From the Microsoft Download Center

Nov 27, 2009 12:48 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has released an update for its first commercial example of surface computing products, designed to resolve issues associated with user input. Specifically, the company explains that some Microsoft Surface units can no longer respond to input from users. According to the software giant, such problems are only occasional and easily fixable. This is why, a BIOS Update for Microsoft Surface is currently available for download. The BIOS refresh is up for grabs on the Microsoft Download Center and will allow Microsoft Surface customers to make sure that their units function properly.

“Some Microsoft Surface units might occasionally stop responding (that is, lock up or freeze) to any input, including touch input, a keyboard, or a mouse, even if the SCM status indicator lights in the I/O connections area show Green-Green-Green (which indicates no problems). To fix this problem, this download package includes an updated BIOS file and setup instructions that you can use on any Microsoft Surface units that are experiencing this problem,” Microsoft noted.

Although labeled an update, the BIOS refresh is much more a hotfix, at least from the information available from the Redmond company. Microsoft notes that the resolve requires additional testing and advices only customers that have experienced the problems described in this article to apply the BIOS Update for Microsoft Surface.

“This fix is intended only to correct the problem if it already exists. You should apply this fix only to Microsoft Surface units that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix might receive additional testing,” the company said.

Along with the P5LD2-VM-CR-MS-SI-0206.ROM which contains the BIOS Update for Surface, Microsoft is also offering guidance necessary for customers to deploy the refresh. “At a high level, you can update the BIOS by installing an ASUS update utility on the Microsoft Surface unit, selecting the new BIOS in the update utility, restarting the Microsoft Surface unit, and then entering the BIOS setup to load the BIOS defaults,” Microsoft explained.

BIOS Update for Microsoft Surface is available for download here. Microsoft Surface SDK 1.0 SP1 Workstation Edition is available for download here.