Surface book: April 2020 firmware updates bricked my device

Anonymous
2020-05-21T22:11:24+00:00

This morning my surface book downloaded some firmware updates and asked for me to restart my device.

(Here's the details on the update: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4023488/surface-surface-book-update-history )

However, after the first restart, I find that the surface book is in a constant restart state. I cannot even force it to shut down or boot the UEFI menu.

This is exactly what it does:

Every 10 seconds or so, it will turn on, show me the "Surface" boot logo, and after 1 second immediately turns off. It does not even reach any Windows boot up sequence.

I found the following topic which advised doing a few steps but nothing works: 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-book-stuck-in-continuous-restarting-loop/91bc5782-aabf-4555-847a-05b92c88da6d

Could I please get some advice on what to do or how to fix this?

Thank you

Update: Seems the common factor between everyone who is having the issue is that the secure boot is disabled (I.e. there is a 'red strip' shown with an unlock icon being shown). 

Update 2: I have been told my Microsoft that they believe the fault has nothing to do with them. The high number of people who are in this thread with the exact same issue clearly shows that the fault is NOT ours. We are now looking to take legal action as this forced firmware update caused damage to our devices, for which we require compensation from Microsoft (a fix or a replacement free of charge).

For taking legal action and making complaints follow this link:https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/legal/arbitration/EU-ODR.aspx

Surface | Surface Book | Install and update

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-12T11:23:00+00:00

    Just wanted to give you all an update on the situation.

    Microsoft is now completely ignoring my requests for information. Last I spoke to them, they suggested that their technical support can at least offer an explanation, but when I took them up on the offer they then stopped communicating with me.

    Honestly - I cannot believe the amount of corporate greed. In such a tough time, these guys have decided to screw things up more. I've lost my job this year due to Covid and now Microsoft are asking me for money to fix the laptop that they crashed in the first place. Even if I did want to replace the device, I'm in no financial position to do so.

    Does anyone know what legal steps I can take against Microsoft? I'm trying to ODR route, but I don't see that going anywhere at the moment.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-08-29T19:46:51+00:00

    the microsoft devices portal shows i can send in for service, so may give that a go.

    At least they may say whats wrong (and im sure try to charge) then try to explain how its not entirely an issue of their creation.

    I would love to hear an explanation. Because at the moment Microsoft are not explaining anything. Just saying "it's not our fault" is not good enough

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-07T23:42:39+00:00

    i'd expand on the idea of "pulling the cmos battery" a bit:

    my understanding is that not the bios configuration is shot (which is stored in volatile memory) but instead the bios data on the eeprom chip, meaning even entirely powering down the chip wouldn't help.

    my guess is that having secure boot disabled broke the eeprom reflash process and the bios chip now has binary soup in it instead of a consistent bios image.

    we'd either need to physically replace the chip (where do we get one with a bios image?) or attach an eeprom flasher (since the bios chip is DIP and not BGA, it would theoretically be possible) and rewrite the chip (but where do we get the file?)

    both involves opening the bloody thing, tho =/

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-29T21:46:21+00:00

    Any news I am still waiting :(

    I think it is caused by UEFI update. I can not reach USB driver or UEFI screen. And I can not do force shutdown. More sad, I read the news and it says Microsoft is going to close the stores !?!? What? what should I do ?

    Even I can not go to store because in my country Microsoft does not serve. And this problem can be solving by UEFI flashing. And I can not do this again because it is necessary to open Surface. 

    MICROSOFT HEAR ME.

    I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO BUY NEW SURFACE OR COMPUTER!!I AM A STUDENT WİTH ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES PLEASE CONTACT ME

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-06-25T18:23:47+00:00

    Lols. Just replied to your reddit too :) good luck with your pursuit... Maybe your lawyer would love to take on all cases if youre sucessful :)

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