Installing PRS-505 Software on Vista64 - Page 2

JSWolf · 10-10-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

vista's requirement for signed drivers means I for one wont be porting libprs500's USB driver to it. I find microsoft's attitude in this to be absolutely abhorrent.

What are the requirements for a signed driver?

kovidgoyal · 10-10-2007, 12:07 PM

You have to pay to get a certificate and send the driver to microsoft for review. Way too many hoops to jump through.

JSWolf · 10-10-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

You have to pay to get a certificate and send the driver to microsoft for review. Way too many hoops to jump through.

That leaves out a lot of drivers for 64-bit Windows. I'll just stick with XP Pro 32-bit and be happy that it works well.

HarryT · 10-10-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Thank you; I wasn't aware of that.
You were partially correct. It has to be 64-bit and signed to be a valid driver.

I didn't say that last sentence. If someone edits a post, please make it clear "who said what"

JSWolf · 10-10-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I didn't say that last sentence. If someone edits a post, please make it clear "who said what"

So you didn't say ...

Quote:

All Sony need to do is digitally sign the driver. That's the only reason it fails to install on Win64.

igorsk · 10-10-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

You have to pay to get a certificate and send the driver to microsoft for review. Way too many hoops to jump through.

Actually, you need WHQL cert only to skip the warning box when installing the driver. For other uses Authenticode is enough: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlog...ign_perOS.mspx
And yes, certificates cost some money. If anyone could generate his own that would defeat the purpose.

MikeF74 · 10-10-2007, 04:15 PM

igorsk, I think most of that only applies to Vista32, Vista64 is a lot more strict.

I think for 64-bit, it depends how deep the drivers need to go kernel-wise.

igorsk · 10-10-2007, 04:40 PM

Check the page. Authenticode = signature with a valid (but not Microsoft's) certificate, and that's enough to get your driver installed on x64 (though with a warning).

MikeF74 · 10-10-2007, 04:49 PM

Referenced Subscript #7 says

Quote:

For details, see "Notes on Specific Windows Versions" later on this page.

Then, further down the page for Visa64 it says:

Quote:

There are several additional requirements for the x64 version of Windows Vista.

Self-signed and other types of untrusted certificates can be used on test computers instead of release-signed drivers. Released products must have a trusted signature or the driver does not load. For further information about how to test sign drivers for the x64 version of Windows Vista, see Digital Signatures for Kernel Modules on Systems Running Windows Vista, listed in the Resources section.
Unsigned drivers can only be loaded on test computers by using the F8 option, or by attaching an active debugger.
Non-Plug and Play drivers can be either embedded-signed or have a signed catalog file. In either case, signing non-Plug and Play drivers require a cross-certificate.

Quite confusing. It says it can be installed based on trust levels and administrative settings. I just hope that administrative setting is the boot-time parameter that most people can't handle.

kovidgoyal · 10-10-2007, 06:50 PM

As I understand it, you can run unsigned drivers by pressing F8 at boot time. But to run on a normal boot your driver needs to be signed. Whether you have to pay money or not to get a certificate is really not the point. The fact that you *have to* sign your driver to use it is.

HarryT · 10-11-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

As I understand it, you can run unsigned drivers by pressing F8 at boot time. But to run on a normal boot your driver needs to be signed. Whether you have to pay money or not to get a certificate is really not the point. The fact that you *have to* sign your driver to use it is.

But that's the whole point of it. The fact that only signed drivers will run is to prevent "rogue" programs from invisibly "injecting" unauthorised drivers into the system. It's a security thing.

JSWolf · 10-11-2007, 09:40 AM

Anytime I've installed unsigned drivers with XP PRo, I always get a message about it and I am given the choice what to do. No reason 64-bit Vista cannot do the same before any driver is installed.

MikeF74 · 10-11-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Anytime I've installed unsigned drivers with XP PRo, I always get a message about it and I am given the choice what to do. No reason 64-bit Vista cannot do the same before any driver is installed.

No reason whatsoever. Except that Microsoft disallowed it.

They say it is for security. But really, it's going to be a slippery slope to where in 20 years time the only code allowed on computers will be signed code (not just the drivers). Great, my computer is less likely to be taken over, but now I can't do anything useful with it. Want to break the DRM on that book you just bought. Sorry, no can do because only signed code will run.

HarryT · 10-11-2007, 10:28 AM

What on Earth is wrong with code signing? Getting a digital certificate to sign code with needn't be expensive. The whole point of it is that the user should be able to verify that the author of code really is who they claim to be. That can only be a good thing.

People said that they wanted more secure operating systems. Microsoft provide such an operating system and people moan about it!

pilotbob · 10-11-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

vista's requirement for signed drivers means I for one wont be porting libprs500's USB driver to it. I find microsoft's attitude in this to be absolutely abhorrent.

What attitude? I think requiering drivers to be signed is a great idea. Of course, I also think that requierment should be disableable by policy editor.

Actually, I think the biggest mistake MS made with Vista was to release a 32 bit version. It should be 64-bit only. This way all Vista drivers would have to be 64-bit rather than now companies are lazy and only releasing 32-bit Vista drivers for their hard ware.

BOB

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10-10-2007, 12:07 PM	#17
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,299 Karma: 27111240 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	You have to pay to get a certificate and send the driver to microsoft for review. Way too many hoops to jump through.

10-10-2007, 04:15 PM	#22
MikeF74 Groupie Posts: 179 Karma: 28 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505	igorsk, I think most of that only applies to Vista32, Vista64 is a lot more strict. I think for 64-bit, it depends how deep the drivers need to go kernel-wise.

10-10-2007, 04:40 PM	#23
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Check the page. Authenticode = signature with a valid (but not Microsoft's) certificate, and that's enough to get your driver installed on x64 (though with a warning).

10-10-2007, 06:50 PM	#25
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,299 Karma: 27111240 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	As I understand it, you can run unsigned drivers by pressing F8 at boot time. But to run on a normal boot your driver needs to be signed. Whether you have to pay money or not to get a certificate is really not the point. The fact that you have to sign your driver to use it is.

10-11-2007, 09:40 AM	#27
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,619 Karma: 145864263 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Anytime I've installed unsigned drivers with XP PRo, I always get a message about it and I am given the choice what to do. No reason 64-bit Vista cannot do the same before any driver is installed.

10-11-2007, 10:28 AM	#29
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	What on Earth is wrong with code signing? Getting a digital certificate to sign code with needn't be expensive. The whole point of it is that the user should be able to verify that the author of code really is who they claim to be. That can only be a good thing. People said that they wanted more secure operating systems. Microsoft provide such an operating system and people moan about it!

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