Solution 12002: Troubleshooting a TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus Family of Graphing Calculators Stuck on Defragmenting.
What can be done if a TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus family of graphing calculators has Defragmenting... on the display for more than five minutes?
To correct a Defragmenting... error, the latest Operating System (OS) of the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus family of graphing calculators will need to be reinstalled.
Please Note: TI-Nspire in TI-84 Plus mode will need to follow the instructions from the solution Updating or Reloading the TI-Nspire™ Family Graphing Calculator Operating System.
For the TI-83 Plus family and TI-84 Plus family there are two options available, the first is to use TI-Connect to install the OS. In order to install the OS please follow these steps (Windows® users):
• Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the computer and the calculator.
• Click on Start >> Programs >> TI Tools >> TI Connect >> TI OSDownloader.
• Remove one battery then press and hold down the DEL key on the calculator while re-inserting the battery. The unit will now display "Waiting...Please Install Calculator Software Now."
• Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS.
If the message "Error! Press any key to turn unit off. Then turn unit back on." appears on the graphing calculator, quickly remove one battery from the calculator and reinstall it while the transfer is taking place.
For the Macintosh® platform (Using TI Connect 1.8 for Mac® OS X):
• If not already connected, connect the graphing calculator to the computer using a TI Connectivity Cable.
• Remove one battery then press and hold down the DEL key on the calculator while re-inserting the battery. The unit will now display "Waiting...Please Install Calculator Software Now."
• Open TI OS Restore by going to Macintosh Hard Drive (HD)>>Applications>>TI Connect>>TI OS Restore.
• If the calculator is detected and TI OS Restore indentifies the correct model number, skip the next step.
• If the calculator is not detected by TI OS Restore, disconnect it from the computer and re-connect it. If the message Error! Press any key to turn off device is displayed, turn the calculator off and then back on.
• Once TI OS Restore indentifies the correct calculator model number, drag and drop the operating system file from the desktop onto the picture of the Texas Instruments' graphing calculator.
• Follow the instructions from the "Alert" window before clicking the "Proceed" button.
Alternative Option:
If the steps above fail or a TI Connectivity Cable is not available, the OS can also be restored using another calculator.
Please Note: The sending calculator must be of the same family as the receiving calculator. An OS transfer from a TI-83 Plus family unit to a TI-84 family unit or vice versa will not work
• Connect the two calculators using a Texas Instruments I/O data cable or mini-A to mini-B USB cable.
• Remove one battery then press and hold down the DEL key on the calculator while re-inserting the battery. The unit will now display "Waiting...Please Install Calculator Software Now."
• On the receiving unit, check the calculator's display to make sure it is still on. If the message Error! Press any key to turn off device is displayed, turn the calculator off and then back on.
• On the sending unit, press [2nd] [LINK] and select G:SendOS.
Please see the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus Family guidebooks for additional information.