Article: SP4 & SB Firmware Updates Released 1/22/16?!

[DavidZ]

Surface Pro and Surface Book Firmware Rolling Out with New Intel Graphics Driver

Today, Microsoft is rolling out what is supposed to be a massive fix in a firmware update for its Surface Pro and Surface Book line. Both the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book have been under serious customer scrutiny since launch. Both have received numerous updates and firmware upgrades to try and fix problems that aren’t just annoyance, but productivity limiting. Try using a Surface Book for a day and you’ll come across a bevy of problems in just that short time.

So, today’s firmware update should provide some ease – but it’s always best to keep your fingers crossed. In addition to the Surface woes, Microsoft is notorious for delivering updates that are just a slight bit off kilter. I’ve already heard from some that the firmware update can’t download, and others can’t get it installed. Personally, I’ve had no issue. So, your mileage will vary, apparently.

In addition to today’s firmware update, many will be overjoyed to see that an Intel graphics driver has shown up. This particular driver has been in beta since before the 2015 holiday season, and it seems it is now ready for primetime (again, finger-crossing is encouraged). Even on the earlier Surface Pro 3 model, the Intel graphics driver has been a heinous beast, causing bluescreens, driver crashes, and overdriven cooling fans.




For those that had high hopes that the Intel driver is being made available for more than just Microsoft’s Surface line, you can forget about it. I’ve attempted to locate it through Windows Update from an HP Spectre and Lenovo Yoga 900 and they’ve both come up empty.

Additionally, Aaron Hall says...

And, then, states...

Both are available from Windows Update today. If you have issues with either the firmware update or the new Intel graphics driver, let us know so we can warn others.

P.S. The update history pages for the Surface hardware has not been updated yet, so we can’t be sure exactly what is included in today’s firmware update. Let’s hope it’s all good.

 

[macmee]

nothing yet on my surface

 

[DavidZ]

It seems no updates were released on 1/22/2016...

That's right. That's why I put the "?!" at the end of the title of this thread. Sorry if you missed it and were confused.

I posted a comment at the end of the article I cited asking the author why they haven't retracted the article since there has been no firmware update for the SP4 in the last couple days. My comment is awaiting moderation.

 

[Yillbs]

I had a firmware update on the 22nd. Sp4 I5

 

[Yillbs]

I take that back, i checked the logs, it was not on the 22nd, in fact, that was my Sp3, and i only id that because I read an article. Looks like this guy is going off the same articles about the SP3 which had an update on 1/19/2016. I've noticed a lot of blog / tech sites don't really -blog- or write anything new. They all follow the same 1 - 2 sites and then just change up the words, and get free stuff from MS to " review " . I'd say 80% of the time information they give is WRONG, outdated, or plain copied. Whenever in doubt always just check the MS website.

 

[ppsa]

I'll check as well

 

[Zkyevolved]

There was NO SP4 update as of yet. It was the SP3 that was updated.... Not the Sp4... Just wait a few more days, hopefully.

 

[Afy]

No updates here either.

 

[gtmead09]

Interesting that no updates have been released yet today.......

 

[stevae]

Interesting that no updates have been released yet today.......

i don't find it so much interesting, as i find it absolutely absurd!!!! what the hell is wrong with m$? thinking about returning my surface and just calling it quits. if they care so little as to completely ignore those who have bought their flagship device, when it obviously has a serious problem, then that is a sign of things to come, and i don't think i want to be part of it.

 

[DavidZ]

i don't find it so much interesting, as i find it absolutely absurd!!!! what the hell is wrong with m$? thinking about returning my surface and just calling it quits. if they care so little as to completely ignore those who have bought their flagship device, when it obviously has a serious problem, then that is a sign of things to come, and i don't think i want to be part of it.

As much as I'd like the problems fixed quickly, I'd rather they get it RIGHT, than right away. In the meantime, I'm hibernating instead of sleeping until they come up with a fix. That seem to me to be a better way to go than trying every hack that appears on a discussion board. It's better on my mental state and stress level.

 

[stevae]

As much as I'd like the problems fixed quickly, I'd rather they get it RIGHT, than right away. In the meantime, I'm hibernating instead of sleeping until they come up with a fix. That seem to me to be a better way to go than trying every hack that appears on a discussion board. It's better on my mental state and stress level.

while i agree with what you are saying, i hardly think a couple of months is "right away". i definitely want them to get it right as well, but they have had months, and not so much as put out press responses or updates on what they are doing. then there is the whole, they shouldn't have released the devices until they had it right. this is NOT a surprise for them. they knew about this well before they released them. but they cared more about getting them out before christmas, to push sales, than they cared about their customers and giving them a great product.