This time the command does not 'scroll off to the left' but rather it extends to a second line. Figure 36 (from OS 2.55) Again we press to perform the command and get these results. Figure 37 (from OS 2.55) Figures 37 and 38 merely redisplay the prefered settings for using calculators with the 2.55 software in the Math 160, Basic Statistics, class. Figure 38 (from OS 2.55) ©Roger M. Palay Saline, MI 48176 September, 2012.