Toppy Driver
A special driver (WinUSB) is needed to access a Topfield TF5800 or TF5810 from a windows pc (the driver that Microsoft automatically selects for you will not work).
The driver, and instructions for it's use were originally available from http://www.haselgrove.id.au/antares/z4t.html (basically, one runs z4t.exe and follows the onscreen instructions about when to connect the Toppy; see bottom of page for further information).
The same z4t.exe program can be used on pcs running the XP, Vista, Win7, Win10 or Win11 operating systems (both 32 and 64 bit)
Note: Haselgrove's site no longer appears to be available; a copy of it's information can be found here.
Extra steps if you are using Win11 (Click on this to display more info)
By default, Win11 security does not allow "unsigned" drivers to be installed.
This means that extra steps are necessary before running z4t.
Warning: BitLocker
Microsoft uses a product called BitLocker. Basically, the data on the disk is encrypted so that it cannot be read in another pc unless one knows the encryption key (8 six digit numbers). If your system uses BitLocker, you will need to manually type your disk's encryption key when the system reboots i.e. print it off before you start! (see below on how to obtain codes).
W11 provides a Control Panel option to disable/enable BitLocker on drives. Users have suggested that it is easier to disable the encryption on drive C: (about 45 minutes?), install the driver and then, if still required, reenable the encryption (another 45 minutes).
Note: If encryption is enabled, W11 should warn you that you will need it's codes to continue.
The Install
Basically, one has to disable Driver Enforcement to install the driver on a Win11 system. To do this, proceed as follows:
Make sure all "work in progress" files are saved (because the PC will be rebooted)
It is a good idea to download the z4t.exe first and place it in an easy accessible location e.g. the download folder or as a shortcut on the desktop
Use Control Panel option (BitLocker Drive Encryption) to disable BitLocker on drive C: ( assuming you don't want to type in the 48 digit encryption key)
Type Settings in the "Type here to search" box on the task bar
Click System
Click Recovery
Select Advanced Startup and click Restart Now
(The PC will REBOOT at this point!)
Select TroubleShoot and select Advanced Options
Select Startup Settings
Click Restart
The PC will reboot a second time
Enter your BitLocker 48 digit number (only needed if C: drive is still encrypted)
On the Startup Settings screen, press 7 or F7 to disable "driver signature enforcement"
Note: the enforcement will only be disabled for the duration of the next boot i.e. if it doesn't work for some reason then you need to repeat all the above steps before running z4t.
The pc will restart
Run z4t
Reenable BitLocker on drive C: (only if you disabled it previously)
Obtaining your BitLocker Code
To determine your BitBlocker code:-
Right click the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)"
Type in the following command (note "manage-bde" is one word)
manage-bde -protectors C: -get
Extra steps if you are using Win10 (Click on this to display more info)
By default, Win10 security does not allow "unsigned" drivers to be installed.
This means that extra steps are necessary before running z4t.
Warning: BitLocker
My Dell pc uses a product called BitLocker. Basically, the data on the disk is encrypted so that it can't be read in another pc unless one knows the encryption key (8 six digit numbers). If your system uses BitLocker, you will need to manually type your disk's encryption key when the system reboots i.e. print it off before you start! (see below on how to obtain codes).
Note: You can ignore the BitLocker steps if it is not installed on your system. If it is in use then W10 will warn you that you will need it's codes to continue.
Unlike W11, there is no Control Panel option to disable encryption on drive C: i.e. you will need to enter the encryption key.
But a user has reported that his PC running Win10 22H2 has the same options for Bit Locker as Win11 22H2 i.e. Control Panel => Bit Locker Encryption. If yours also has this menu option then you might prefer to follow the instructions for Win 11.
The Install
Basically, one has to disable Driver Enforcement to install the driver on a Win10 system. To do this, proceed as follows:
Make sure all "work in progress" files are saved (because the PC will be rebooted)
It is a good idea to download the z4t.exe first and place it in an easy accessible location e.g. the download folder or as a shortcut on the desktop
Type Settings in the "Type here to search" box on the task bar
Click Update and Security
Click Recovery
Select Advanced Startup and click Restart Now
(The PC will REBOOT at this point!)
Select TroubleShoot
Select Advanced Options (no longer necessary)
Select Startup Settings
Click Restart
The PC will reboot a second time
If necessary, enter your BitLocker 48 digit number
On the Startup Settings screen, press 7 or F7 to disable "driver signature enforcement"
Note: the enforcement will only be disabled for the duration of the next boot i.e. if it doesn't work for some reason then you need to repeat all the above steps before running z4t.
The pc will restart
Run z4t
There is no need to enable BitLocker again (it eas never disabled)
Obtaining your BitLocker Code
To determine your BitLocker code:-
Right click the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)"
Type in the following command (note "manage-bde" is one word)
manage-bde -protectors C: -get
Running z4t
Note: On my Win10 desktop, I didn't need to "Run As Administrator" (you might have to do so)
When z4t is run, windows will tell you that the driver is unsigned (possibly not on XP systems)
You need to select "INSTALL THIS DRIVER ANYWAY"
z4t will tell you whether or not the installation was successful.