Repeated BSOD after firmware update - Surface pro 3, Windows 10

Anonymous
2015-09-30T05:24:22+00:00

Hey everyone

There was a firmware update for the SP3 I just did and my device now seems completely bricked. When I boot it, I instantaneously get a BSOD with one of those two messages : kernel security check failure or driver unloaded without cancelling pending operations.

The BSOD tells me I have to use a win10 device to boot it from, but when I tell the BIOS to boot with my USB win10 key, it doesn't and keeps telling that the OS can't boot and to use a win10 disc (no CD reader on the SP3). Nothing I've tried works so far. 

I've had my sp3 for just over a year and I really liked it before windows 10, and I really hope I can get it fixed.

Thanks for your help, 

Émile

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

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Anonymous
2015-10-01T02:21:41+00:00

MODERATOR EDIT (10/5/2015): Steps listed here previously are now updated to the following.  If you receive a blue screen error after installing the 9/29/2015 Surface Firmware Update please start at step 1 to address.

Step 1 – System Restore Point

1.    Boot Surface using USB recovery media.  If you do not have recovery media you can download from here: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/downloadablerecoveryimage.  Once you have recovery media proceed to next steps.  Note:  The USB drive must be formatted to FAT32 (not NTFS) in order to work correctly.

2.    Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button.  When the Surface logo appears release the volume-down button.

3.    When prompted select the language and keyboard layout you want.

4.    Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, followed by selecting System Restore then select the target operating system.

5.    In System Restore, click Next.

6.    Click on a system restore point that was prior to applying the System Firmware update. Please use a restore point 9/28 or earlier.

7.    Click Next.

8.    Click Finish.

9.    Click Yes when asked if you want to continue.

10.    After moving to an earlier restore point you should boot into Windows.

If you were able to restore to an earlier restore point you should now be able to use your Surface again, no additional steps are needed.  If you were not able restore to an earlier restore point or you did not have a restore point then continue to step 2 below.

Step 2 – Safe Mode

1.    Boot Surface using USB recovery media by pressing and holding the volume-down button while you press and release the power button.  When the Surface logo appears release the volume-down button.

2.    When prompted select the language and keyboard layout you want.

3.    Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, followed by selecting Command Prompt.

4.    Type the following command in the command prompt and then press enter:

               bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes

5.    Type the following command in the command prompt and then press enter.

               exit

6.    Press Turn off your PC.

7.    Press the power button on Surface to turn it on.

8.    Press F8 when the Windows Boot Manager screen comes up to go to Startup Settings.

9.    Press “4” to enable Safe Mode.

10.    Surface may do disk checking as well as perform a scan and repair.  Surface will then restart.  If Surface does not do this and instead boots into Safe Mode, go to step 13.

11.    Press F8 when the Windows Boot Manager screen comes up to go to Startup Settings.

12.    Press “4” to enable Safe Mode.

13.    Surface will start in Safe Mode.  Sign into Surface.  Press the Windows Start Menu, press Power and select Restart.

14.    Press Enter when the Windows Boot Manager screen comes up to boot into Windows 10.

15.    Surface will start normally.  Sign into Surface.  Right-click the Windows Start Menu and click Command Prompt (Admin).

16.    Click Yes to allow this app to make changes.

17.    Type the following command in the command prompt and then press enter.

               bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu no

18.    Press the Windows Start Menu, press Power and select Restart.

If you are now able to boot into Windows you should now be able to use your Surface again, no additional steps are needed. If you were not able to boot into Windows then continue to step 3 below.

Step 3 – Reset Surface to factory settings

1.    Follow the steps in the article below to boot Surface using USB recovery media and reset Surface back to factory settings: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/usbrecovery

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Josh

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-10-05T19:46:38+00:00

    Daan,

    I hope you've been able to get into System Restore to recover.

    I was advised that it was pulled from WU, but that it can be downloaded onto computers and installed up to 10 days later. Which might be what happened here. I think this means that anyone who can get to System Restore and use a Restore Point from 9/28 or a little earlier can recover and that the update won't be offered/installed.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-05T18:21:32+00:00

    Did the same thing, and it took me several days to restore my programs & settings. I've learned my lesson now, so I went through all the programs I use regularly, and saved to an external drive all of the restored settings that were lost during this debacle. Example: Edge favorites, Office quick access toolbar settings, CUSTOM.DIC, etc. This required a fair amount of googling and digging around on the C: drive, but it's now done.

    I agree that this is completely disgraceful and negligent behavior by Microsoft.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-05T18:11:58+00:00

    It pains me to say this - but there's a workaround.   Tell the OS that all of your network connections are metered.  Windows 10 won't download updates over a metered connection.  You will at least have some level of control.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-05T17:38:52+00:00

    I gave up looking for a fix.

    I went for the RESET YOUR PC option and said goodbye to all my programs and apps.

    It took around 45 mins before I had my Surface Pro 3 workings again.

    It will take around 6 days to get all my programs re-installed again....Grrr!!!

    The good news is that I didn't lose my data (Phew).

    I am really angry about this.

    Not only am I amazed that Microsoft managed to break their own flagship device but since Windows has mandatory updates, there is nothing I can do to stop it happening again and again and again!

    Bring back Windows 8.1.... (And I never in my life thought I would ever say THAT!)

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