The Ultimate Calculator || Completed

KermMartian · Posted: 23 Nov 2008 05:45:19 pm Post subject:

I'm afraid that it is indeed a program on the calculator, but you can buy a SilverLink (for all the calculators, it's called the SilverLink because it's silver plastic, not because it's only for the 83+ Silver Edition and 84+ Silver Edition calculators) for <$20. And there's no reason that you can't use the same keyboard/mouse with your laptop and calculator. You'll just want a switch to turn off the internal battery pack when you plug them into your laptop so that you don't fry your laptop's power bus.
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BigBubbaX · Newbie Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 23

Ok, I'll try to order something online.

The problem with my keyboard/mouse is:
The keyboard is a Macro roll-out -- no room for batteries
and the mouse is a USB wireless.

If I could get some mental help (not a psychiatrist, stuff like planning a circuit and where to solder) I'll go to my thrift store, get an old keyboard and mouse and see if it is possible to use the 2.5 mm jack.
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KermMartian · Posted: 23 Nov 2008 05:54:52 pm Post subject:

Definitely. Go get the mouse/keyboard, open them up and post some pix, and we'll help you work out a component layout and schematic.
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BigBubbaX · Newbie Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 23

Very Cool.

I have school Monday and Tuesday but the rest of the week is off for ThanksGiving.

Can pics be put on this forum or will I need to use a page on my site?

(uh oh, I have a math test tomorrow. Time to go put the calculator back together Rolling Eyes

)
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KermMartian · Posted: 23 Nov 2008 09:41:35 pm Post subject:

BigBubbaX · Newbie Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 23

I raided the thrift store and found a headset with 2.5 mm jack, and a keyboard that looked like it would work but haven't tested yet.
(I also scored a GameBoy Original, but that doesn't have anything to do with this)

I'll get a picture page up for them soon.
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KermMartian · Posted: 07 Jan 2009 08:00:21 pm Post subject:

BigBubbaX · Newbie Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 23

sorry, I forgot to post back.
Over winter break I was trying to put some blue backlights on the calculator, to see if I could. anyway, I accidentally let a bit of solder on the board and nearly ruined it. To fix the disaster I had to recruit my dad's help.

Long story short, I've been banned from my soldering iron for messing with a $100 calculator. Sorry, maybe once I get it back I'll try again.
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"Don't think of it as being outnumbered, think of it as having a wide shot selection..."

KermMartian · Posted: 11 Jan 2009 10:52:14 pm Post subject:

Aww, sorry to hear that. I hope that yiu regain use of it soon so I can see what you do with this project.
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Xeno_Cre8or · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 02:37:45 pm Post subject:

I know this is a huge necropost, but is it possible to stick a backlight behind the screen of an 84+? And have the backlight turn on when the calc does?

I mean, if I send Kerm my 84, could he do it?
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calcs: 84+ 2.42 DCS6.2 and Emu84+SE 2.53MP with DCS7.0

GloryMXE7 · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 02:40:44 pm Post subject:

I'm confused, why would you need a back light? or are we talking theoretically?
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Xeno_Cre8or · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 03:04:28 pm Post subject:

Weregoose · Cemetech Expert Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

Oh man, Kerm, you have customers without a business. Better get those brochures written out! Laughing

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swivelgames · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 04:54:09 pm Post subject:

Xeno: Be prepared. I'm sure Kerm's next post will be something like:

Ultimate Dev'r · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 05:08:11 pm Post subject:

Yes, you can backlight a calc with an EL panel (don't waste your time using LEDs and plexiglas)

Paint your calc with vinyl dye and use painter's tape to cover up the text

RAM expansion wouldn't be worth it on a TI-84+SE
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KermMartian · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 05:16:46 pm Post subject:

Xeno_Cre8or · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 05:51:16 pm Post subject:

BigBubbaX · Newbie Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 23

Sorry about the...um... year delay.

I've gotten everything together again (except that silver-cord-thingy, I'll buy it when I find some money Rolling Eyes

)

The new project details:
-Set up that keyboard
-build a backlight into the screen
-install an MP3 player in the free space

I've got an old Creative Zen Nano 512mb music player that can be sacrificed.

My take on websites has shifted considerably since the old google pages, and I now own a webserver.
That's where the pics will be, once they're up.

Oh, and I got the soldering iron back (well, not really. But I bought a new one... Very Happy

)

If you can offer any suggestions / comments, I'd appreciate it.

KermMartian · Posted: 29 Oct 2009 12:39:16 am Post subject:

Excellent, glad to hear that's you're giving this a try once more. I'm looking forward to the pictures and progress log.
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