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Can You Transfer Programs From a TI 84 Calculator to Your Computer?

TI-84 calculators feature a robust programming interface that allows the user to create and run sophisticated programs on the device. In order to transfer programs over the Internet, or backup programs for safekeeping, you may want to transfer programs from your calculator to your computer. Backing up programs is a simple process with the right Texas Instruments software and a TI-84 data cable.

TI Connect
- Texas Instruments' TI Connect software allows your computer to interact with your TI-84 calculator. TI Connect provides direct access to your calculator's memory, so you can add, delete or transfer variables and programs between your computer and your calculator. The software is available as a free download from Texas Instruments' web site.
Required Hardware
- The TI-84 can connect to your computer via a USB cable. The small end of the TI-84's USB cable connects to the USB port in the upper right corner of the device. The larger end connects to an available USB port on your computer. After you have connected your calculator to your computer, launch TI Connect by double-clicking its icon on your desktop or in the start menu.
Device Explorer
- TI Connect's "Device Explorer," which is accessible from TI Connect's main menu allows you to browse through your calculator's files and settings. The calculator's applications are stored under the "Flash/Archive" section of the tree in the "Applications" section. You can also access programs in the "Programs" section of the tree. Transferring programs to your computer is as easy as dragging the application out of the "Applications" or "Programs" section of the tree and onto your desktop.
Program Files
- TI Connect saves TI-84 program files to your computer in a ".8xp" or ".8xk" format. In order to run the programs on your computer, you will need to open them in a TI-84 emulator. Texas Instruments' TI-SmartView, which is available for $156 from Texas Instruments, creates a virtual TI-84 on your computer that is capable of running TI-84 programs. You can also download a free TI-84 emulator such as Virtual-ti84 or WabbitEmu. These free emulators are not supported by Texas Instruments, but they provide similar functionality to TI-SmartView.

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