mjs2000 inc. - add-ons and upgrades

If you wish to return to the top of this page, click the little blue arrow thingys that look like this

Introduction
There is a wide variety of modifications you can make to your calculator. The only "supported" accessory of any use to us is the Graph-Link, but some clever hackers with too much free time have modified their calculators to improve speed, add memory, and even install things like EL backlighting ("Indiglo") and IR link ports. All of these upgrades (except the TI Graph-Link) are unsupported by TI. For info on how to buy or build one of these accesories, click on the appropriate link.

Introduction

There is a wide variety of modifications you can make to your calculator. The only "supported" accessory of any use to us is the Graph-Link, but some clever hackers with too much free time have modified their calculators to improve speed, add memory, and even install things like EL backlighting ("Indiglo") and IR link ports.

All of these upgrades (except the TI Graph-Link) are unsupported by TI. For info on how to buy or build one of these accesories, click on the appropriate link.

TI Graph Link
Calc-To-Computer Cables
Buy and sell cables on Ticalc.org
Texas Instruments' official Graph-Link cable. The most reliable cable, but the most expensive. Can be bought at most stores where TI graphing calculators are sold, and on the internet. There are three models, the gray cable, for PC and Macintosh, the black cable, for PC only and the USB cable, currently for Macintosh only. Unless you get the "cable only" package, the cable comes with the latest version of TI's Graph-Link software. TI's Graph-Link site MJS2000's Graph-Link site Purchase at TI-Store.com
$5 Parallel Link
The $5 Parallel Link is the most popular homemade link. It is NOT compatible with TI's Graph-Link software, and requires third-party software. It runs only under Windows. Linking software Parallel Link Schematic
$4 Serial Link
Another homemade link. It is less expensive but more hard to put together than the parallel link. There are rumors that the serial link will work with the newest version of the Graph-Link software in black-cable mode. Linking software Serial Link Schematic
PICLink
The PICLink is compatible with TI's Graphlink software, and is compatible with Macintosh as well. It is fairly easy to construct. Linking software PICLink Schematic
Connect-85
One of the earliest homemade links. Designed to work with the TI-85. Requires special software. Linking software Connect-85 Schematic

Overclocking
WARNING: Overclocking requires internal modification of your calculator. Don't do this unless you really know what you're doing. You could permanently fuck up your calculator and void your warranty. If you decide to overclock, do so with caution.
The Richfiles
The Richfiles has information on modifying your calculator to run 3-4 times faster than its normal speed. TI-81/85 Turbo Page \| TI-82 Turbo Page \| TI-83 Turbo Page \| TI-86 Turbo Page

Overclocking

WARNING: Overclocking requires internal modification of your calculator. Don't do this unless you really know what you're doing. You could permanently fuck up your calculator and void your warranty. If you decide to overclock, do so with caution.

The Richfiles

The Richfiles has information on modifying your calculator to run 3-4 times faster than its normal speed.

TI-81/85 Turbo Page | TI-82 Turbo Page | TI-83 Turbo Page | TI-86 Turbo Page

Memory Expanders
Expander 2
The Expander 2 is memory expander unit that holds 512K of data for the TI-85, TI-86, and TI-92. Support for other models coming soon. You can either buy one pre-made or build your own. Expander 2 homepage

Backlighting
Electroluminescent Backlighting
This modification allows you to use your TI-83/83+/85/86/89/92 in the dark. Like the Indiglo feature on some wristwatches. Electroluminescent Backlighting homepage

Speakers
Speaker
Some calculator programs make sound. To hear this sound, you must build a speaker which plugs into the link port. Dimension TI has info on building speakers, and I believe you can buy them pre-built at TI-Store.com. Speaker-building info Buy speakers at TI-Store.com

Speakers

Speaker

Some calculator programs make sound. To hear this sound, you must build a speaker which plugs into the link port. Dimension TI has info on building speakers, and I believe you can buy them pre-built at TI-Store.com.

Speaker-building info

Buy speakers at TI-Store.com

Infrared Links
IR Link
The IR Link allows two calculators to communicate (play games or chat) without wires. It can also be used as a remote control for infrared devices (TV's, VCR's, etc.) IR Link homepage

Power Extension
Alternate Power Sources
This allows you to use AA batteries in your calculator rather than the more expensive AAAs. Power Extension Page
TI-85 Power Port
This allows you to run your TI-8x calculator from an external power supply. Power Port homepage

Add-Ons and Upgrades

WARNING: Overclocking requires internal modification of your calculator. Don't do this unless you really know what you're doing. You could permanently fuck up your calculator and void your warranty. If you decide to overclock, do so with caution.