Pre-Requisites:

UEFI Configuration:

Make sure the device is fully powered down (not in standby state) by holding down the power button (15-30 seconds) until the screen goes black.

Remove the Surface Pro keyboard and disconnect any accessories

Boot to the UEFI configuration (BIOS) by holding down the Volume-Up button while pressing the power button. Release the power button and hold the volume button until you see the Surface logo.

Under Security  turn off Secure Boot

UEFI Security

Under Boot configuration  select “USB Storage” and drag to the top of the list.

UEFI Boot configuration

Power off the device again.

Booting with Paladin

Connect the USB hub to the Surface Pro.

Attached to the USB hub you should have:

  • Flash Drive (Paladin bootable) - https://sumuri.com/make-your-own-paladin-usb-2/
  • USB hard drive for evidence collection
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
    • *Keyboard/mouse can be either wired USB or one that leverages an RF dongle. (no Bluetooth)

USB hub and peripherals

PRO Tip – if the USB hub has power buttons for the individual devices make sure all the ports are powered on. ;)   Yes, I did spend about 10 minutes troubleshooting this. (Mondays)

Hold down the Volume-Down  key and press the Power  button. Continue holding the Volume-down  button until you see the Surface logo.

System should now boot to the Paladin USB

Booting from Paladin USB

Select the default (top) option – Sumiri Paladin Live Session – Forensic Mode

Boot menu selection

Once booting is complete, you will be presented with the Paladin Desktop.

Paladin Desktop on Surface Pro

Imaging:

Click on shortcut for  Paladin Toolbox

Note the Warning about Dates/Times and click OK

Date/time warning

Select the Source Device. In this case I’m choosing /dev/sda  which will be the entire disk (3 partitions) on the host hard drive.

Specify the image format: Expert Witness Format,  EWF (E01)

Populate the case details for the EWF based on case requirements

Populate E01 Case Information

Specify the image Destination

Specify Destination Drive

Label: $hostname of asset

Check Verify after creation

Click  Start

Imaging in process

A full disk image and verification will take several hours. When completed you will see Image completed and Verification completed in the green text at the bottom.

Click on the shield in the left corner and select the power button icon to shut down.

Disconnect the bootable USB drive and your destination USB drive.

Verify files/folders created by mounting the external USB drive to your examination system.