Lithium's Guide on Running Assembly on TI-84 Plus CE
READ HERE FIRST!
This is a guide to run assembly applications on the TI-84 Plus CE. This guide may work for the other CE models, but I cannot guarantee it would work. Please read everything carefully
NO CHEATING ALLOWED
This guide will not tell you how to bypass test mode, use an LLM on a TI-84 Plus CE, fake a RAM clear screen, etc. Cheating your way through a test never goes well and could result in Texas Instruments taking even further action against running any program.
Disclaimer
This guide is just made by u/LithiumCobalt91 on Reddit. I also go by other aliases online. This guide is provided under no warranty or charge. If you paid money for this guide, you have been scammed and should demand your money back asap.
Transferring files to the TI-84 Plus CE
For transferring files, I recommend using WebTILP. You can also use TI Connect CE, but I find WebTILP to be the most convenient option.
Checking your version
NEVER UPGRADE
It is never advisable to upgrade the OS on the TI-84 Plus CE. Upgrading will result in the loss of running assembly, thus requiring "jailbreaks". The latest version (5.8.5) has no currently known jailbreaks, basically meaning it is impossible to run any ASM programs.
For offical Texas Instruments App Reinstalls
If you are reinstalling apps which came on your version, download the apps bundle which match your current version here. Do not mistakenly download a newer version.
Follow these instructions to see your version:
- Turn on calculator
- Press 2nd > MEM.
- Press 1, which is labeled "About".
| Version | What to do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4 or earlier | No jailbreak needed, proceed to installing CE Libraries. | These versions can offically run ASM. Refer here for more info. |
| 5.5 to 5.8.3 | Proceed to installing arTIfiCE | A jailbreak is required after TI removed ASM support. |
| 5.8.4 | Proceed to installing arTIfiCE, with limitations. | The 5.8.4 bootloader prevents some ASM programs from working. If your calculator came with 5.8.4 new, then it probably has boot 5.8.4. However, the popular shells have now been updated to support 5.8.4. |
| 5.8.5 | Impossible to run ASM currently. No jailbreaks available. | Your best bet now is running TI-Basic programs or Python if you have a Python edition calculator. |
Installing arTIfiCE
As described on the website, arTIfiCE is a jailbreak for the TI CE line of calculators to run ASM again. However, if you are running 5.4 or earlier, you do not need to use arTIfiCE.
For 5.8.4 Users
Although arTIfiCE is compatible with 5.8.4, not all ASM applications would be able to run. This is due to the 5.8.4 bootloader being more locked down. Some applications have overcame it such as Cesium with a new PR (see below).
- Download arTIfiCE here.
- Connect your calculator to a computer, use WebTILP linked above.
- Follow any onscreen instructions if they appear.
- Click Choose Files > Select the .8xp file > Click Start Transfer. You may get a prompt to load the directory listing, just click OK when it appears.
- Press the PRGM button > Select *A > Press Enter > Press Enter again
- If you see arTIfiCE SHELL on the top, you have successfully installed arTIfiCE. Proceed to installing CE Libraries
Installing CE Libraries
Most ASM applications require CE Libraries as a dependency.
- Download the CE Libraries here. WebTILP supports
clibs.8xgso download that. - Refer to steps 2-4 on installing arTIfiCE.
- Once you installed them, you will not see them in the PRGM menu. That is normal and expected.
- Proceed to installing a shell.
Installing a Shell
A Shell is basically an application launcher for your calculator which replaces the built in PRGM menu or the arTIfiCE shell. A comparison table with the most popular is down below. You can find a list of shells to download here. Some programs may behave weird depending on what shell you use. Using arTIfiCE shell for everything may result in some glitchy experiences in some applications.
Launching after installer
Usually, a shell would install itself to the APPS menu for even quicker launching after installing it using the PRGM menu.
Using multiple shells
You can actually use multiple shells at once. Shells may hook into the TI menus for things like icons and ON menu shortcuts. Usually, the last shell opened in the apps menu takes priority over these hooks. A RAM clear will remove all hooks until you open a shell again.
| Shell | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cesium | Probably the most popular shell on the TI-84 Plus CE. Supports even running stuff from a USB stick, RAM backups, and password locking. This shell works on Boot 5.8.4. |
| CEaShell | A very customizable modern shell. This shell now supports 5.8.4 and is also very user friendly. |
| VYSION CE | A Windows-like shell. May not have all the features like Cesium. This shell is very old and may not work on 5.8.4 in a reliable manner. |
| arTIfiCE Shell | Very basic, but can run on everything that arTIfiCE can run on. If you have arTIfiCE, this is just the menu that it comes with. Some applications may misbehave (in my experience) using arTIfiCE shell. |
Once downloading a shell of your choice, make sure to follow the read me file. Each shell may have different instructions, so I cannot provide instructions here. You can still use WebTILP to send the files over to the calculator though. Usually, just run it like a program (use arTIfiCE if you needed to use it), then install, and then delete the installer when prompted.
Once you installed your shell of choice, it would likely appear in the apps menu. This means you do not need arTIfiCE to launch programs now. You can delete it safely now. However, if you put the calculator in test mode, all apps installed in the APPS menu will be deleted including shells such as Cesium. If this happens, install arTIfiCE (if needed) and get the shell installer (such as Cesium) back on the calculator and follow those steps again.
If you have reached this point, you have everything now to run ASM applications on your calculator! You can find ASM applications here.