SafeGuard v7 and new Dell Laptop Models

So, we received a new E7470. Installing SafeGuard 7.00.1.2 results in white screen where the POA should be. With v7.00.2.23
same issue, but after ca. 2 mins the error "no init" appears.

Edit: Tried the "Shift+F6" Hotkey and it will boot to windows.

Edit: After the encryption the POA now doesn't recognize our USB-Dongles (eToken Pro 64k).

Hi sir 

            I meet this problem in Dell E7470 ， do you tell me how to solved this case ? thank you ! 

Hi,

there is no solution as of yet. This KB Article is still the only information they have: https://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/123749.aspx

And to be honest I am very disappointed, the way Sophos is handling this. There were always problems with the USB detection.

I am hoping that Version 8 will fix this!

Hi,

there is no solution as of yet. This KB Article is still the only information they have: https://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/123749.aspx

And to be honest I am very disappointed, the way Sophos is handling this. There were always problems with the USB detection.

I am hoping that Version 8 will fix this!

Hello Michael,

That's not correct, there are also KB articles like 123838, as per those articles this is not a Sophos issue as such. Please bear in mind that with this setup you're using a 7 year old operating system on brand new hardware. Microsoft have put out the following:

Microsoft announcement:
Microsoft is actively recommending Windows 10 for Skylake support and offers only limited support for Skylake and Windows 7 until July 2018. Unfortunately Windows 7 cannot take advantage of any of the technological advances in Skylake including Power Management, the integrated USB Controller, Virtualization and security improvements. Longer term, Microsoft will provide zero support for the next generation of Intel and AMD technology after Skylake and Carrizo on Windows 7. This will only be offered from Windows 10. For more information please refer to Microsoft’s Blog:http://blogs.technet.com/b/windowsitpro/archive/2016/03/18/updates-to-support-policy-for-skylake-devices-running-windows-7-and-windows-8-1.aspx

AMD Carrizo Architecture

• Devices using this architecture will fail to boot correctly.
• Please refer to this knowledge base article for more details: https://www.sophos.com/support/knowledgebase/123748.aspx

The described issue is due to a fundamental change in the hardware architecture of these new devices to use eXtensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI), which the Sophos pre-boot software does not currently support. Review of the development work required to support xHCI indicates the required software redesign efforts would be substantial.

Sophos customers are able to successfully use new devices, powered by Intel’s “Skylake” microarchitecture or AMD’s “Carrizo” Architecture, by using SafeGuard Enterprise’s capability to manage Microsoft BitLocker for Full Disk Encryption. SafeGuard Enterprise will also still support Full Disk Encryption for these new devices when running Windows 7, by managing BitLocker in Windows 7. This is the recommended resolution for customers who need to downgrade to Windows 7. Managing Microsoft BitLocker is Sophos’s strategy for Full Disk Encryption on Windows 8 and above.

Sophos understands that some customers would prefer to use Sophos’s Full Disk Encryption product rather than BitLocker on new devices, powered by Intel’s “Skylake” microarchitecture or AMD’s “Carrizo” Architecture and Sophos will continue to investigate the redesign efforts required to support xHCI. Sophos encourages customers to move to using BitLocker as described above.

Hi,

I know this article too, but that is such an non answer. We do not have 2018 yet and Windows 7 is still supported by all major companies.

Safeguard had problems with the USB support for years now, so please don't hide behind such articles.

We are waiting since late February for you to fix this, we even borrowed the german support one of our new models.

At least, so it seems, that the release of version 8 got delayed a bit. I am still hoping you will fix this issue.

Hello Michael,

I couldn't disagree more, far from a "non answer" it's an official statement from Microsoft, rather than hiding behind this article I'm trying to bring it to your attention. Your are correct in that it's not 2018 yet, but 2018 will be here in 18months.

If you're familiar with that article you'll notice the following:

"Sophos customers are able to successfully use new devices, powered by Intel’s “Skylake” microarchitecture or AMD’s “Carrizo” Architecture, by using SafeGuard Enterprise’s capability to manage Microsoft BitLocker for Full Disk Encryption. SafeGuard Enterprise will also still support Full Disk Encryption for these new devices when running Windows 7, by managing BitLocker in Windows 7. This is the recommended resolution for customers who need to downgrade to Windows 7. Managing Microsoft BitLocker is Sophos’s strategy for Full Disk Encryption on Windows 8 and above."

Regarding your comments "Windows 7 is still supported by all major companies" you'll notice the statement above reads "SafeGuard Enterprise will also still support Full Disk Encryption for these new devices when running Windows 7, by managing BitLocker in Windows 7"