Surface Pro 3 will not boot to USB and UEFI seems locked

Question

I have a Surface Pro 3 which was showing that startup failed and to use recovery media. I built the USB and it still won't boot. I tried to check UEFI to make sure I van boot from USB. All I can do in UEFI is look at current settings. I cannot change ANY of the settings. Before I pronounce the unit dead, is there anyone with something to try?

Answer 1

Then the UEFI IS password protected. That is the issue. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023531/surface-how-to-use-surface-uefi   "UEFI passwords are used primarily by enterprises and IT professionals to limit the types of changes that employees can make to their devices. If you are part of an enterprise, contact your IT administrator if you have any questions or issues with your UEFI password. If you are not part of an enterprise and you choose to create a UEFI password, make sure to document your password in a safe place. You cannot reset your UEFI password, and Microsoft cannot retrieve it."

I'm sorry, but there isn't anything I can do to help. Please don't shoot the messenger.

I am not aware of a UEFI password. When I use the volume-up and power switch, i am presented with the option to enter a password. not having one, i simply click enter. I get UEFI screen only 3 lines are active, Advanced Device Security, can get in but only see and not alter anything.

Device Information, and Exit Setup.

Answer 2

I am not aware of a UEFI password. When I use the volume-up and power switch, i am presented with the option to enter a password. not having one, i simply click enter. I get UEFI screen only 3 lines are active, Advanced Device Security, can get in but only see and not alter anything.

Device Information, and Exit Setup.

Created a recovery disk renamed SURFBOOT and insert. Volume-Dn & power. release volume key, wait nothing until eventually dots start circling and that will go on all night. Step 5 of your list never occurs.

I have loaded of upgraded hundreds of computers, this is my first and last Surface if i cant get it going.

Tried to boot to external DVD, only successful having it recognize Acronis disk. Can see from there onboard drive is full, but will not allow Acronis to remove anything.

Any other ideas?

Answer 3

Thank you for having this all make sense. I appreciate it. Original owner not aware of password. It never was an enterprise computer. I have copy if invoice.

Original owner is searching. But I am now sure I've done all I could.

Thank you

Answer 4

Is there a password to get into the UEFI or not? If not, do both touch and the typecover fail to navigate/access menus/change options?

Here are the instructions to use the recovery drive, is this the process you followed that fails?

Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage  

(with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly) 

and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB or 32GB USB stick (also called a flash drive) formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer).  You can't use an actual external USB hard drive for this and don't use anything larger than a 32 GB USB stick. Best to purchase and use a new, previously unused USB stick for this. Use FULL format and not quick format and give the volume a name like surfboot. Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the root of the formatted USB stick.

To reset your Surface from a USB recovery drive:

Step 1:        Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in (hold down the power button for 30 seconds).

Step 2:         Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port on your Surface.

Step 3:        Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button on your Surface.

Step 4:         When the Surface logo appears, release the volume button.

Step 5:        When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.

Step 6:         Select Troubleshoot > Reset your PC.

*If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of the screen*.

Step 7:         Select the target operating system you wish to reset. This refers to the current operating system installed on your Surface.

Step 8:        Select Yes, repartition the drives, and on the next page, select Next.

Step 9:         Choose Just remove my files.

Step 10:        Select Reset.

Surface restarts and the Surface logo displays while the reset process continues (this can take a while).