News for hardware developers
How to convert a PC from BIOS mode to UEFI mode
Upgrading your Windows 7 PC to Windows 8 and considering the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) mode? If your PC supports it, this is a great time to change to UEFI. Why? UEFI mode can help your PC start faster, lets you use hard drives larger than 2 terabytes (TB), and can help you set up features like Secure Boot. Many Windows 7 PCs support UEFI but were set to boot to BIOS mode.
To switch to UEFI mode, you'll need to do a few things: find the setting in the boot menus that enables UEFI booting, convert the entire drive to the GUID Partition Table (GPT) format, and install Windows again.
Step 1: Find the setting in the boot menus that enables UEFI booting
- This differs from PC to PC. But typically, you press a key to enter the boot menus, look for an option like "UEFI Boot Mode", and enable it.
Step 2: Boot the Windows Setup disk in UEFI mode
- Load the Windows 7 or Windows 8 DVD. (If you're setting up a dual-boot PC, install Windows 7 first.)
- Start the PC to boot the DVD in UEFI mode. Again, this is going to depend on your hardware, but often you can press a key during the boot sequence, and select an option like "EFI DVD/CD".
Step 3: Convert the drive to the GPT format
- When the Windows Setup program gets to the first set of installation screens, press Shift+F10 to open the command prompt.
- Figure out which disk is your primary hard drive, and select it. Typically it's Drive 0, but it doesn't hurt to check:
diskpart
list disk review the list of drives, and make sure you've got the right one.)
select disk 0 - Erase the hard drive, and convert it to the GPT format:
clean
convert gpt
exit - At this point, you can switch back to the installation program, and continue the Windows installation. Windows automatically sets up the partitions for the UEFI/GPT format.
See also: Dual-booting your PC (Windows Hardware Newsletter, November 7, 2012)
Recently published for hardware developers
Windows driver doc updates
These docs have been updated recently on the Windows Hardware Development website:
Receive segment coalescing
Receive segment coalescing (RSC) enables network card miniport drivers to coalesce multiple TCP segments and indicate them as a single coalesced unit (SCU) to the operating system's networking subsystem.
Customizing default audio volume settings
Prior to Windows 8, the Audio Class driver used hard-coded default values for the audio volume and microphone boost levels. Windows 8 modified the class driver to make it possible for OEMs to set their own default levels. This involves writing a wrapper INF file to provide the desired default values. A new Windows Driver Kit (WDK) audio topic about customizing default audio volume settings provides more info about how to customize the default volume levels.
V4 printer driver model
The v4 printer driver model introduced in Windows 8 is designed to address known issues with the printer driver model that was used in Windows 7 and earlier Windows operating systems. The new model simplifies driver development, reduces IT management costs, and supports new scenarios.
Customer feedback
We also addressed customer feedback in a variety of areas, especially:
Updated white papers
"Windows Store Device App Lifecycle"
The white paper "Windows Store Device App Lifecycle" discusses the deployment, acquisition, update, and uninstall process for Windows Store device apps for Windows 8. This document provides: guidance on how to link and submit device drivers, device metadata, and Windows Store device apps; estimates for the time it takes for the device app to become available to users; what users experience when they connect their devices; and info about how to uninstall or update apps.
"Device Metadata Package Schema Reference for Windows 8"
The white paper "Device Metadata Package Schema Reference for Windows 8" provides info for independent hardware vendors (IHVs), OEMs , and network carriers about files in device metadata packages. It's a reference guide for creating device metadata packages for Windows 8 and Windows 7, including the structure of the packages and the XML schema definitions used in them.
"Display Guidelines for KVM Switches in Windows 7"
The white paper "Display Guidelines for KVM Switches in Windows 7" provides guidelines for IHVs of keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) devices. By following these guidelines, IHVs can provide an optimal user experience in Windows 7 with display devices connected to KVM switches. This paper also lists specific requirements and recommendations on expected switch behaviors.
View all recently published hardware documentation, kits, and tools
You can always find the latest hardware documentation, kits, and tools published in the Hardware area of the Windows Dev Center from these pages:
Windows certification news
UEFI POST TIME requirement relaxed for some all-in-one systems
Based on industry feedback, we're relaxing the UEFI POST TIME requirement to enable large storage capacity in all-in-one systems.
Conditions:
- PCs must be an all-in-one system with integrated displays.
- Systems that have 3 TB or greater capacity must POST in 10 seconds or less.
- Systems shipping after Jan 1, 2014, must meet the requirements published on MSDN.
This delayed enforcement erratum begins April 15, 2013, when the UEFI requirement Erratum 478 relaxation expires, and ends in October 2014.
To take advantage of this new delayed enforcement, Include ID 1250 in your README file starting April 15, 2013
UEFI submission review processes changed
UEFI submissions will no longer go through an automated signing process. Instead, we'll review them manually twice a week. You can expect your submission to be processed in about 5 business days. To avoid delays, please follow the guidelines posted on the UEFI submission page on the Hardware Dashboard. Remember when submitting to the UEFI signing portal to:
- Provide descriptive info when submitting content.
- Submit only product-quality code.
- Ensure that your code doesn't execute untrusted code.
Some HCK 2.0 errata extended, some set to expire
We've updated all active errata filters for Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) 2.0. All active errata that weren't fixed have been extended until March 1, 2013. We'll reevaluate active errata by March 1 and either extend or retire it, depending on whether we made fixes to the test kit. We won't extend the errata already set to expire on January 1, 2013.
You can check the status of all errata on the Hardware Dashboard. To narrow down the list, use the filters to view only active, expired, or expiring within 30 days. You can also search by ID and title.
Any extension date shouldn't be considered an indication of any retirement date.
WLK 1.6 active errata extended into 2015
We have updated all active errata filters for the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.6 test kit. All errata that were fixed in the kit were expired. All active errata that weren't fixed have been extended until December 1, 2015. (This extension date shouldn't be considered an indication of the kit's retirement date.)
You can check the status of all errata on the Hardware Dashboard. To narrow down the list, use the filters to view only active, expired, or expiring within 30 days. You can also search by ID and title.
Industry news
World's oldest working computer gets fired up
Visitors can now check out the fully restored nearly 3-ton WITCH as it lights up The National Museum of Computing with its flashing bulbs and chattering printers. - CNET, November 20, 2012
Read more: World's oldest working computer gets fired up
Intel chips match ARM for energy efficiency, study says
Intel has finally made its mobile microchips as energy efficient as those from companies making ARM-based chips, which dominate the market, according to a study by Bernstein Research.- San Jose Mercury News, December 17, 2012
Read more: Intel chips match ARM for energy efficiency, study says
Microsoft offers businesses guidance on choosing Windows 8 tablets
Microsoft is sharing some broad guidance on what criteria business users should consider in evaluating which Windows 8 or Windows RT tablets they should buy. - ZDNet, December 14, 2012
Read more: Microsoft offers businesses guidance on choosing Windows 8 tablets
