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Development => Calculators => Calculator News, Coding, Help & Talk => Topic started by: E37 on October 01, 2016, 09:59:29 PM

Title: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: E37 on October 01, 2016, 09:59:29 PM
I am a firm believer that if it fits, then it should work! (I don't know how to say that without sounding wierd)
So, I bought a mini usb to USB converter. (read ti84 to flashdrive)
I was dumb and bought the wrong type! (It still fits but won't connect)
I was wondering if any hardware geeks could help my poor state. (I'm unwilling to but another $1.50 cord) I essentially have the newer version of the usb. (It has an extra pin or something)
I can't see how having too much of something is a bad thing...
So... now I'm convinced that I'll make it work. Don't worry, I have no clue what I'm doing.
Who knows? Maybe I'll fulfill my delusions of grandeur! So... I all I need to do is figure out how FAT16 is formatted and how to read and write to it! Any ideas/ suggestions? (Or don't post at all - just to show how bad an idea this really is)
I'll report back when I realize that I can't do this!
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: aetios on October 01, 2016, 10:08:28 PM
(Why is this categorized in this weird category? O.o)
Is this about the 84CE or the TI-84+ ? For the latter there is MSD8X which I used a lot. Useful program.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: E37 on October 01, 2016, 10:14:33 PM
Quote from: aeTIos on October 01, 2016, 10:08:28 PM
(Why is this categorized in this weird category? O.o)
Is this about the 84CE or the TI-84+ ? For the latter there is MSD8X which I used a lot. Useful program.
Because I didn't see a better category. Feel free to change it if you think there is a better one. I have used msd8x. It doesn't work with usb-b's.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: aetios on October 01, 2016, 10:38:15 PM
Quote from: E37 on October 01, 2016, 10:14:33 PM
Quote from: aeTIos on October 01, 2016, 10:08:28 PM
(Why is this categorized in this weird category? O.o)
Is this about the 84CE or the TI-84+ ? For the latter there is MSD8X which I used a lot. Useful program.
Because I didn't see a better category. Feel free to change it if you think there is a better one. I have used msd8x. It doesn't work with usb-b's.

Well, right now we're posting in the File Download Archives :) MSD8X indeed doesn't work with USB-B, you will need a USB-A adapter, these are better known as 'OTG' adapters.
Your point 'if it fits it should work' doesn't really hold up here, see e.g. this:
(http://www.dansdata.com/images/blog/adapter_chain.jpg)
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: novenary on October 01, 2016, 10:45:48 PM
Note that you can make a regular mini B plug into a mini A plug by shorting the pins together with a small ball of aluminum.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Types-usb_th1.svg)
You need to short pins 4 and 5 together, and then any device will see an A plug.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: DarkestEx on October 01, 2016, 10:52:23 PM
Quote from: Streetwalrus on October 01, 2016, 10:45:48 PM
Note that you can make a regular mini B plug into a mini A plug by shorting the pins together with a small ball of aluminum.
@E37 This is a really bad idea and I strongly discourage it. You could easily short out the data wires or even the power ones and that could damage your stick/calc.
Btw, your USB stick needs power. You need to inject 5v into the wire IIRC.
Also go and buy an OTG adapter. They are dirt cheap and the way better bet in this case. Don't go for the DIY approach. It's not worth it.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: E37 on October 01, 2016, 11:17:11 PM
Quote from: DarkestEx on October 01, 2016, 10:52:23 PM
Quote from: Streetwalrus on October 01, 2016, 10:45:48 PM
Note that you can make a regular mini B plug into a mini A plug by shorting the pins together with a small ball of aluminum.
@E37 This is a really bad idea and I strongly discourage it. You could easily short out the data wires or even the power ones and that could damage your stick/calc.
oops... too late... Nothing happened - nothing at all! It didn't work and nothing broke.
@aeTIos I don't see anything wrong with that picture - should work! :trollface:
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: novenary on October 01, 2016, 11:19:07 PM
Fyi, I've done it before. Use a tiny flathead screwdriver to make sure it's properly in there. Shorting data lines won't damage anything. and the risk is only very mild if you happen to short the power line. I don't know how well the protection circuit is built in these calcs, but you don't even risk shorting the power line (pin 1) in the first place.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: DarkestEx on October 01, 2016, 11:20:08 PM
Quote from: E37 on October 01, 2016, 11:17:11 PM
Quote from: DarkestEx on October 01, 2016, 10:52:23 PM
Quote from: Streetwalrus on October 01, 2016, 10:45:48 PM
Note that you can make a regular mini B plug into a mini A plug by shorting the pins together with a small ball of aluminum.
@E37 This is a really bad idea and I strongly discourage it. You could easily short out the data wires or even the power ones and that could damage your stick/calc.
oops... too late... Nothing happened - nothing at all! It didn't work and nothing broke.
@aeTIos I don't see anything wrong with that picture - should work! :trollface:
Then please don't continue testing with it. I would never do this to a 120€ calculator. I would rather spend 3€ on a proper OTG cable than ruining my hardware (note that you are dealing with external +5v @ >= 500 mA, which can screw up your calc badly if you short them out against the D+ and D- wires).
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: E37 on October 01, 2016, 11:25:39 PM
Quote from: DarkestEx on October 01, 2016, 11:20:08 PM
Quote from: E37 on October 01, 2016, 11:17:11 PM
Quote from: DarkestEx on October 01, 2016, 10:52:23 PM
Quote from: Streetwalrus on October 01, 2016, 10:45:48 PM
Note that you can make a regular mini B plug into a mini A plug by shorting the pins together with a small ball of aluminum.
@E37 This is a really bad idea and I strongly discourage it. You could easily short out the data wires or even the power ones and that could damage your stick/calc.
oops... too late... Nothing happened - nothing at all! It didn't work and nothing broke.
@aeTIos I don't see anything wrong with that picture - should work! :trollface:
Then please don't continue testing with it. I would never do this to a 120€ calculator. I would rather spend 3€ on a proper OTG cable than ruining my hardware (note that you are dealing with external +5v @ >= 500 mA, which can screw up your calc badly if you short them out against the D+ and D- wires).
Ok... I'll stop. Risking an expensive calc isn't worth it.
I guess that is the end of this thread - unless there is some magical way to make it work.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 13, 2016, 11:34:07 PM
In the event where the above pic worked, I bet that the transfer speed would be 1 bit per second.

Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: p2 on October 14, 2016, 05:39:55 PM
but we got 4 adapters, which each support up to 300MB/s which means 4*300 = 1.2GB per second?  :trollface:
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 15, 2016, 05:14:30 AM
If one adapter goes at 1 KB/second, then it slows everything else to 1 KB behind it. Just like car traffic. If a car rolls at 10 km/h on a single-lane road, then everyone else is stuck behind at 10 km/h. I'm betting that there is also some slowdown that would occur between adapters.

Also, I remember when I used a serial link cable with my calculator. On a TI-83+ it took 30 minutes to send an OS O.O
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: WholeWheatBagels on October 15, 2016, 08:19:51 PM
What even are all those adapters in that picture...?
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on November 15, 2016, 12:06:11 AM
USB to PS2, PS2 to serial, serial to DVI and DVI to parallel.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: c4ooo on November 15, 2016, 12:11:08 AM
Quote from: E37 on October 01, 2016, 09:59:29 PM
I am a firm believer that if it fits, then it should work!
What about mare+man? :trollface:
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: E37 on November 15, 2016, 04:23:50 PM
Quote from: c4ooo on November 15, 2016, 12:11:08 AM
Quote from: E37 on October 01, 2016, 09:59:29 PM
I am a firm believer that if it fits, then it should work!
What about mare+man? :trollface:
I'm going to pretend I don't understand what you mean.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: p2 on November 15, 2016, 06:57:52 PM
Quote from: E37 on October 01, 2016, 09:59:29 PM
I am a firm believer that if it fits, then it should work!
As a little kid I used to believe that, too, especially considering all the power sockets in the walls...  :) Sadly my mother didnt support my curiosity and got angry when I tried out if random things like forks and  sticks would fit in there :(
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on December 15, 2016, 08:26:21 PM
Er I am glad your mom prevented you from putting a fork in there, though. She saved your life <_<. As kids we were very curious, which is natural, but we don't know about all dangers yet
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: p2 on December 15, 2016, 09:00:10 PM
we have those flat plastic protectors inside, you have to press against it and then move it upwards in order to get it inside...
problem: as a kid that was no safety mechanism but rather a cool challenge... <_<
gave me all the motivation needed to try it :ninja:
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on December 16, 2016, 06:21:59 AM
Over here, many parents just used to put those plastic covers on top of sockets to prevent kids from putting their fingers or objects in, but they always seemed easy to remove for me.
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: p2 on December 16, 2016, 08:26:51 AM
we had these ones and they were really hard to get rid of xD (once they're inside its almost impossible to get them out again)
(http://microsites.pearl.de/i/07/nc3018_0.jpg)
Title: Re: Link cable -> USB stick
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on December 16, 2016, 05:27:23 PM
Those looks definitively harder to remove than the ones for North American outlets.