KB-SP8-01: Repairing Surface Pro 8 "OEMCT" Identity Error

The Issue

Your Surface BIOS is corrupted. It identifies as OEMCT instead of Surface Pro 8, causing the official MSI installer to block itself.

Phase 1: Hardware Force-Reset

Logic: Forces the motherboard to re-read the hardware ID from the embedded controller.

1. Hard Shutdown: Hold the Power Button for 30 seconds.

2. Verify: Hold Volume Up + Power to enter UEFI. If the "Model" still says OEMCT, proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Manual Driver Injection (PowerShell)

Logic: Since the MSI UI blocks you, we extract the raw drivers and force Windows to use them.

1. Download the MSI

• Official Link: Download Surface Pro 8 Drivers and Firmware (MSI)

2. Extract via PowerShell (Admin)

Run this command to unpack the drivers without running the hardware identity check:

msiexec /a "C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\SurfacePro8_Win11_xxxx.msi" /qb TARGETDIR="C:\SurfaceDrivers"

3. Force-Update via Device Manager

1. Right-click Start > Device Manager.

2. Expand Firmware.

3. Right-click Surface UEFI > Update Driver > Browse my computer > Let me pick > Have Disk.

4. Point it to C:\SurfaceDrivers to find the driver file. Restart.

Phase 3: Bare Metal Recovery (BMR)

Logic: This is the "Nuclear Option." It uses a specialized image to re-flash the system partitions and firmware variables.

1. Link: Official Surface Recovery Image Download

2. Instruction: Enter your original serial number (found on the back of the device, under the kickstand). Do not use "123123123."

3. Process: Use a 16GB+ USB drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to create the recovery drive and boot from it (Hold Volume Down + Power).

Phase 4: Official Support & Documentation

Logic: If the steps above fail, the BIOS/TPM chip is physically or permanently corrupted (the "Bad News" scenario).

• Documentation on the Error: Microsoft Community - Surface Identifying as OEMCT

• Warranty/Service: Microsoft Surface Service Portal

• What to tell Support: "The device identifies as OEMCT Product with Serial 123123123. Manual driver injection and Bare Metal Recovery failed to restore the SMBIOS identity.