Surface Pro 2 - Surface cover telemetry driver / blank screen after putting tablet to sleep

Anonymous
2013-10-23T05:19:56+00:00

Hi, 

I just picked up my Surface Pro 2 256GB today and it ran into problems right after applying the firmware update that seemed to have been released just today on Windows Update.  I confirmed this problem was caused by the firmware update because I restored the tablet and the wireless was working fine and I applied the firmware update and that broke the wireless.

After the update, the Marvell AVASTAR Wireless Composite Device stopped working...meaning, the tablet does not recognize the wireless card.  This is confirmed by going into the Device Manager and seeing 2 unknown devices (one of them was the wireless card, the other unrecognized device I will explain in the next paragraph) When I tried running the update driver function, it tried to reinstall the driver but returned the following error.

Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device

Reinstall the drivers for this device (Code 18)

I had to go the manual route and there were 2 Marvell drivers listed and one Microsoft driver listed for the Marvell card.  The 2 marvell drivers listed had exactly the same name.  However, only choosing and applying the second one worked.  So, the wireless was working again.

The other "unknown device" turned out to be something called "Surface Cover Telemetry".  However, trying the same troubleshooting process for the wireless card did not solve the problem and the devices still remains "unknown" in the device manager.  I just left it and carried on with installing my other software and apps as the tablet and the Type Cover 2 seemed to be functioning properly.

However, when I put the tablet to sleep by closing the Type Cover (while on battery power but charged up to 100%), the screen remained blank even though I opened up the cover again and tried to wake the tablet.  I knew that the tablet was still on but the screen remained blank even after I tried touching it, typing on the keyboard as well as briefly tapping the on/off button.  When I touch the Windows icon on the bottom frame of the tablet, I can feel a slight vibration and that told me that the tablet was on but the screen somehow is totally off.

I decided to do a soft reset of the tablet by holding on the on/off button for more then 10 seconds.  However, the screen only worked properly after many attempts.

My questions are, could it be that this "unknown device" that needs the "Surface Cover Telemetry" driver is causing this blank screen problem?  And if so, where can I download a driver that works?

Thanks.

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

236 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-16T16:06:41+00:00

    Sounds good my friend, and delighted to hear another Windows PC has found a good home! Dell have obviously been in the game a little longer than Microsoft so I'm sure they've probably buttoned down the hatches a little better but it's good to see so much variety in the market now and I'm particularly interested in the hybrid desktop / tablets... will be interesting so see how they develop. You can always get a Bluetooth keyboard for your Dell anyway and as you say, Windows 8.1 is super quick and runs well on most things. If you don't need more than Office, then by the sounds of it, you've done well and found something that suits you without the gremlins! :-) I was only asking as I was looking for a cheaper solution for my girlfriend - seems like you're happy to recommend.

    Will park this here as this forum is really for those looking to fix the Oct update debacle but it's been nice chatting!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-16T13:53:26+00:00

    I completely agree and understand that new tech needs time to have issues worked out and I don't want to come across as bashing the Surface Pro 2.  Before I reset it, it worked great, better after the Nov. update. Then I reset it... I never did try the Surface RT version because I need the full Windows for work. The Dell is new tech also, yet doesn't seem to have these issues. For me, the Dell is perfect. Granted it's only an Intel Atom processor, but Windows 8.1 is such a great OS that it's faster than one might imagine. It doesn't have a Type or Touch Cover, which were really great on the Surface, but for the price, it's perfect. It also comes with a free full version of MS Office Home and Student, which is something I needed. That was a $120 savings. Everything has its pro's and con's. I'm sure I'll give the Surface another chance. For now it's just nice not worrying about what's not going to work next...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-16T10:34:51+00:00

    That's a shame as you are able to fix this issue quite easily, albeit the issue shouldn't have raised it's ugly head in the first place of course. I put it down to teething issue with new tech - the same reason why companies hold off buying the latest kit until they are sure these things have been ironed out (same with any tech whether Apple, Microsoft, Google, phones, servers or games consoles. The issue is being reported on Surface Pros running Windows 8.1. Did you have the same issue with a Surface RT? Curious to know as you mentioned the Dell having full Windows, which of course the Pro also comes with. How do you like the Dell?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-16T10:29:06+00:00

    Yes, that should work. Only thing I would add by way of a recommendation is to create restore points after resetting, before each install or update and remember to restart your PC each time. I would also recommend manually installing the WiFi drivers from the manual links before installing the Oct firmware update and also install all other updates before the firmware (hide firmware update in the first instance). This should ensure you have no further issues. The Nov update appears to have fixes everything but if you don't have an ethernet adaptor and can't connect wirelessly to install that, then it's a problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments