TI-92 Cable Instructions

STEP ONE: Get yourself a TI-92! The TI-92 can be purchased from the following locations and some individuals on the internet for anywhere from $190 to $250. Here's some information on buying it:

1. The easiest method is to buy the cable and software from TI directly or at a store. However, the commercial cable can end up being extremely expensive, especially after buying the costly calculator. If you do buy the cable, follow TI's instructions and get the programs from here or at TI's site.

2. The next method is to build the parallel port link. There are two different ways - one won't damage your link cord, the other will. Also, you can download someone's detailed instructions for building the parallel link here.

2A. This method is good because it will not damage your cord. To make the link, you need a couple feet of wire, two silicon diodes, two resistors, the link cord that comes with the calculator, heat shrinking plastic tubing, and electrical tape. All these materials can be found at a Radio Shack or similar electronics store. I recommend connecting the wires to the cable like shown in this picture. Tape the wires onto the cable first. Connect the wires into the computer as shown in the picture and try the cable with the software below. If it works, you can remove the tape later and put the heat shrinking tubing on. I also suggest labeling each individual wire between the diode and parallel port on your computer. By labeling the wires, you can easily replace them if you remove the link cable or one wire falls out of the computer.

2B. This is the same idea as the plan above, but for this plan you must cut open your TI-92 cable. For this plan, you need the link cord that comes with your calculator, a couple of feet of wire, two silicon diodes, electrical tape, and a wire stripper. Take a pair of scissors and cut the link cord in half. Carefully strip the outer layer of black plastic off the cord. Next strip each of the wires down so that you have around an inch or so of copper wire exposed. You don't have to strip any plastic off the copper wire, obviously. Twist the wires together so there aren't any loose pieces of wire. Connect the loose ends of the wire to the extra wire you bought and attach the diodes as shown in the picture. I suggest wrapping the connections between the wires with electrical tape so that the different wires don't touch. Your cable won't work if they do. Place the wires into the back of your computer as shown and your cable should work. This cable is more reliable than the above method because the wires don't come apart easily.

3. The next method is to build the Serial Cable. I have not built this cable, so I don't know how well it works. The picture is pretty good at explaining how to make the cable. You can follow the directions above to make the cable, only you have to use the resistors and diodes in the pattern shown. For this cable, you must cut open the cable that came with your calculator, so you may want to find another one. Note: Even though the picture says it is for the TI-85, it is also supposed to work on the TI-92. Click on the picture for three pictures dealing with building the cable.