TI-83 matrix memory management bug


[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

TI-83 matrix memory management bug



my wife has discovered a rather pervasive (and rather nasty bug) in
the matrix memory management routines on the TI-83.  if you do just
about anything with a matrix that results in a data type error, the
calculator goes into an unstable state, leading to any number of
really weird errors, including, occasionally, fascinating
video-game-like displays.  in nearly every case, battery removal has
been required to recover the calculator; in at least one case, we had
to remove the lithium backup battery as well.  she also managed to get
a "Err: Link" out of it; this error is not documented in the manual,
so we have no idea what it means.


to reproduce this error, enter any matrix in [A] (or any other matrix
slot).  divide it by a constant (IMO, this is a reasonable thing to
do; the HP 48 series allows this, by the way).  you will get a "Data
Type" error.  hit quit.  now try to change the dimensions of any
matrix (doesn't matter which one).  now, remove the batteries: your
calculator will be frozen solid.  (you should not do this if you have
anything on your calculator you care about, obviously.)


this has been replicated on several other units, and TI has been
notified.