Question about Microsoft Support Structure
My Surface Pro 9 needs what I think is an easy firmware repair. Is it possible to avoid shipping it to Microsoft? The part of the firmware that contains the SKU Model Number is corrupt. It shows as "OEMLO Product" instead of Surface Pro 9. That part of the firmware is protected. It can only be accessed by a Microsoft employee using internal tools and physical access to the Surface Pro. Microsoft Device Support offers only a mail-in program, which would mean a lot of work for everyone that's probably not necessary. I don't know much about Microsoft support structure. So I don't know if it's flexible enough for a kind-hearted employee with access to the right tools to fix this. I live near several large Microsoft facilities in the Washington DC area. I think it's a quick easy repair. It could save me and Microsoft Device Support a lot of work that's probably unnecessary. The corruption may have occurred either as a result of participation in the Windows Insider program or during a Surface Pro 9 firmware update in late August 2025. The absence of a valid SKU Model Number prevents Microsoft's driver package from repairing drivers. It also prevents both business and consumer versions of the Surface Diagnostic tool from running. Meanwhile the SMF Core Driver is not loading. I could probably fix that with the correct driver package, but the driver package won't run without the correct SKU number. Otherwise, the Surface works fine. So I can afford to wait until December 2025 to send in for a complete overhaul. That's when I'll be able to lose access to it for an extended time. The rest of the firmware seems to be okay. Other than the SKU model number the information, including the serial number, appears correct.
