Microsoft pulls Windows 8.1 update for Surface RT following BSOD reports

[Shawn Knight]

Update (10/21): Microsoft has released a statement confirming issues with the Windows RT 8.1 update that was pulled from the Windows Store during the weekend as it was found to brick devices. The issue affected a small portion of Surface RT device owners, less than 1 out of 1000, according to Microsoft. The company has released a Surface RT Recovery Image which affected users can download (a hefty 3.7 GB file) and install via USB to get their tablets back up and running again. The RT 8.1 update remains unavailable until further notice.

The original story follows below:

Microsoft recently pulled its Windows RT 8.1 update from the Windows Store after a number of Surface owners reported seeing the infamous Blue Screen of Death after installing the update. An accompanying error message notified users that their PC needed to be repaired and the Boot Configuration Data file was missing some required information.

When asked by a forum user why the update had vanished, a Microsoft support representative said the company was investigating a situation affecting a limited number of users updating their Windows RT devices to Windows 8.1. As a result, the update has been temporarily removed from the Windows Store.

Without the necessary configuration data, affected Windows RT devices are effectively rendered useless. Some online users have posted recovery methods but as Computer World points out, they are long and involved and unlikely to be utilized by most people.

Microsoft is currently the only vendor that offers Windows RT devices. Just over three weeks ago, Dell joined several other manufacturers including Asus, Lenovo and Samsung by dropping their Windows RT tablet, the XPS 10, from their lineup. Undeterred by the lack of support, Microsoft announced the second generation Surface tablets in late September with the Surface 2 (they dropped the RT moniker) running Windows 8.1 RT. The Surface 2 along with the Surface Pro 2 are slated to launch this Tuesday, October 22.

Engineers are said to be working on the issue but a timeline for when a patched version of the update will resurface hasn’t been set.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/54397-microsoft-pulls-windows-81-update-for-surface-rt-following-bsod-reports-updated.html

 

[St1ckM4n]

My 8 pro x64 install failed. No idea on which part, because the PC was just hung. Gonna try again now.

 

[Guest]

...and everyone switched to Ubuntu. The End.

 

[Railman]

MS cannot use their normal get out of jail free card as RT is a closed system!

 

[Guest]

... but after realizing Ubuntu graphics drivers suck, they quickly switched back to the good old Windows 7.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I wonder when MS will realize they're flogging a dead horse with RT...

 

[nazartp]

My 8 pro x64 install failed. No idea on which part, because the PC was just hung. Gonna try again now.

Mine went without hitch. Took about 25-30 minutes altogether without my participation.

 

[BMfan]

My 8 pro x64 install failed. No idea on which part, because the PC was just hung. Gonna try again now.

Left mine over night(for about 6hrs while I slept),when I woke up it was still busy installing,I just restarted then it installed properly.
Then when updating the sata ahci drivers in the afternoon,it wouldn't boot back into windows,8 said I must restore or use the disc to do a repair,so I said screw this crap and went back to 7,never had problems with 7 when updating sata drivers and MS still think that people don't use auto dial vpn anymore.

 

[Seventh Reign]

... but after realizing Ubuntu graphics drivers suck, they quickly switched back to the good old Windows 7.

Until they noticed that the current Windows 7 drivers are far more buggy than even the Ubuntu ones, and decided to do what they should have done in the first place. Switch to Arch. And everyone lived happily ever after. Without having to format and re-install every 6 months.

 

[Archean]

It appears that MS has released a fix fort his situation:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/21/...tter&utm_campaign=Feed:+WinRumors+(WinRumors)

 

[Teko03]

I wonder when MS will realize they're flogging a dead horse with RT...

I would have to disagree. For the moment, the RT OS does serve a purpose for casual users who want to do just a little extra "work"....just as the iPad does. IMO, the Bay Trail tablets really aren't useful for producivity given the fact that they are still underpowered, less battery life than ARM, some lack a kick stand & an attractive keyboard accessory. Where's the benefit of Windows 8.1 Pro on a device that is 8-inches, meant for vertical orientation and has no keyboard?

 

[lawfer]

...and everyone switched to Ubuntu. The End.

Haha, thanks for the laugh buddy. Really brightened my morning.

 

[coppersloane]

Been using 8.1 on my Surface RT for 3 days straight, no problems. Guess I got lucky.

 

[Guest]

If you have yet to go tin foil hat mode, Windows 8(.1) on a tablet is great. Same as Windows 7 on a desktop is great. At least until the Open Source revolution goes full swing.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Been using 8.1 on my Surface RT for 3 days straight, no problems. Guess I got lucky.

You fell into the RT trap! xD

 

[misor]

MS has just shown Apple who is the real BSOD king. take that copy-cat Apple!

 

[St1ckM4n]

Cool, my PC updated after the third attempt. It conveniently lost my wifi settings. How lousy can you get at an update to lose that?!

 

[Jad Chaar]

Cool, my PC updated after the third attempt. It conveniently lost my wifi settings. How lousy can you get at an update to lose that?!

It is funny because they probably changed nothing under the hood really xD.

 

[Chazz]

Not to be one upped by Apple.

 

[coppersloane]

The only drawback in falling into the "trap" is app selection pales in comparison to Apple/Android, the inevitable result of no one buying the damn thing. Otherwise, I've written dozens of essays, as well as two whole novels on this thing. It's a success for me because I do a lot of work on my portable devices. The only entertainment I require is Netflix, which it has, and I do my PC gaming on my desktop. I'm the perfect example of Microsoft's target audience for the Surface.

 

[Guest]

... but after realizing Ubuntu graphics drivers suck, they quickly switched back to the good old Windows 7.

Until they noticed that the current Windows 7 drivers are far more buggy than even the Ubuntu ones, and decided to do what they should have done in the first place. Switch to Arch. And everyone lived happily ever after. Without having to format and re-install every 6 months.

Unfortunately, their happiness were short-lived when they found out they can't play their favorite PC games, run Photoshop, and it is not compatible with most hardware (e.g. printers, sound cards, etc). Fortunately, they didn't throw away their Windows Product key. They switched back to good ol' windows once again and everyone lived happily ever after.