Surface Pro 1 on Windows 8.1 reboots when Type Cover 2 is removed

Good news.  After chatting with a Surface support rep, they have recognized the random reboot issue.  The rep told me that there is currently a fix in the works and they hope for a quick release.  

Unfortunately, the keyboard issues may not be related, as it sounds like this fix only targets the reboot issue.

Here is a copy of my email I haven't heard back since my reply on Nov 25th, so guys good luck Take a number. NOTE: I removed my name and Case #

Surface Support

To Me

Nov 25

Dear _________,

My name is Matt. I am a member of the Surface CARE team. We specialize in handling customer scenarios that are indicated as being in need of further review by our front line support team. While these scenarios can often times be frustrating, rest assured that the CARE team is well equipped, and capable of handling your issue. We will work hard to find you the best resolution possible. As the first step to finding that resolution, I will be the individual working with you to resolve your case for Service Request Number xxxxxxxxxxx.   If you would like, I can continue to work with you via email to assist you towards gaining a resolution. Simply just respond to this communication. Or, if you'd like, I can contact you via phone if that is more convenient for you. If that is the case, please respond to this email with your preferred phone number, and time of day. I will make every effort to call you at your preferred time.   If you could please do me a favor, and attach the photo from the twiiter upload, as well as provide the model number for your gesuture mouse.  I would greatly appreciate that.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out through this email. I definitely look forward to working with you!

Thank you,

Matt

Surface CARE Team

This problem arose for me after updating to 8.1, as it did for others. After a month of frustration, I refreshed my Surface 1 back to 8.0 and re-downloaded the driver and firmware updates and the problem re-emerged.

Something that I just noticed while trying to roll back my Surface 1's drivers: The Type 1 Keyboard has the tiniest bit of play side-to-side. While watching the Device Manager, when I tug the keyboard to the left until it clicks, the devices related to it disappear from the Manager list and it becomes unresponsive. When I tug it back to the right, said devices reappear and I can use the keyboard again.

Perhaps the updated drivers/firmware don't handle these sudden changes very well. At the very least, this may be another clue to help solve the mystery.

I can report the same with my Surface Pro with Type Cover 1. However, I will notice some patterns that could help diagnose this:

When I have the Surface Pro sitting on my desk (e.g. not moving around), it is rock-solid - no reboots, no keyboard problems, no sleep or power issues (pulling in from other threads on this...). In other words, as long as I don't start moving around with my Surface Pro, it is perfectly fine. I work for hours at a time at my desk with never a problem.

But when I pick it up and go portable (like a good tablet), I see the issues that others have:

• Problems with my Type Cover 1 - keyboard unresponsive, trackpad unresponsive. If I unplug the Type Cover and snap it back then it usually restores.
• Random reboots - usually when I think the Surface Pro was put in sleep mode. When I start to use it again it I get the Surface logo. A couple of times when I have snapped my Type Cover on it reboots.
• Sleep mode - several times I thought my Surface Pro was in sleep mode, it was actually running. I never hear the fan, and actually the unit doesn't run warm like it usually does. But something is clearly draining the battery.

Help!

Skip

Just noticed this is occurring on my new Surface 2 (not pro).

In the last 24 hours, according to my Event Viewer, the Surface 2 RT has rebooted twice on its own.  In both situations, it was sitting in sleep mode.  Once while on power, once while on batter.

In both cases, a Type Cover 2 was attached, closed.