MSF Support for Driver Developers??

Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode Device
Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if so
could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must purchase
that, right?

Paul
Mon Aug 29 13:21:52 CDT 2005

Is MSF Microsoft? There's no separate driver support program that I've
heard of. When you buy Platform Builder, you get two support incidents that
you would use by calling Microsoft Product Support for embedded products.
It's a call-back program, so you call product support, tell the person who
answers what the problem is and someone calls you back in about 24 hours.
You can buy extra support incidents, too, if you've already used the two
free ones. The US phone number is (800) 936-5800. You can find this and
more information in the Technical Support item on the Platform Builder Help
menu. If you're outside the US, it's not clear who you call, but you might
try your local MS office.

Paul T.

"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
> Device
> Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if so
> could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
> purchase
> that, right?
>
>

Dean
Mon Aug 29 13:38:41 CDT 2005

MSF?

There is no tech support program from Microsoft for CE. They do have a
Professional Services program, but it is very expensive. Your support
options are the newsgroups, or the various consulting companies that
specialize in Windows CE.

Also note that there really is no such thing as "kernel mode device drivers"
in CE. CE has a completely different driver model than the desktop, and all
drivers run in their own user process space. Drivers have no more or less
capability than do regular user mode apps.

The only thing "kernel mode" means in CE is the ability to access the region
of memory reserved for the kernel without generating an exception.

--
Dean Ramsier - eMVP


"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
Device
> Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if so
> could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
purchase
> that, right?
>
>

Kass
Mon Aug 29 14:06:29 CDT 2005

Thank you for the feedback...
Dean, R U suggesting that consulting companies are less expensive than MSFT
(Microsoft)?
"Dean Ramsier" <ramsiernospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:eBGbijMrFHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> MSF?
>
> There is no tech support program from Microsoft for CE. They do have a
> Professional Services program, but it is very expensive. Your support
> options are the newsgroups, or the various consulting companies that
> specialize in Windows CE.
>
> Also note that there really is no such thing as "kernel mode device
drivers"
> in CE. CE has a completely different driver model than the desktop, and
all
> drivers run in their own user process space. Drivers have no more or less
> capability than do regular user mode apps.
>
> The only thing "kernel mode" means in CE is the ability to access the
region
> of memory reserved for the kernel without generating an exception.
>
> --
> Dean Ramsier - eMVP
>
>
> "Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
> news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
> Device
> > Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if
so
> > could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
> purchase
> > that, right?
> >
> >
>
>

Steve
Mon Aug 29 14:04:10 CDT 2005

"There is no tech support program from Microsoft for CE"
What!? Since when!? You can call MS support and get help on issues,
including drivers. In fact you get 2 free support incidents when you buy
Platform Builder. There is a Driver developer program as well but I'm not
sure if there are any support incidents that come with that.

--
Steve Maillet
EmbeddedFusion
www.EmbeddedFusion.com
smaillet at EmbeddedFusion dot com

Paul
Mon Aug 29 14:07:02 CDT 2005

You haven't actually told us anything about what you're looking for. You
are a driver developer? You need to develop what sort of drivers? For what
kind of device? Pocket PC? Your own? SmartPhone?

Paul T.

"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
> Device
> Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if so
> could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
> purchase
> that, right?
>
>

Dean
Mon Aug 29 14:08:04 CDT 2005

Depends what you're looking for, but in general I'd say yes. MS provides
support, but it's more geared to problem solving/investigation. In CE, you
pay per incident, or you purchase a contract (for lot's of money) that gives
you some number of hours. The contract route is more geared for big
companies with deep pockets.

Remember, MS isn't in the business of consulting. They are delivering a
product. They'll consult, but on terms that make it worth their while.

--
Dean Ramsier - eMVP


"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:O50JPwMrFHA.464@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Thank you for the feedback...
> Dean, R U suggesting that consulting companies are less expensive than
MSFT
> (Microsoft)?
> "Dean Ramsier" <ramsiernospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:eBGbijMrFHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > MSF?
> >
> > There is no tech support program from Microsoft for CE. They do have a
> > Professional Services program, but it is very expensive. Your support
> > options are the newsgroups, or the various consulting companies that
> > specialize in Windows CE.
> >
> > Also note that there really is no such thing as "kernel mode device
> drivers"
> > in CE. CE has a completely different driver model than the desktop, and
> all
> > drivers run in their own user process space. Drivers have no more or
less
> > capability than do regular user mode apps.
> >
> > The only thing "kernel mode" means in CE is the ability to access the
> region
> > of memory reserved for the kernel without generating an exception.
> >
> > --
> > Dean Ramsier - eMVP
> >
> >
> > "Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > > Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
> > Device
> > > Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if
> so
> > > could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
> > purchase
> > > that, right?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Kass
Mon Aug 29 14:14:17 CDT 2005

Steve,
where is the Driver Developer Program? where can I find more info about it?

"Steve Maillet (eMVP)" <nospam1@EntelechyConsulting.com> wrote in message
news:%23eZkyxMrFHA.3788@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> "There is no tech support program from Microsoft for CE"
> What!? Since when!? You can call MS support and get help on issues,
> including drivers. In fact you get 2 free support incidents when you buy
> Platform Builder. There is a Driver developer program as well but I'm not
> sure if there are any support incidents that come with that.
>
> --
> Steve Maillet
> EmbeddedFusion
> www.EmbeddedFusion.com
> smaillet at EmbeddedFusion dot com
>
>

Paul
Mon Aug 29 14:11:20 CDT 2005

Read my response to you. It has the phone number...

Paul T.

"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:%23unXb0MrFHA.2924@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Steve,
> where is the Driver Developer Program? where can I find more info about
> it?
>
> "Steve Maillet (eMVP)" <nospam1@EntelechyConsulting.com> wrote in message
> news:%23eZkyxMrFHA.3788@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> "There is no tech support program from Microsoft for CE"
>> What!? Since when!? You can call MS support and get help on issues,
>> including drivers. In fact you get 2 free support incidents when you buy
>> Platform Builder. There is a Driver developer program as well but I'm not
>> sure if there are any support incidents that come with that.
>>
>> --
>> Steve Maillet
>> EmbeddedFusion
>> www.EmbeddedFusion.com
>> smaillet at EmbeddedFusion dot com
>>
>>
>
>

Kass
Mon Aug 29 14:17:07 CDT 2005

yes, I am a driver developer... need to develop NDIS IM type drivers. I'm
planning to start with PocketPC Mobile editions and then move to smartphone
later... not my own device but the ones available in Market.

"Paul G. Tobey [eMVP]" <ptobey no spam AT no instrument no spam DOT com>
wrote in message news:O3$cTzMrFHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> You haven't actually told us anything about what you're looking for. You
> are a driver developer? You need to develop what sort of drivers? For
what
> kind of device? Pocket PC? Your own? SmartPhone?
>
> Paul T.
>
> "Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
> news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
> > Device
> > Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if
so
> > could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
> > purchase
> > that, right?
> >
> >
>
>

Don
Mon Aug 29 14:19:19 CDT 2005


"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:esGgB2MrFHA.3796@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> yes, I am a driver developer... need to develop NDIS IM type drivers. I'm
> planning to start with PocketPC Mobile editions and then move to
> smartphone
> later... not my own device but the ones available in Market.
>
Check out http://www.pcausa.com/ they have sample IM drivers and an active
email list for discussions including CE.


--
Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
Remove StopSpam from the email to reply

Paul
Mon Aug 29 14:27:46 CDT 2005

I'd say that, in this case, unless you want some training to learn how to
use Platform Builder, etc., the newsgroups and whatever resources you can
find on the Web are the best (and should be enough for what you need). If
you need training, there are a number of partners of MS who provide
training. You should be able to find a list of them at
www.microsoft.com/embedded by following the Windows CE links. If you run
into problems, you can post in the microsoft.public.windowsce.platbuilder
group...

Paul T.

"Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
news:esGgB2MrFHA.3796@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> yes, I am a driver developer... need to develop NDIS IM type drivers. I'm
> planning to start with PocketPC Mobile editions and then move to
> smartphone
> later... not my own device but the ones available in Market.
>
> "Paul G. Tobey [eMVP]" <ptobey no spam AT no instrument no spam DOT com>
> wrote in message news:O3$cTzMrFHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> You haven't actually told us anything about what you're looking for. You
>> are a driver developer? You need to develop what sort of drivers? For
> what
>> kind of device? Pocket PC? Your own? SmartPhone?
>>
>> Paul T.
>>
>> "Kass Moorse" <KassMoorse@nonospamhaha.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23iOO8QMrFHA.2624@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> > Does MSF provide a tech support program sort of thing for kernel-mode
>> > Device
>> > Driver Developers on different Windows OS including CE 4.2 and 5.0? if
> so
>> > could somebody provide a link please? I would assume that you must
>> > purchase
>> > that, right?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>