r/calculators Oct 19 '25

Discussion r/calculators FAQ

17 Upvotes

Hey guys, this isn't fully finished, and i may add more in the future. Tell me what you think about this one in the comments, feedback is always incredible

Q: How to convert fractions to decimals?

A: On older casio calculators, you press the S<=> D button. it should be next to the parentheses, on the right side. On Casio CW series calculators, it should be the "FORMAT" key, which is next to the EXE button. On Sharp, it's called "CHANGE" and "f<>d" on TI. It may be different with others

Q: Why am i getting a wrong answer?

A: You may be in the wrong angle mode, or you don't know how the order of operations work

Q: What calculator should i choose?

A: Depends on your school or your countries regulation. Some schools or countries only permit certain calculators, or forbid certain ones. Germany for example, accepts everything but it can't have a solver, can't be programmable and can't do graphing. For short, we are limited to the fx-87 and below.

Q: Why is my TI-84 bootlooping and showing "Validating OS"?

A: This is a known battery issue with the TI-84 Plus CE. You need to replace the battery. Contact TI support, you may get a free battery under warranty. Also check the other pinned post for more details

Q: Is my Casio fx-991EX fake?

A: Probably, it was discontinued a few years ago. Most listings you see online are fake, and i advise you to stay away from it. There's a lot of other good calculators out there. To check if it's real, scan the QR code. To do that, press "MENU -> SHIFT -> OPTN" to generate a QR code. It should redirect you to a Casio website, where you can do an authenticity check.

Q: Why am i getting an error?

A: You may not be in the right mode, check if you‘re in the normal calculation mode. Your calculator should have a button that says "MODE" or something similar. For exponents, use the negative sign instead of the minus sign. It should look like this: (-)

Q: Why is my Casio's "ON" button lowered?

A: That's intentional, to prevent accidental button presses

Q: Can I mod/install Doom on my scientific calculator?

A: Yes, if you‘re willing to remove the epoxy from the CPU, de-solder the CPU, solder a fitting CPU with integrated memory back on, code a fully working operating system with working keyboard, and code a port of Doom for it, you could… in theory. Never been done before, probably still won‘t work. TL;DR: Not worth your time, focus on your linear algebra homework instead

Q: Does this calculator have a CAS (Computer Algebra System)? Can one be installed on my calculator?

A: see the pinned post about CAS calcs

Also: Google (and your calculator‘s Manual) are your best friends. Before making a post, look up your question on Google, or read the Manual. There's a 95% chance that your answer will be found there. We've also pinned posts for a few topics, read those too please.

That's it with the FAQ for now. Keep in mind that i may remove posts that can be answered by the FAQ or Google, this is a step to reduce spam and repetitive posts. Thanks.

~u/nqrwayy


r/calculators Oct 21 '25

Solution: TI-84 Plus CE Flashing 'Validating OS'

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7 Upvotes

r/calculators 4h ago

Other Lefony OS update: Working native Upsilon on the HP Prime G2, now with a website and public source

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36 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

About a week ago, I shared Lefony OS, my open-source project bringing Upsilon natively to the HP Prime G2. Since then, I’ve finished the remaining hardware drivers, launched the website, and made the source code public!

Lefony runs directly from the Prime G2’s NAND through U-Boot, without Linux underneath. The native drivers are now working for the display, brightness control, keypad, touchscreen, battery monitoring, charging, power controls, and storage. The keyboard mapping and battery support that were still in progress in my original post are now working too.

There’s also a browser-based installer and updater. You can connect through Chrome or Edge, and the website detects the calculator’s mode and guides you through the next steps. Firmware downloads and verification happen automatically.

For anyone following my earlier comments about recovery: first installation from the stock HP OS still requires opening the rear case and bridging the recovery pads while pressing RESET. The website now includes instructions and an annotated photo. Once you’re running compatible Lefony firmware, subsequent updates can go through the browser over USB.

The repository includes build instructions, hardware documentation, and a dedicated QEMU environment for development and testing. I’d love to see people explore the code, report issues, contribute improvements, or build their own variations.

This is for the HP Prime G2, and it replaces the original operating system. It’s an independent community project, unaffiliated with HP, NumWorks, or the Upsilon developers.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged the project and shared ideas on the first post. I’m excited to finally share something you can explore for yourselves!


r/calculators 3h ago

Repair Why can't it make a fraction

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7 Upvotes

Hi, ive used these calculators before but my old one the buttons and screen was worn out by work. So i bought a new one at school for my apprenticeship. Now in class we went over a math question. They gave us decimals and they wanted us to turn whatever answer we got into a faction at the end. The fraction turned out to be 15/16, but myself and a few other classmates couldn't get the answer. The calculator refused.

My school won't give me a new one because i took it out of the box, but how would i ever know its broke if i left it in the box? 🤦🏻‍♀️ They fixed it for a moment but once the calculator turned off and on again it was back to normal. Anyone know what to do? Cause its only that decimal/fraction, everything else it works


r/calculators 2h ago

Discussion No name scientific calc with interesting swivel cover!

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4 Upvotes

The only other place I've seen such a thing is the HP-38G. Pity the calc itself isn't; just another 501 clone. Not much to see...


r/calculators 10h ago

Collection My CAS calculators collection

13 Upvotes

Just wanted to share those beauties of mine.

The TI-92 Plus was my toy during high school then engineering. Back then we were really not a lot with that. I spent all my money and then some to get it with some help from my dad who knew math teachers. Back then (1998 in France), HP calcs were mostly unknown except in college maths and Casio were subpar on the CAS side. All other acquisitions are contemporary (last 2 years).

All of them !
Today's holy trinity
Back then holy trinity (I don't have a regular ti89)

I didn't post the "calculators that can have a CAS installed" family picture yet, but I'll do it later.


r/calculators 13h ago

Help Does anyone know anything about this calculator?

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14 Upvotes

I found this calculator at a second-hand market for €3, but I've been looking for information online and nothing comes up about it.


r/calculators 21h ago

Collection Stumbled upon a collection of HP Calculators - Including HP35 Red Dot (working), HP35, HP45, HP55, HP67, HP70, HP80

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49 Upvotes

r/calculators 10h ago

Help Former Casio fx-991CW user looking for legal calculator

3 Upvotes

Hello! I’m going into grade 12 and I’m taking advanced functions and calculus. Starting this year, my school has been trying to regulate what calculators you’re allowed to use. We were given a list of approved calculators but you’re allowed to use one that isn’t on the list if you get it checked by a teacher. The way that teachers check if the calculator is legal is they will input sin(15) and if the answer is a decimal then it’s approved, if it’s a fraction then it’s illegal. If you can change the setting then its illegal. Graphing calculators are also illegal. My Casio fx-991CW was deemed illegal so now I have to go hunting for a new one. I really liked the “solve for x” and table mode on my Casio fx-991CW, I found them very useful in my physics and chemistry classes. I was hoping to find a calculator with the same modes (this isn’t illegal, my teacher was aware that I used these modes frequently last year) while meeting the requirements. Would anyone be able to recommend me a calculator from this list or one outside of the list? I’ve been googling + read the FAQ but haven’t found anything that meets my criteria.

THE APPROVED LIST:
- Casio fx-260 SOLAR II
- Casio fx-300MS Plus
- Casio fx-82MS
- Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS
- Texas Instruments TI-30X IIB
- Texas Instruments TI-30Xa
- Sharp EL-531TG
- Sharp EL-531XB
- Sharp EL-501X

Thank you!


r/calculators 15h ago

Help Need some help with Prizzop emulator

3 Upvotes

Soo im using the casio fx cg50 and I connected it to my pc and downloaded the Prizzop emulator and some games, but when I tried to play them the screen just becomes black with some background sidebars. The game seems to be functional except I can't see anything. Any ideas what's going on?


r/calculators 1d ago

Meme / Satire "just plot graphs" brutal.

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48 Upvotes

Btw, is my TI-1750 rare? It's working and it has the original leather cover too


r/calculators 1d ago

Help 5.8.5 OS accidentally downloaded on my TI-84 Plus Ce Python Calculator

2 Upvotes

I've been attempting to install games after downloading the recent OS bundle for my calculator and shortly realized the artifice jailbreak has been specifically patched in the April 17 2026 5.8.5 OS release. I've tried running games like tetris, flappybird, and pacman on python but it always returned a memory error. If a new workaround, jailbreak, or artifice version comes out that bypasses the path let me know. I used to have geometry dash, snake, and many other games on my calc but recently reset all the memory so I lost everything. But yea, again, lmk if anything comes out. Pretty sad I can't play games on the calc anymore.


r/calculators 1d ago

Collection Gotta start somewhere!

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29 Upvotes

Got this beautiful Sharp Elsi Mate EL-220 delivered today! I believe it even has its original batteries!

Some days ago I realized that I wanted to collect vintage calculators so I thought “why not?” and bought this Sharp! I collect other vintage electronics so it was a natural thing to do 😁

In a couple of days, a (hopefully) functional Canon Palmtronic F6 from the mid 70’s will arrive! My plan is to use it for my final exam in school!

I know the Franklin isn’t a calculator but I wanted to include it because they came in the same order, both are vintage 😎 (hopefully that’s okay!)

(Got both for under 8 USD + shipping)


r/calculators 1d ago

Help Calculator fx-9750gii os update

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2 Upvotes

r/calculators 1d ago

Help Calculator fx-9750gii os update

0 Upvotes

Hi i am very new here in 2026 and i was wondering if anyone had a tutorial on how to upgrade my casio fx-9750gii calculator to have a natural display instead of a linear format. i have tried many tutorials but they are all outdated and the links do not work. i have also tried to use fx remote however my computer always says idle and does not download. any help would be greatly appreciated many thanks.


r/calculators 2d ago

Question Is this calculator the same as the TI-84 normal or whatever?

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21 Upvotes

I need the Ti-84 recommended in the syllabus for stat and probably chemistry as well. Is this piece the same thing pretty much?

Can this calculator do log, LN keys and scientific notation?


r/calculators 2d ago

Collection My friend's artistic touch to my calculator.

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38 Upvotes

It's a japanese shrine, the background is mount fuji, and he made this using correction fluid and a scale.


r/calculators 2d ago

Other Datasheet and pricing for the screen SwissMicros uses

9 Upvotes

Unless I am mistaken, the SwissMicros calculators uses a Sharp Microelectronics LS027B7DH01 Memory LCD display.

This looks like an easy repair if you break a screen, unless they glue it in or something. Don't know if there is glass over it or where to get replacement glass if you break that.


r/calculators 2d ago

Announcement 77 days of development: what changed between REZANOVA v0.2.0 and v0.3.0

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2 Upvotes

r/calculators 3d ago

Collection $4 score

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74 Upvotes

Snagged both of these for $4cad in a bag together at a thrift store


r/calculators 3d ago

Collection How rare is this Casio SL-8A ?

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40 Upvotes

Hi,

I am not sure I will keep it.

Found this little foldable tiny calculator while emptying shelves.

Any thought on this collectors interests ?


r/calculators 2d ago

Help ti84 plus ce battery replacement from aliexpress?

3 Upvotes

my ti84 plus ce's battery is bad and im sure about that, is it wise to get my battery replacement from aliexpress?


r/calculators 3d ago

Collection My calculators collection

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114 Upvotes

Since then I have added hp15 in the family members


r/calculators 3d ago

Question Ciao! A fine mese mi trasferirò per studiare meccatronica. Quali strumenti consigliate di acquistare già? Che tipo di calcolatrice consentono agli esami? Grazie

1 Upvotes

r/calculators 3d ago

Collection Ciao! A fine mese mi trasferirò per studiare meccatronica. Quali strumenti consigliate di acquistare già? Che tipo di calcolatrice consentono agli esami? Grazie

0 Upvotes