Release Notes

DB-21-01-26 Driver Database Update Bookmark

January 26, 2021
 

Driver DB Amendments:

Device driver additions and modifications since the January 14, 2021 Release.

 


 

Drivers Affected:

See Attached: UIU DB-21-01-26 Drivers.pdf
 

Make and Models Affected:

See Attached: Make-Model DB-21-01-26.pdf
 

Issue: Nvidia Software Vulnerability - ACTION REQUIRED

Symptoms:
Nvidia software security update – ALL GPU product lines

Nvidia reported a security issue with their entire catalog of graphics drivers in mid-December 2020, citing, “NVIDIA has released a software security update for NVIDIA® GPU Display Driver. This update addresses issues that may lead to denial of service, escalation of privileges, data tampering, or information disclosure.” (Security Bulletin: NVIDIA GPU Display Driver - January 2021)

Resolution:
As a consequence, and in an effort to not include drivers known to contain security flaws within the UIU Driver Database, UIU Support has undertaken the extensive effort to not only remove reportedly affected drivers but also to include the new, secured drivers as offered by Nvidia as of January 2021.

The UIU Driver Database (release DB-21-01-26) contains only the newly-released drivers from Nvidia and, despite our best efforts, may result in a gap in coverage for select associated hardware IDs. As it is not feasible for Big Bang’s lab to host every conceivable Nvidia product, we’ve attempted to provide coverage for all modern Nvidia product hardware IDs.

If it is determined that we’re missing coverage, and Nvidia has provided a secured, newly-released driver, UIU Support will consider it their highest priority to include that driver in the next release of the UIU Driver Database. Your continued patience is appreciated.

Furthermore, UIU Support is committed to regularly revisiting Nvidia’s Security Bulletin in an attempt to discover any newly-released drivers post DB-21-01-26 release.

NOTE: Compromised Nvidia drivers will continue to exist in established UIU Repositories until UDBs prior to and including DB-21-01-26 are removed and updates are performed with the "cleanup" feature. Please contact UIU Support with questions or concerns.

NOTE: Customers may notice a reduction in the size of the UIU Repository depending on configuration and this is expected. Please contact UIU Support with questions or concerns.

 

 

Issue: Windows 7 Support Deprecated

 

 

Details:
Microsoft ended support for the Windows 7 operating system on January 14, 2020. UIU Support has recorded a marked reduction in support requests regarding the deprecated OS and has also reported a distinct lack of Windows 7 drivers offered for newly introduced hardware. As we continue to work on our driver streamlining process, we have noted that Nvidia has elected to not produce secured drivers for Windows 7-based hardware IDs. We have therefore determined that it is an appropriate time to remove Windows 7 from our full driver database release.

Two static Windows 7 only driver databases (based on DB-21-01-26) will be made available on demand; one that contains no Nvidia drivers (all previous drivers are presumed to be compromised), and one (based on DB-20-12-29) that contains the Nvidia drivers as represented prior to Nvidia's Security Bulletin: NVIDIA GPU Display Driver - January 2021. Please contact UIU Support for more information.

As of this release, no additional Windows 7 drivers will be added to the UIU Driver Database.

 

 

REMINDER: Firmware Update Recommendations

 

 

Details:
UIU Support has recently witnessed several situations wherein updating of firmware addresses specific driver issues. See Release Notes from June 16, 2020 for two examples. UIU Support strongly recommends that, if customers are experiencing issues, the firmware (BIOS/UEFI) be updated immediately. If the target machine continues exhibiting issues, please contact UIU support for additional troubleshooting.
 

REMINDER: UIU Database Refresh

Details:
In our continued efforts to provide the most applicable and viable drivers while minimizing UIU Database size, UIU Support has undertaken a periodic review of the drivers represented in our database as of DB-20-07-02. In most cases, drivers that have been removed were not unique and would not have been selected during the minisetup process. This update also addresses the handling of several Microsoft Surface device drivers. If you experience issues, please contact UIU Support.
 

Microsoft Surface Products & Windows 10 Versions Support



It has become evident that (via availability of Microsoft driver packs) as Microsoft produces newer models of their Surface line of products, they are excluding the use of older Windows operating systems versions either due to lack of device driver production or lack of feature support with respect to newer or more advanced hardware. UIU Support has compiled a guide based on driver review and lab testing. This guide is not intended to be definitive as Microsoft has not acknowledged this exclusion of support. Some Microsoft-provided drivers may work on unlisted Windows 10 OS versions; however, if Microsoft does not offer a driver pack for the specific version of 10 there may be a lack of driver support as we’ve experienced. In those cases, the OS will apply but it will lack driver support for certain devices.

It is UIU Support's recommendation to use the latest version of Windows 10 whenever possible when deploying to the Microsoft Surface family of products. Failing to do so may result in a lack of driver coverage for various devices.

Microsoft Surface Products & Windows 10 Versions Support:

Microsoft Surface Pro
Microsoft Surface Pro 1
- Can’t confirm supported OS versions from Microsoft, but supports (likely) Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and likely newer versions.
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
- Can’t confirm supported OS versions from Microsoft, but supports (likely) Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and likely newer versions.


Microsoft Surface Pro 3
- Windows 8, 8.1, & Windows 10 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
- Windows 10 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Pro 5
- Windows 10 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
- Windows 10 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Windows 10 1809, 1903


Microsoft Surface Laptop
Microsoft Surface Laptop 1
- Windows 10 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
- Windows 10 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
- Windows 10 1809, 1903


Microsoft Surface Book
Microsoft Surface Book 1
- Windows 10 1703, 1709, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Book 2
- Windows 10 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903



Microsoft Surface Studio
Microsoft Surface Studio 1
- Windows 10 1511, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
- Windows 10 1803, 1809, 1903


Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft Surface Go
- Windows 10 1709, 1803, 1809


Windows 10 version number translation:
Windows 10 release information

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If customers would like to know which Windows OS versions are supported by Microsoft, they would simply need to visit Microsoft Support and review the file names of the driver packs offered for a particular model of Surface product.

For example:

If you find the .MSI files from Microsoft, they indicate the specific supported version(s) of Windows 10 in the file names. The inference being that anything prior to those offerings aren't supported and may not deploy or function properly.


EXAMPLE
SurfaceLaptop3_Win10_17763_20.020.4371.0
SurfaceLaptop3_Win10_18362_20.010.3582.0
(the versions representing 1809 and 1903, respectively)

In UIU Support's experience, if an OS older than those specified is deployed, the installer will present a warning.

 

 

 

REMINDER:

 

 

The full driver database exceeds 17Gb in size (17.7 Gb IMP). Please follow the guidelines below for optimal performance. This database release still covers Windows 7 through Windows 10 (64-bit only).

 

 

Note: As of January 16, 2020, the full UIU driver database available for download from the web site will contain only drivers for supported 64-bit Windows operating systems, (Win7, Win8.1, & Win10). Requests for 32-bit support should be directed to UIU Support. Online Updates supports both 64-bit as well as 32-bit support.

 

 

Firmware Updates

UIU Support strongly recommends making sure that firmware (BIOS/UEFI) on target hardware has been updated to the most recent release from PC manufacturers. As of 1st quarter 2020, UIU Support has noticed that this can be critical in the successful deployment of newer hardware in particular.

Additonal Information: Intel Processors Voltage Settings Modification Advisory

 

 

 

USB Flash drives need to be formatted with the NTFS file system before the driver database will successfully transfer. Network share access is recommended.

 

 

 

 

Support Reminder:

 

The Big Bang Support Team would like to remind our customers to please clear out any drivers represented in the Custom folder(s) prior to testing with a new version of the UIU Driver Database as neglecting to do so may result in false negative installations.  Please contact a UIU Support representative with questions or concerns.

 

 

 



Comments are closed.