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TCF-S Focuser Older Downloads

Archived Drivers and Software for TCF-S focuser

TCF-S Focuser Software installers:

NOTE: In most cases, the most recent OptecTCF-S_Installer driver is the only driver required for new installations. Click here to download the current and most recent drivers for the TCF-S focuser.

This page provides our older program installers for archival purposes only. Some older ASCOM platforms may require the original TCF-S drivers. These drivers are no longer supported by Optec. Use at your own risk.

Here is a link to the entire download directory with older versions and ASCOM drivers: http://www.optecinc.com/astronomy/software/download/

IMPORTANT: See the note at the bottom of the page for Windows Vista and Windows 7 if you have problems running any program or with the HELP files.

Older Software and Drivers:

Setup_TCF-S_v1,40.exe (release date: 7/29/10) Installer program for original stand-alone TCF-S Control program Version 1.40. Compatible with TCF-S and TCF-S3 firmware versions V2.40 and TCF-Si/TCF-S3i firmware versions V3.00 and above. Will also work with earlier versions with some loss of function. Software copyright 2010 - Optec, Inc. (Free to distribute.)
View the TCF-S Control Help files.
Read and print the TCF-S Control Help File pdf.

OptecTCF(4.1.0)Setup.exe Installer program for the older TCF ASCOM Driver version 4.1.0. Works with original TCF-S focuser. NOTE: If using the older ASCOM driver version with the TCF-S or TCF-S3i, please read the Important Information below. Requires ASCOM Platform 5.0 or later. Compatible with most older TCF-S firmware versions. Driver courtesy Doug George.
NOTE: The original ASCOM driver version 4.1.0 and the 4.2.0 dll below have been demonstrated to behave improperly in temperature compensation mode with Maxim D/L. Many thanks to Howard Anderson for pointing out this issue. This issue has been completely resolved with the version 5.xx ASCOM drivers. Click here to download the current and most recent drivers for the TCF-S focuser. Additional TCF-S focuser software details including third-party software such as CCDSoft, Maxim DL, Equinox 6, and FocusMax can be found on our TCF-S Software Control page located here.

Important Information for TCF-S3 ASCOM users including MaxIM D/L:

The ASCOM driver version 4.1.0 formerly available on the ASCOM website and now mirrored on our site is a full executable setup package. However, this package does not provide full support for the TCF-S3. We recommend downloading the version 4.2.0 zip file found here.

Unzip the package and copy the file OptecTCF Driver.dll to the following location:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Focuser

Restart the ASCOM chooser to select the new version. Feel free to contact Optec if you have any problems with this procedure.

Known Technical Issues:

Language Issues with Liberty Basic complier.

NOTE: There is a problem with running any of the Optec control programs on computers set for Chinese, Korean and Japanese localization. Until the makers of Liberty Basic fix their compiler, your PC will have to be set for ENGLISH.

USB-to-Serial Converter Issues.

NOTE: If a USB-to-serial converter is needed to interface to an Optec instrument, it is necessary to confirm that the converter is compatible with the Optec control software. Many low cost converters using the Prolific chip set will not work with the Optec control software. We suggest that the converter use the FTDI chip set for best compatibility. The #17690 single port and the #17691 4-port USB-to-serial converter sold by Optec uses the FTDI chip set.

Known Issues with Vista and Windows 7

NOTE: Unfortunately, with Microsoft VISTA there is a problem with running the Optec control programs. It is necessary that the program be given administrator rights otherwise the program will crash with a message indicating that a file cannot be opened. The next release of Liberty Basic is suppose to fix this incompatibility. To make it work now for VISTA, find the program executable in Program Files. An easy way would be to look at the target for the shortcut in your start menu. For example, the TCF-S control program is named TCF-S.EXE and has the bow tie icon associated with it. Right click on the program and select properties and then the compatibility tab. Under the privilege level make sure there is a check mark for "Run this program as an administrator". If you want to be walked through, give us a call at Optec.

NOTE: Windows discontinued providing WinHlp32.exe with Vista. Some of the Optec programs still use this older version of help and may require this file be added back into the operating system.

For Vista users, click here to download the WinHlp32.exe installer from Microsoft.

For Windows 7 users, click here to download the WinHlp32.exe installer from Microsoft.