Tech Support > Microsoft Windows > Drivers > Re: WHQL, HCT, WHDC, Windows Logo, Driver signing
Re: WHQL, HCT, WHDC, Windows Logo, Driver signing
Posted by Don Burn on April 13th, 2005


First some definitions:

WHQL - Windows Hardware Quality Labs - this is the group that tests
drivers/hardware
HCT - Hardware Compatibility Tests - this is the test suite for tesing the
drivers/hardware
WHDC - Windows Hardware and Driver Central - this is the website
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/default.mspx for getting data on drivers and
testing

You haven't given us much data. What does you device do? If it is a
standard type of device you need to run the logo program for that device.
If it is not a standard device there is an Unclassified logo program. If
you haven't do so, go to http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/whql/default.mspx for
the basic information.



--
Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
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"Raj" <Raj@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
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Posted by Tulup on April 14th, 2005


Is it possible to get driver cat. for the driver like AVStream\avssamp DDK
dir example? It is software emulated driver, no real device is attached.

Posted by r_konjeti@mailcity.com on April 14th, 2005


when microsoft says "hardware" do they mean hardware on PC. For
example, OHCI 1394 card installed in PCI slot or do they mean 1394
device connected to PC. My driver is upper level driver that is not
involved on PC hardware. It uses microsoft 1394 stack. So there is no
hardware certification required, just device driver should be signed I
guess. I dont understand how will they test my upper level driver if
they dont have my peripheral device. I dont want to microsoft
certification for peripheral device because I dont want to go to
Microsoft for every minor change.

Posted by Don Burn on April 14th, 2005


If you are connecting a physical piece of hardware to the PC you can get it
logo'd. Most logo testing is done by the firm developing the device and
submitted to Microsoft for review. As part of the agreement they can ask
for a loan of one of your devices to perform the testing.

You do not have to logo your device. Of course a lot of firms and
individuals will not by your device without it being logo'd. The cost of
logo'ing is small, and the last I knew a submission to Microsoft with all
tests passing was typically appoved in less than 2 business days.


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Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
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<r_konjeti@mailcity.com> wrote in message
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Posted by r_konjeti@mailcity.com on April 14th, 2005


Thanks Don. So can I get my driver signed without my device logo'd ?

Don Burn wrote:

Posted by Don Burn on April 14th, 2005


No your device has to be logo'd for a signed driver. There is going to be a
package signing so people can download drivers knowing it came from you that
does not involve logo'ing. This package signing (can't remember the
Microsoft term here) will not stop your users getting the "warning unsigned
driver:" messages, or if the administrator so chooses, blocking loading of
your driver all together.



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Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
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<r_konjeti@mailcity.com> wrote in message
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Posted by r_konjeti@mailcity.com on April 14th, 2005


Sorry, I dont understand here. If "package signing" is not going to
stop warning, what good it does. What is Microsoft "signing" for?

Another point is "warning or admin blocking" are not the only changes
happening as documentation suggests. There is difference in
installation as well. For every new device with same DeviceId(Vendor
and modelName being same), Windows asks for installation. We have to
reinstall "exactly same driver" for exactly same vendor and model. This
is going far beyond than "warning" user. This is arm twisting people to
get certified by Microsoft. After warning and if user accepts and admin
doesnot block, Windows should treat installation same as signed driver.
It is always bugging me if there is something wrong in my installation
or simply because it is unsigned driver. I cant test and see because I
dont have my driver signed. The documentation only talks about Vendor
and model for deviceId, never mentions anything like
per-device-installation for unsigned driver and only-once installation
for signed driver.

There is noway to even simulate signed driver testing because I dont
have signed driver. Or is there a way to simulate and see what
differences are in signed and unsigned driver ? Depending on
documentation doesnot satisfy me because I dont feel it is complete.


Posted by r_konjeti@mailcity.com on April 14th, 2005


I appreciate the idea of warning admin who is installing unsigned
driver. But going beyond that, asking to "reinstall" for same model and
vendor doesnot make sense.

Posted by Ray Trent on April 15th, 2005


It happens with signed drivers too, you just don't see it because
there's no message.

BTW, is this a USB device? If so, the real problem is likely to be that
it doesn't have a unique USB serial number.

Anyway, if you're annoyed now, just wait until Longhorn, when AFAIK the
plan is to only *allow* installation of signed drivers (period). Of
course, at the same time, they're relaxing what is meant by "signed" to
include Authenticode signing.

The goal appears to be to keep anonymous virus writers from being able
to install kernel mode drivers. But I'm sure it will be lots of fun
during development :-).

r_konjeti@mailcity.com wrote:
--
.../ray\..

Posted by r_konjeti@mailcity.com on April 15th, 2005


This is 1394 driver. But even in USB *I think*, having a unique serial
number makes it a target that windows "will" think each device with
same VID and PID need a unique driver(if unsigned) or need a
reinstallation for each device.

I am not talking about message or warning, I am talking to installing
for each device connected to PC.

Posted by Ray Trent on April 15th, 2005


If you've done it right, it's not supposed to for USB devices, but I
know nothing about 1394.

r_konjeti@mailcity.com wrote:
--
.../ray\..