Surface Pro 4 Pen stops working on Surface Book Insider 16362

I just upgraded from Windows Insider build 16353 to 16362 and the Surface Pro 4 Pen\Stylus is not registering when I click the screen.

*Update: This happened again after upgrading from 16362 to 17004

I checked the Device Manager | Human Interface Devices and found nothing that would indicate a problem.  I checked the Bluetooth devices and the Surface Pen showed up. 

The pen worked on another Surface device, so I knew the pen was working and had battery.

I tried to reboot and that did not resolve.

I tried to remove the Bluetooth device and re-add and that did not resolve.

I tired to remove the battery and that did not resolve.

I finally got it to work.

I opened up the Device Manager and went to Human Interface Devices.  I right clicked on the following drivers and uninstalled

-> Surface Pen Integration

-> Surface Pen Settings

I rebooted and the pen began to work.  I verified that those devices showed back up in Device Manager.

*this is not the Surface Pro 3 Stylus.  This is the pen that comes with the Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book.

New Surface 3 System Updates (2/4/2016)

On the heels of Microsofts big Janurary System Updates (1/19), which saw its largest number of system updates (15), Microsoft has released another set of updates. 

Updates 2/4/206

• Surface UEFI update (v1.51116.78.0) recalibrates touch panel.
• Surface Touch Controller Firmware update (v4.251.60.0) recalibrates touch panel.
• Surface Platform Power Driver update (v2.1.36.1) improves charging.

Surface Pro 4 Firmware and Driver Update (Nov 2015)

Surface Pro 4 Firmware and Driver Update for November 2015.  Release date is November 9th. 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49498

Details:

• No details as of yet on this update

This is the second update in less than a week.  There was an earlier update November 2nd.

Details:

• HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4308) addresses some display issues, including some scenarios that result in screen flickering.
• Display audio driver update (v8.20.0.659) supports compatibility with the updated graphics driver.
• Surface Embedded Controller Firmware update (v103.855.257.0) improves system stability.
• Surface Pen Settings driver update (v10.0.302.0) adds support for future functionality on Windows 10.

You can see main Surface Pro 4 Update page here.

Update Surface 3 Firmware and Drivers (Nov 2015)

Updated Surface 3 Firmware and Drivers for November 2015.

 

No current details on what it includes.  Download here.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49040

The new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book Stylus

The new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book Stylus that was just released.  I just got mine in the mail today.

The Stylus is also backward compatible with the Surface Pro 3 and the Surface 3, which is great news since this is what I am currently using.

New with this Stylus is a package of different tips.  The tips provide different friction on the glass.

TIPS
2H – Very Low Friction
H – Low Friction
HB – Medium Friction
B – High Friction

The default tip in the stylus is the HB version.

The new Surface Stylus is about 1/2” longer than the previous pen and in my opinion it seems to be more weight distributed.  Comparison of the SP3 and SP4 Stylus.

No buttons on the new Stylus.  There is a button bar on the flat side of the Stylus that now controls the right click feature.  I kind of like the flat surface of the Stylus for my finger.  It feels more ergonomic.

Be careful trying to remove the cap.  IT IS NOT A SCREW CAP like the previous version.  It is a guided notch.  It turns a quarter turn and pulls off.  I bet there will be a handful of calls to Microsoft support from people breaking them before they are ever used.  Ouch…

I actually read the user guide with this pen, after almost breaking mine.

Temporary Post Used For Theme Detection (8a7ea2cd-fb00-4a32-a2a1-700a87ad1209 – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7)

This is a temporary post that was not deleted. Please delete this manually. (f01519af-f13e-46af-b844-281274bf7697 – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7)

Dream Slate or Tablet (throw back)

This is a couple days after Microsoft big Windows 10 Device event.  With the announcement of the new Surface Pro 4 and the Surface book it got me to thinking about what I am using and what I want in a device.  I happened to look back to some notes that I had made back in April 2012 of the features that I was looking for for my dream slate\tablet device.  This was before the release of the first generation of the Surface Pro line (June 2012).  This was also after owning and using an assortment of underwhelming slates\tablets.  Well this was my list in OneNote.

Screen Size of around 10” (aspect ratio 3:2 not 16:9)

5 hours of battery

128GB SSD

i5 Core processer (x64)

(2) USB slots

Full SD Card or MicroSD

Detachable Keyboard

HDMI (Mini)

Pen Silo

Wacom Digitizer

MicroUSB Charging

 

Well it is 2015, what am I using now.  My main work machine is the Surface Pro 3 (i7/8GB/256GB) device running Windows 10.  I am running it through Surface Dock and running two Dell U2414H in a DaisyChain.  I absolutely love it.

Now, my home machine and my consumption device is a Surface 3 model.  I went with the 4GB/64GB model (LC5-00001) that comes with Windows 8.1 Professional.  This is really a great size memory and hard drive space as the majority of stuff that I have is up in OneDrive or DropBox.

The Surface 3 device almost checks off everyone of my previous wants.  I really love the size of this device.

This is going to be my dream tablet list for 2015.

Screen Size again at the 10” (same 3:2 aspect ratio)

Stylus that keeps advancing like the SP4 pen

128GB+ SSD

i5 core + (fanless)

(1) USB 3.1 or C

MicroUSB Charging

Detachable Keyboard base like the new Surface Book that contains additional juice (GPU/memory/HDD)

I’m over the Pen Silo want.

MicroSD Card

Mini-DisplayPort

10+ hours of battery life

 

There you go.  What is your favorite tablet?  What do you want in your dream tablet?

Windows 10 Technical Preview on Surface Pro 1 (my initial thoughts)

I took the plunge and put Windows 10 Technical Preview on my Surface Pro 1 that I recently put on the shelf after moving to the Pro 3.

The Technical Preview was a breeze to install.

You can download it from (here), as of October 1st.  You will need to sign up for the Windows Insider Program to download it.  The files are large so you need a nice fast connection to get it while you are young.

x64 : 4.0 GB
x86 : 3.1 GB

The download and install was a breeze.  I just took the ISO over to the SP1 and mounted it and ran the SETUP.EXE while in the system.  I choose the save nothing and let it run it course.

My initial thoughts
I just really sat down to play with it, but it seems more of a dot release than a full version release. I am sure the innards are where the big changes are but from a visual look and feel, it is pretty similar to 8. I don’t think that there will be any learning curve coming from version 8.1.1.

I had really gotten used to not having the Start button, so it looks strange.
I liked the new desktop icons
The task view (on the task bar) is a touch friendly dream, very nice.
The search (on the task bar) is just ok, not a big search user. (why can’t I unpin it?).
No crashes, yet. Seems very stable.
No missing devices in Device Manager.
Windows Update did grab a Surface Hardware update (8/12/2014)
Also, there was a Technical Preview update as well. (KB3001512)
Installed the Wacom 720_10 without problem.  Initial testing, inking is great in OneNote.
I was also surprised the System Center installed the Configuration Manager Client (corporate software management app).

Found that most of the software that I use installs. There are a few things that don’t, but that is expected.

• Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) (update – MS has released compatible version, AWESOME!)
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=44280
• DisplayLink for USB 3.0 Docking Station. I heard there was a work around. Will try that later. (update – just released compatible version)
  http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=376

Overall. I like where they are going with it. Not a lot of surface (pun intended) changes, but good. I think Desktop users will be pleased, I guess. Are there any Desktop users left?

Temporary Post Used For Theme Detection (e7244642-3931-48d4-b053-aa4b97684a42 – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7)

This is a temporary post that was not deleted. Please delete this manually. (2174c221-3df5-4e78-9c4d-194f19d5f43d – 3bfe001a-32de-4114-a6b4-4005b770f6d7)

Microsoft Surface Pro – March 2014 Updates

Guess what kids?  It Patch Tuesday!

Below is a list of the updates for the Microsoft Surface Pro System Hardware updates that will show up in your updates.

 

Windows 8.0 updates:

The following updates will be listed as “System Hardware Update – 3/11/2014” when you view your update history.

• Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
• Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
• Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v1.0.323.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.

Windows 8.1 updates:

The following updates will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 3/11/2014” when you view your update history.

• Marvell AVASTAR 350N Wireless Network Controller (v14.69.24052.168) resolves wireless network connectivity issues.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless Composite Device (v14.69.24052.168) improves Miracast support.
• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth^® Radio Adapter (v14.69.24052.168) updated as part of a driver package that includes the Marvell Wireless Network Controller and Marvell Wireless Composite Device. There are no Bluetooth updates in this version of the driver.
• Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
• Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
• Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v1.0.323.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.

You can see a list of all the updates and previous updates here.