Smart mirror shows dumb Windows in elevator • The Register

Smart mirrors are all the rage. However, rather than a list of headlines and tasks to do today, an unhappy Windows installation can make a smart mirror seem very dumb indeed.

This example, snapped by an eagle-eyed Register reader in a UK hotel elevator would normally be filled with enticing offers - perhaps promoting an overpriced, vaguely disappointing breakfast, or an evening meal freshly served from a microwave oven behind the hotel bar. But, in this case, it has an indication that all is not well in the world of Windows.

What happened

A smart mirror display in a hotel elevator has crashed, showing a Windows Boot Manager error screen instead of its intended promotional content. The error message indicates a problem with the system's boot process, specifically mentioning a recent hardware or software change.

The technical details

The error code 0xc0000428 is a clue that something might be awry with the digital signature of a file (perhaps ntoskrnl.exe) and, to be honest, we'd suggest nuking the whole thing from orbit. That's the only way to be sure when dealing with errant Windows installations.

Why it matters

It is also not really the sort of thing a customer wants to see when entering an elevator. While we don't doubt the majority of Reg readers would know an infomercial screen is highly unlikely to have anything to do with the operation of an elevator, there'll always be somebody who'd rather take the stairs when presented with Windows doing what Windows does best.

After all, the word "Crash" and standing in a metal box designed to whiz customers between floors do not make the greatest of bedfellows.

The Windows numbering conspiracy

And then there is the counting of floors. Microsoft famously skipped the number 9 in its Windows numbering scheme. In fact, considering that the order goes 1, 2, 3, 95, 98, 7, 8, 10, and 11 (not to mention stops at 2000, 2003, and that weird time when the company started using letters and words instead of numbers) we're not sure we'd trust a Windows-powered elevator to get us to where we need to be.

Certainly not without waves of nausea arising from ups and downs, or from finding yet more AI tools inserted where they really don't belong.

The broader implications

This incident highlights the fragility of digital signage systems that rely on consumer-grade operating systems. When these systems fail, they often display cryptic error messages that can confuse or alarm users who aren't technically savvy.

The use of Windows in embedded systems like smart mirrors and digital signage continues to be controversial, given its tendency to require frequent updates, be vulnerable to malware, and display error messages that are meaningless to most users.

What should have been displayed

Normally, this smart mirror would be showing promotional content - perhaps advertising the hotel's breakfast buffet, spa services, or restaurant offerings. Instead, guests are greeted with a technical error that undermines confidence in the establishment's technology infrastructure.

Similar incidents

This isn't the first time we've seen Windows errors appear in unexpected places. From airport information displays to fast-food ordering kiosks, Windows-based systems continue to pop up in public spaces where their failure modes can be particularly embarrassing.

The solution

For critical infrastructure and public-facing displays, many experts recommend using embedded operating systems designed for reliability rather than general-purpose desktop operating systems. These systems typically boot faster, are more resistant to malware, and can be configured to display helpful error messages rather than cryptic technical codes.

Until then, we'll likely continue to see Windows errors in the wild - a reminder that even in our increasingly digital world, technology can still fail in spectacular and confusing ways.