01 April 2006
Tutorial: Games and a Graphing CalculatorI am assuming that many of us will be quite flabbergasted to have games in the GC. I should say it’s a rather intricate “hack” into the GC’s internal memory and OS, but I hope with this tutorial you will find it easier to load games into your GC.
I own only the TI-84 Plus, and the techniques have only been tested on TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus SE. So in any case should you be using a GC that have yet to be tested, and you find that the techniques do work, do notify us here!
Do share with us if you should have devised a set of techniques that can be used to load games into a GC, amounting to the fact that the following will only work with Texas Instruments graphing calculators.
Follow the instructions closely as dictated below! Alright, for the start, a crash course on the basic information and specifications of your GC.
For 06A1
by SlivesterContents1. Preamble
2. About your GC
3. Pre-installation Iaa- Clear RAMaa- Batteriesaa- TI Connect4. Application platformsaa- BASICaa- Assembly and Flash5. Pre-installation II
6. Installationaa- Installing MirageOSaa- Installing your games1. Preamble (Back to top)There are considerable amounts of GC jargon used in this tutorial. In any case should you find them confusing, IM me and I will provide you with necessary
assistance.
Flash: Not Macromedia Flash or the camera flash, but Flash memory, a form of rewritable computer memory that holds its content without maintaining a power supply. Flash is secondary only to the RAM.
RAM: Random-Access Memory - the main memory component in your GC, used to store data and applications.
BASIC: Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code - a computer programming language.
Assembly: A human-readable programming language used for executing applications in GC.
2. About your GC (Back to top)The TI-84 Plus has a sheer memory of 24KB, while you may store up to 480KB worth of applications and data on its flash ROM. You will find that your GC is left with a mere 20+KB, since pre-loaded applications have munched up most of the free storage space. In which case, unless you wish to sacrifice some of the pre-loaded applications, and as well, taking a risk – some of programmes might be used during lessons. It is plausible to find that your GC’s hardware upgradeability is just as much as your notebook – not advisable though.
Recap:
Flash ROM – 480KB
RAM – 24 KB3. Pre-installation I (Back to top)The essence of pre-installation is to find and clear faults before all the foolishness begin.
Clear RAM (Back to top)Pre-installation of the games will demand you to Clear RAM (if you are doubtful on clearing RAM, read up the manual).
Batteries (Back to top)You must ensure that you have sufficient battery life before venturing into the realm of file transfer between your GC and your desktop/notebook. You wouldn’t want to send your GC away for servicing while being accused of overly ambitious and spoils your day.
TI Connect (Back to top)You will be required to transfer the game files from your desktop/notebook into your GC via the TI Connect software. The software can be found on the TI
Graphing Product CD which came with your GC.
4. Application platforms (Back to top)Ti-84 Plus is designed to run 3 different application platforms: the BASIC programming language applications, Assembly (asm) applications, and Flash
applications, and there exist in the internet an astounding quantity of games in one of the 3 platforms.
BASIC platform (Back to top)BASIC game files are typically less significant in size compared to the other 2 platform. BASIC games are simple games like Tic-Tac-Toe, where in little memory will be used to run the game.
Assembly and Flash platform (Back to top)Assembly and Flash applications on the other hand, are significantly larger, with some going up to as much as 400KB, which might require you to uninstall most of the pre-loaded applications to load. They may take a notably longer time to load, and may require secondary software or colloquially - “shells”.
If you are looking at installing games with more features like Super Mario or Tetris, you will be looking at either Assembly or Flash games.
I am assuming that you have completed the Pre-Installation procedures. If you have, proceed to Step 4.
5. Pre-installation II (Back to top)Likewise, this tutorial as dictated here may be used to install new non-gaming applications, like translator or add-ons. It is highly recommended (by me that is, haha) to install the MirageOS, a Flash shell that will run many of the Assembly and Flash platform applications. You may as well, at this point of time, download the games that you desired. Message me on MSN should you need the URLs.
You may download the latest version of the MirageOS here:
http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/139/13949.htmlMore information about MirageOS can be found here:
http://www.detachedsolutions.com/mirageos/6. Installation (Back to top)You MUST have completed the 2 Pre-installation procedures (including MirageOS – since I will make use of it in the course of this tutorial). Check that you have installed Ti-Connect and that you have hooked up the USB cable. Switch on your GC now, while noting that the GC will shut down automatically if no command is given to it.
Installing MirageOS (Back to top)Sub-Step 1: Essentially, simply unzip/extract the MirageOS files into a folder, and as well the applications or games.
Sub-Step 2: Go to the MirageOS folder. Right-click on MIRAGEOS.8xk and select “Send To TI Device…”.
Sub-Step 3: You are likely to be prompted to search for the GC if this your first time uploading files. Simply select the options that show your GC.
Sub-Step 4: Make sure that the “Destination” is ARCHIVE. MirageOS will not work if you send it into the RAM of your GC.
Sub-Step 5: The easiest of all, click “Send to Device”.
Sub-Step 6: To check whether if MirageOS is properly loaded, go on to unplug your GC from the USB cord and hit [APPS], and look for MirageOS in your Applications list.
Installing your games (Back to top)If you have downloaded only BASIC games, simply follow Sub-Step 1 to 5 and you will be able to locate the game in the Applications menu (hit [APPS] on the GC). If you have downloaded Assembly or Flash games, proceed to Sub-Step 7.
Sub-Step 7: Upload your game by following Sub-Step 1 to 5.
Sub-Step 8: Load up MirageOS. You will be able to find your game(s) after entering the Main folder. (back to top)
That is all, the basic tutorial of installing games into your GC. I do hope you find it effective. Vive le 06A1!
Regards
Slivester
Your most beloved GP Rep