How do you turn off this calculator.

For the WriteView calculators EL-W5xx, you press 2ndF MATH to open (SetUp). Select 2:Editor, then 0:view.

One of the statistical plots is still active and you must turn it OFF.

1. Press [2nd][Y=] to open the (STAT PLOT) configuration screen.
2. Press [4:PlotsOFF]
3. The PlotsOff Command echoes on main calculator screen.
4. Press [ENTER] to run command.
5. Go back to [Y=] editor to edit the functions if necessary, then press [GRAPH].

TI calculators have an annoying habit of dimming the screen when the batteries are changed so that it appears as if the calculator isn't turning on. Turn the calculator on (or at least press the ON key). Press and release the 2ND key. Press and hold the Up-arrow key for a few seconds and see whether the screen becomes legible.

If this doesn't do it, please reply to this post and we'll go on from there.

Try putting in a new battery.

Having gone over a month with no response, I assume this is no longer a problem.

this is what i think you mean, if i diss-understood you (thought you mean something else) im sorry, then i dont know what to do
thats when you set your ti 84+ screen to very dark. this is how to solve it:
go and open mirage OS, and then just press the "-" (minus) button. the screen should get lighter.

[2nd] [ON], or let it sit for about 3 minutes

this might seem weird.... but have you checked the brightness of your calculator? if someone was playing with it and set the brightness to 0 it wont seem like there is anything. if u press second then hold the up arrow key it will make the screen darker. I dont know if this will help you or not but i know some of my friends like to play pranks where they set the brightness really high.

check if it has a mode button, press mode then deg.

Sounds like your pc had a static charge that it discharged to your TI and that it fried something inside the TI. No warranty, No fix. You gotta buy a new one.