Difference between revisions of "How-to Create a TI-83 Plus ROM Image"

Revision as of 21:42, 11 August 2006

DRAFT

I, like every other high student I know, own a Texas Instruments 83 Plus graphing calculator. However, it is quite bulky and expensive. I would rather not transport it around. Plus I might forget to bring it home one night or it might get lost, stolen, or damaged on the way home. It's nice to have a backup. That is why I set out to get my calculator to work on my computer. I know your computer comes with a calculator, but it doesn't do graphing. You could look on the Internet for one, but you might not know how to use it. Plus why learn something again, your teacher already taught you how your TI works. Plus if you program, it is easier to type the computer. Hey, you could even type in class notes on your computer, transfer them to your calculator, and use them in class. (Note: Not recommended for use during exams)

Failed Efforts

Cables

The TI GraphLink cable and TI Connect software

So I set out one day during my summer vacation to try and find out how to do it. First thing you need is a cable linking your computer and calculator. About 5 years ago almost all of the cables were of the serial type. The problem was that USB, a new way of connecting components was invented and quickly became popular. Nowadays every computer comes with several USB ports, but few new computers come with serial ports anymore. Texas Instruments now sells almost exclusively the TI Connectivity Kit with a silver USB to calculator mini-jack cable called the "TI-GraphLink USB (silver)." In fact, the more expensive cousin of the TI-83 Plus, the TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus Silver Edition come with the USB cord included. That means there is nothing more to buy. (More information on choosing cables)

Software

The next thing you will need to do is to download and install the needed software.

• TI-Connect - This comes with you TI cable/calculator. Install this from your CD or download it from TI's site. (Make sure you install before you connect the USB cable.) This program lets transfer files between your calculator and computer, as well as update the OS and take and load screenshots. It also contains the TI GraphLink USB drivers.
• rom8x - This is THE program that lets you extract the ROM from your TI-83 Plus calculator. Usage data below.
• Virtual TI v2.5 beta 5 - The most widely used TI Emulator by Rusty Wagner (rusty@acz.org). Supports TI-83 Plus OS versions 1.12 and below. This is the best choice to use as it supports all of the features and many other TI calculators. It is a bit dated, I think it is about 5 years old and dosn't support USB cables for the built-in ROM dumper. But that's why we got rom8x.
  • OS 1.12 for the TI-83 Plus is required to use Virtual TI 2.5. Unless you purchased your calculator more then a few years ago, your probably have a latter version. I am not sure if TI would like me redistributing their software. Contact ti-cares@ti.com and tell them you need a "TI-83 Plus operating system version 1.12" to run a legacy application. Hey that isn't even a lie. They might think you need it to run an app on your calculator, but Virtual TI is turning into a legacy app. I got my OS in a day.
• Virtual TI v3.0 Alpha The latest version of Virtual TI, but it doesn't have all of the features yet. However, it supports all versions of the TI 83 Plus OS. Hopefully, this will change by unfortunately Virtual TI looks like it is out of development.
• TilEm A new TI Emulator written for Linux, but ported to Windows. I haven't tested it, but it may work instead of Virtual TI.