Why can't my calculator connect to my MacBook Pro?

I tried a few years time ago to get Ti connect to talk to a ti 84plus SE, and got nowhere. Then i tried updating the software IN THE CALCULATOR and all sorts of things started working. Clunky, but working.

I believe I have the best answer for you and EVERYONE else 🙂.

I sent the following message to Texas Instruments:

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---- Original Message ----

Country: US

Name: Renee Williams

Email: ******

Type of Service: SftInstallUse

Computer Software Setup/Usage: SftInstallMac

Product Group: GrphHH

Product: TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus Silver Edition

Purchase Time: 10/2011

Customer Type: Student

Product Serial#: 0A-3-02-37

Computer OS: Mac 10.6x (snow leopard)

Comments: To Ti-Cares,

Good Evening! I am hoping that you will be able to assist me with a problem I am currently having with connecting my calculator to my computer.

My account name is H******. I have already registered both my graphing calculators to my account. After downloading all necessary applications and guides, my software has been installed, updated, and is very helpful and useful to my Ti-Nspire touchpad calculator (I also updated that calculator to the current version as well).

My TI Connect X current version is 1.8 (1). My TI-Nspire Student Software current version is 3.1.0.392. Unfortunately, your only options for selecting my computer operating system does NOT include the current one, which is the one I am using right now: Mac 10.7.2 (NOT 10.6x).

For some reason, whenever I use Ti Connect X to plug in my Ti-84 Plus Silver Edition Calculator, it comes up with the message "Alert - A device was detected, but we could not communicate with it for some reason". I've tried everything: different cords (my friends have the same calculator), uninstalled and reinstalled the software, updated my computer and checked EVERYTHING, but the Ti Connect X will simply not connect with the calculator. My TI-84 Plus Silver Edition is brand new and even my new Mac computer is only a month old.

None of my other classmates have my Mac computer version, so their calculators are connecting and working to their computers. Their calculators and cords won't work with my computer though, only showing the same error message. I checked apple.com to see if I was the only one and I wasn't. The other gentleman here has the exact same problem as me:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3045539?start=0&tstart=0

Would it at all be possible to connect this calculator to my computer soon? The semester is already half way over and I wanted the opportunity to work with it but it doesn't seem like TI Connect X's software for my current Mac version is working.

Please let me know of any changes or upcoming updates at your convenience. I look forward to reading your response.

Thank you!

Renee Williams

Account name: H******

(END OF MESSAGE).

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And THIS is their resonse:

(START OF RESPONSE)

Renee,

Thank you for contacting Texas Instruments.

I regret that you are having difficulty connecting your TI-84 Plus calculator to your computer. Unfortunately, as of the introduction of the Mac 10.6.8 update, our calculators are experiencing a driver conflict with Mac computers running Mac 10.6.8 and higher. Our developers are aware of the issue, and are working on a solution, but we have not been given an estimate of when they expect the issue to be resolved. In the meantime, if you have access to a Mac running OS 10.6.7 or earlier, a Windows PC, or another TI-84 Plus family calculator that already has the files you are trying to install, you can use those methods to transfer.

Sincerely,

Daryl Ewry

Texas Instruments

Email: ti-cares@ti.com

General Information: (800) 842-2737

Technical Support: (972) 917-8324

Let me know how I'm doing. Fill out our customer survey at:http://education.ti.com/us/supportsurvey

(END OF RESPONSE)

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This was copied from my EXACT email (I took out my e:mail and TI account name though). I hope I did well in answering your question and helping you all out.

To beging, TI Connect was not working very well with Snow Leopar, with Lion it is not working at all. To ensure this connect the calculator to the computer via the usb and turn it on. Go to "about this Mac," then click on "more information," then click on "sytem report," then click on USB, wich is under "hardware." You should see your calculator there. I persanally, think that TI does not have a sense of urgency-if it can be called that-to fix any issue dealing with Mac system. Maybe if more people start calling or e-mailing them more often about the issue, then we could get the problem solved.

How long has it been since Apple released 10.6.7?

I wish Steve Jobs can make a better graphic calculator.

@TheArtElement unfortunately you are correct that your post will answer the questions, only it isn't any kind of solution.

It seems crazy to me the amount of macs I see around this college and TI has no solution since 10.6.8 came out? Totally unsatisfactory in my opinion. They are lucky they have a stranglehold on the Graphing Calculator business. It will run out though. Just ask Microsoft what happens to your marketshare after years of this kind of service...

I guess I have to install XP and waste valuable space on my macbook air just to be able to talk to my calculator. It would be nice to see someone else develop a software piece to work the TI calcs but I guess in the end I'd rather see them lose customers to another company willing to support the current OS on the mac.

I got a guy in my class to let me hook it up to his computer and it was having problems on Windows 7 as well. I didn't really look into it as this isn't an optimal solution... Maybe they have had a bug there since XP or something...

Thank you Keeks, I completely agree with you that not having our calculators work on our mac was a waste of their customer service. Yes, I am sorry I didn't give a solution, but their response yield no solution as well, just an answer for their stalling I suppose? If it worked fine before, then what would stop it from working now?

Alrobles, does this mean that people who own macs will not be assisted first? Although that has been typical for a while, I think the educational departments should always be satisfied with their products and connections before anything else is considered, but there are so many softwares and apps and updates being released at once...

Hbueain, I think 10.6.7 was released at the beginning of the year... February I think.

At this point I wouldn't mind what company takes the bate, Microsoft or another one, just to help us out. I bought this mac because I wanted to do my graphs and statistics on it with my graphing calculator and... that really was the main reason actually. All I have now is a few statistical/data arranging/graphing softwares, which is very nice, but it would be better, and make a lot more sense, to also have it communicate with my calculator.

Just as background data:

• Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 was released August 28, 2009.

That's the major release point --- TI should have been working on TI Connect for Snow Leopard then.

• 10.6.7 was released March 21, 2011.

• TI Connect 1.8 was last updated on May 31, 2010 to add support for 10.6 nine months after 10.6 was released.

Now:

• Mac OS X Lion 10.7 was released July 20, 2011

Given TI's history, I don't expect an update to TI Connect before May, 2012.

I can't get it to work on my Macbook (Lion 10.7.2). Had to fire up the PC and it works on there...You would think a company like TI would be able to work this out..

Hello Comrades,

Here are some solutions that might, might being the keyword, work. If these are of no solution,then keep reading my list of grieves against Texas Instrument (TI). The following is a link to Tilp, which offers a solution to the TI 89 Titanium connectivity with Macs. If you are a savvy PC/Mac user then you probably have a chance to solve your issue, but if are not, like me, then we are out ofluck. The link provides the steps to a ascript for the Mac. http://lpg.ticalc.org/prj_tilp/news.html

In my case, I’m going to have to revert to OS Snow Leopard. I will have to do this after my final exams. This might not be possible for those who recently bought their Mac because OS Lion was installed piror to shipping. And the last solution is to use a Windows OS if available. Of course this last one is my least favorite. Not because it is a total bad idea, but because this is a solution that a TI representative provided me when I called. My gripe of the comments is that TI does not market their products with the printed phrase, “If it doesnot work with your Mac, then use a friend’s PC.” I don’t believe TI will fix the issue. OS Lion was released on 1 July 2011. Many of other software companies fixed their compatibility with Lion within weeds of its release. TI on the other hand has not shown any inclination to fix the problem. What makes the issue even more annoying is that TI continues to market their products as Mac compatible, which is not true. At least they should place a label on their packages stating only OS Snow Leopard or earlier versions. Additionally, they continue to post TI Connect software on their web site without providing any clue to customers that it is not compatible with OS Lion. Something to think about is that in their customer support web site there is no mention about the current issue between OS Lion and TI products. Does this sound like a company trying to get a solution? May be another solution would be for more people to get involve by sending e-mails to TI and or call them. As you might notice in my second e-mail, I no longer have the patience to communicate with TI. In the way they conduct themselves, they give the impression that customer support is not in their priority list. Al

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Alfredo,

Thank you for contacting Texas Instruments.

It is unfortunate that you are having difficulties trying to connectyour Texas Instruments graphing calculator to your Macintosh. I will be morethan happy to answer your concerns.

First, I would like to inform you that Texas Instruments has nottested this software on Macintosh 10.7.2 OS. It was last updated to work withMacintosh 10.6.4 OS. While we will continue to troubleshoot any issues that mayarise I am not able to guarantee that a solution may be available.

If uninstalling and reinstalling the software did not resolve theissue, please be aware that our software developers are working on possiblesolutions for a possible future update to the software. Unfortunately, I do nothave an estimated time frame as to when this update may become available. Iapologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Another resource you can use to find answers to your questions,example calculations and other information is our Knowledge Base. The KnowledgeBase is accessible to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

http://support.education.ti.com

I hope that you find this information helpful. If you have furtherquestions or comments, please feel free to send me an email.

Warmest Regards,

César López

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Texas Instruments

Email: ti-cares@ti.com

General Information: (800) 842-2737

Technical Support: (972) 917-8324

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me know how I'm doing. Fill out our customer survey at: http://education.ti.com/us/supportsurvey

Check out our FREE interactive tutorials!

http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/nonProductMulti/training_online _tutorials.html?bid=4

---- Original Message ----

Country: US

Name: ALFREDO

Email:

Type of Service: ConnCalcToComp

Computer Software Setup/Usage:

Product Group: CompSftwre

Product: TI Connect

Purchase Time: 11/2010

Customer Type: Student

Product Serial#:

Computer OS: NotSelected

Comments: To Whom It May Concern,

I have a Macbookpro with OS 10.7.2 Lion and I cannot connect the Ti89 Titanium calculator to it. I'm using TI Connect 1.8 version. When I plug inthe calculator to the mac via USB I receive a message of, "A device wasdetected, but we could not communicate with it for some reason." I havenoticed that under the Macbookpro "System Report" that the Macbook isconnected with the TI 89. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling TIConnect, but I had have no success. With finals lurking around the conner, Ican only hope that the good people at TI could help me solve this issue. Forunknown reasons, probably my own fault, several applictions were deleted and Ican't reinstall them. I basically have a paper weight holder. Can you pleasehelp me? A stressed out student...

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Alfredo,

Thank you for contacting Texas Instruments.

It is unfortunate that you are having difficulties trying to connectyour Texas Instruments graphing calculator to your Macintosh. I will be morethan happy to answer your concerns.

First, I would like to inform you that Texas Instruments has nottested this software on Macintosh 10.7 OS. It was last updated to work withMacintosh 10.6.4 OS. While we will continue to troubleshoot any issues that mayarise I am not able to guarantee that a solution may be available.

If uninstalling and reinstalling the software did not resolve theissue, please be aware that our software developers are working on possiblesolutions for a possible future update to the software. Unfortunately, I do nothave an estimated time frame as to when this update may become available. Iapologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Another resource you can use to find answers to your questions,example calculations and other information is our Knowledge Base. The KnowledgeBase is accessible to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

http://support.education.ti.com

I hope that you find this information helpful. If you have furtherquestions or comments, please feel free to send me an email.

Warmest Regards,

César López

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Texas Instruments

Email: ti-cares@ti.com

General Information: (800) 842-2737

Technical Support: (972) 917-8324

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me know how I'm doing. Fill out our customer survey at: http://education.ti.com/us/supportsurvey

Check out our FREE interactive tutorials!

http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/nonProductMulti/training_online _tutorials.html?bid=4

---- Original Message ----

Country: US

Name: ALFREDO

Email:

Type of Service: ConnCalcToComp

Computer Software Setup/Usage:

Product Group: OtherGroup

Product: Other

Purchase Time: 11/2011

Customer Type: Student

Product Serial#:

Computer OS: NotSelected

Comments: I just bought the TI Kit, which by the way, it is supposedto be compatible with Mac OS. Unfortunately, it did not work. I'm extremelydisappointed that Texas Instrument market their products labeling them as Maccompatible when it is not true. I have sent various e-mails about my issueswith the TI 89 Titanium and the compatibly problem with the new Mac OS Lion.Lion has been out since July 20011 and TI has not yet fixed the connectivityissue? But TI continues to sell products labeled Mac compatible? If TI can'tfix the problem in a timely manner the very least, or honest thing they can dois to remove these product off the shelf. If TI does not want to remove thembecause of cost effectiveness then TI should be aware of what is costing theconsumers when they buy your products. Maybe this is not an issue that meritsnational press conference, but its been close to 6 months since the release ofLion and TI continues its market strategy without a sense of!

urgency, or should I say dubiously. I would like to speak to someonethat can answer my question and that at least have a sense of customer service.The way TI has approached this issue make many wonder why not change your helpweb page from TI Cares to TI Doesn't care. But then the small print on the backof TI products caught my attention, "Made in China". Well, thatexplains to low quality of the product, but it is not an excuse for the poorservice support. Please, put this in your priority list. If you really"care".

Alrobels, I am sorry to hear (and read) that they sent you the same message twice. Your frustration is well understood to me, everyone else on these boards, and I'm sure thousands more. That was rather rude. No reply at all would have been a bit better than that repeated attempt.

I don't want to revert my Mac to an older version since other graphing and statistical programs had to go through a lot of changes themselves just to be on my Mac, not including several otehr apps I use as well as collecting research that relies on the best updates around. You are right about TI needing to check back with their software a lot more, but those who work on the computer software are different than the people who advertise and market the software. Both of them are just doing their jobs, so rather than the customer service reps, the person who controls the entire TI company is the one who should be alerted first. Since I am not aware of a way to speak directly to that person, I am afraid that there is nothing else we can do up to this point.

I am just still very confused as that what was possibly updated from the Lepard to the Lion that could have caused the TI software not to work. Was it something "visual" to the numbers and latters that TI doesn't have in their developmental office meetings? It just seems weird. Yeah they skipped a couple of student's who had to deal with frustrating semesters, but I doubt that that alone will bring TI down. They have other products they advertise and create and advertise as well, just check out their Youtube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/texasinstrumentsVlog?feature=g-u . I don't think I saw anything with a calculator on there either, lol.

Has the problem been fixed yet? I have a similar problem with my TI-84+ on my iBook G4 (10.4.11) and eMac (10.3.9). They both see my TI-83+ just fine...

I just re-installed the connectivity software from the CD with no luck. I don't get the ALERT message, but the explorer force-quits itself when the calculator is conected.

This whole thread has been about TI software not working with 10.7 because they haven't gotten around to updating it yet. You have a different problem, and should start a new thread with an eye-catching title.

I'm having the same issue, so I emailed them about it. Hopefully this will help:

Subject: Connection Cannot Be Established between TI-84 Plus and TI Connect on Mac Running Lion (10.7)

Device Model: TI-84 Plus

Device OS: 2.40

Product #: 0A-3-02-28

Comments, Questions, or Problem Description: The subject speaks for itself. I'm running Mac OS 10.7.2. Upon plugging my calculator into my computer using a standard A to Mini-B USB cable with TI Device Explorer running and my calculator turned on, nothing happens. Upon turning the device off and then on while plugged in, I receive this alert from TI Device Explorer: http://g.zcr.me/RrwL, yet System Information indicates that the calculator is being properly recognized by the computer: http://g.zcr.me/Q2T7. This Apple support thread shows that a number of people are having the same issue, and has been active as recently as a week ago: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3045539. I have tried three different cables which all work fine when used with other Mini-USB devices, and I have tried using both of my USB ports with each cable. The problem is always the same. Using the Windows version of TI Connect through Parallels yields what seems to be the same issue.

My understanding is that TI Connect was last successfully tested on Mac OS 10.6.4. My intent is simply to submit a request for it to be updated with compatibility for the latest Mac operating system, 10.7.2 (though 10.7.3 is already available to developers, and I hope to see it supported too as well—hopefully, fixing the issue on 10.7.2 will provide some longer lasting stability). I have no access to computers running an older operating system (and no desire to downgrade for solely this purpose) so I have no way to access my calculator's filesystem until this is resolved, which is an issue as I regularly write programs on my calculator for school and back them up to my computer.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

George WS

Same exat issue. Worked fine with MAC OS 10.5, ever since getting lion, it "can't communicate"

Have you read any of the earlier posts in this thread? It's TI that has dropped the ball.