2013 Series 7 chronos / Ativ Book 8 15" owner's lounge (NP770Z5E / NP780Z5E / NP870Z5E / NP880Z5E)

Yesterday I spilled a cup of tea in my np770. I disassembled it, and blew it with a drier, but some keys stopped functioning.

I have 2 spare laptops in my house, same model, but I was wondering how to remove the keys.... And tutorials?

 

Nearly 4.5 years into its service, my beloved NP770Z5e is now experiencing the image retention/screen burn-in issue.
To fix the issue I bought a new, compatible screen, which to my dismay was far inferior to the native. Viewing angle is so bad that the screen looks entirely different on top compared to bottom when looking straight at it. I was a fool to just assume a compatible screen would automatically be the same screen as the native. In hindsight I have found that they sell the same screen with IPS technology somewhere else.
I decided looking at a slightly burned-in screen is better than looking at what I think must be a relic from the Jurassic age, so I changed back to my native screen, only to find that the burn-in issue had now become much more severe(!). Somehow, it seems the operation of changing displays worsened the issue.
Does anyone make sense of this?

 

Thats weird, never thought that could happen.

How did you remove the front plastic that protects the screen? How did you glue that back into position? How does it look the ginal product?

 

finally had to replace the cpu fans.. looked up part number and found a pair of cpu fans on ebay for ~AUD$27

and yup had to remove entire heatsink to get to the screws on otherside

 

Good job. Thank you for sharing it here.

 

Can we expect BIOS update from Samsung to prevent Spectre & Meltdown risks? I doubt it but if anyone has any info it's appreciated.

 

I have permission to post in two places. The other place is:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...tting-down-on-me-lately.812800/#post-10663818

I've been getting an error code 0 xa 00000001 on my samsung laptop running a SSD with windows 8.1 about once every two weeks lately, usually while running my Adobe CS6 program. The computer suddenly shuts down, and while rebooting gives me that code. I can't remember everything it says as I only had time to scribble the code number. Can't be memory as I'm running 16GB DDR3 1600 memory. The control panel/system specs shows 16GB too.
Googling doesn't come up with anything... closes it gets is 0xc00000001, but 0 xa 00000001 is exactly what I'm seeing on the blue screen while it's rebooting and repairing.
Here is my notebook specs:
Samsung ATIV Book 6 NP680Z5E-X01US - Intel Core i7 3635QM
16GB DDR3 1600 memory - Samsung 850 EVO 250GB 2.5" SATA III SSD
4TB WD Passport external Drive via USB - 1GB AMD Radeon 8770M
+ Switchable Graphics - touchscreen panel 15.6 inch 16:9 - 1920x1080
Windows 8.1 x64

Later Yesterday,
Something not good is going on. Yesterday alone, I had the shutdown mentioned above, AND it froze on me twice and I had to hold the power button down to shut it off as the 3 finger bit didn't work. Stayed froze. All three times I was using my Adobe CS6 program when it happened.

Don't know if this would be because of my SSD? In the past with SSD's if it was anywhere close to 3/4 full, they would slow down and cause problems. Mine has 115GB used space and 93GB free space, so it's approaching 3/4 full.

Anybody???

 

iF you doubt of your ssd you could use a program like SSDlife free to check intregity.

But most likely, like the rest of the users here, your graphics card is starting to die.

 

You're the only user who said this... but where did you get the info "...your graphic card is starting to die"

 

Many users here are having VGA problems with this old model, probably because of just age, use and heat. There is a tutorial on the first post to modify the bios of this noebook in order to dissable permanently the ATI VGA.

Did you check the ssd status with the software i told you?

 

VGA??? I was talking about the GPU. My SDD checks out fine. It's new, only six months old anyways.

 

Even though the 2017 drivers don't work, there HAS to be a driver between 2013 - 2016 that that would work for my Samsung ATIV Book 6 NP680Z5E-X01US???

Anybody know?

 

C'mon folks!!! There HAS to be a WORKING AMD GPU driver that is newer than 2013.
It is definitely a driver problem as I get the message from time to time that the " AMD driver has stopped working and has recovered".

 

VGA = GPU.

As I've said, most likely you have a faulty GPU, like many other people in this thread.

In post #6158 you said the SSD could be the source of problem. Since you ruled that out, then you can start with other hardware. The only thing I can think of related to your problem that can be replaced is the RAM.

If you rule out the RAM, then it has to be the moderboard. Since the problem is related to a GPU intensive task, then most likely is the GPU, wich is soldered and cannot be removed.

 

Well you were wrong... it was a driver problem. I solved it myself. First the drivers were outdated as both were 2013 versions and I would get a message from time to time saying the AMD driver has stopped working... plus when I clicked on the AMD Radeon Settings, I would get a message that the ADM driver was not working... but device manager said it was etc. See screenshot. No matter what I did, I couldn't update the drivers... which I'll cover how I fixed it in the next post.

 

Run a test with 3dmark and see how it goes.

 

Here is how I finally solved the GPU driver problem. It was obvious I couldn't do it with Win 8.1 as Microsoft doesn't support it anymore, so I'm forced to migrate to Windows 10, which I tried to do three times before, but it froze at 78%. So I gave up until now...
However, I've gotten Windows 10 installed with the current drivers and everything updated. The reason I couldn't get past 78% while trying to install Win 10 before was I was doing it from upstairs via wireless connection. This time, I was downstairs plugged into the ethernet port and turned off the firewall. Worked like a charm this time. Then the Samsung Update Software updated everything else for Windows 10. Strange, the driver for intel is dated 8/17/15 while the AMD driver is dated 9/22/17. But much better than both original drivers dated 2013 before in Win 8.1
Here is the screenshot when I was done:

 

Well, it worked out as I did want to upgrade to Win 10 before, but failed 3 times so I was trying to make Win 8.1 work.

I learned a few things this time around. You can never quit learning in the Tech age.

BTW, I'm not exactly a newbie nor computer illiterate either as I've been a member here for 12 years. I bought my first laptop & desktop back in 1985 and still have it and it still works! I've owned at least 20 laptops since then along with a few desktops but prefer laptops. I've built a few and did repair until 2015 where I decided to stick with digital photography.

Here are a couple links to backup my claims:

http://www.1-4u-computer-graphics.com/

http://1-4u-computer-graphics.com/Old_New_Computers.htm

 

Does anyone know if this laptop comes with a TPM chip?

 

My lovely laptop just started making horrible noise. It seemed to me that the fans started to spin at 100% but not sure if that was the real cause. It was awful, had to restart it and now it's finally quiet. Never happened before, even when my PC's PSU was dying it wasn't that bad. Has anyone had similar experience with this laptop?

EDIT: So I'm guessing that the 8870M died. When I try to install its drivers everything freezes and when I reboot the screen is black. I then have to go to safe mode to disable it. I'm very disappointed with Samsung, probably won't be buying their laptop anytime soon.

 

Hi brand new here. I have a NP780Z5ES02CA from Canada. Previous owner had played inside and left screws loose. After we’ve used it for a year it is completely dead. No power no lights. I’ve tested the battery and it has 16.8 v when unplugged and 0 volts when plugged into the motherboard. Charging jack is good. 18v coming in but 0 in the motherboard. So I’m in need of a motherboard
BA92-12622A and BA92-12622B are the numbers on it. I see BA92-12130 on eBay and wonder if it will work. Or if someone has one here for sale.
Thanks for any help. I will continue reading the forum for any other info.

 

So I eventually got round to trying an alternative strategy to upgrade my NP780Z5E to the Spring Creators update, since it was continually re-downloading it, installing it, hanging because of the dead Radeon chip and rolling back.

Since I couldn't make the bios hack to disable the AMD GPU work, I tried the following method:

• Opened the bottom and took out the hard drive (well, the SSD I upgraded to)
• Put the ssd into another computer - a Thinkpad with a 1 or 2 generation newer Intel Chipset
• That computer started up, set up its own drivers in Windows 10, then restarted
• Performed the upgrade to Win 10 1709 on the Thinkpad
• Restarted a few times, so the upgrade had taken hold, and it wouldn't panic and roll back if it detected a startup error
• Took the SSD back out of the Thinkpad, and put it back in the Samsung
• The Samsung did the equivalent install of its own drivers - and hung when it was trying to set up the AMD GPU
• Restarted in Safe Mode (it's so hidden in all those menus now, it's a bit ridiculous)
• Disabled the AMD GPU in device manager
• Rebooted, and everything is upgraded and working

What a faff, but it's better than constantly trying to prevent the thing upgrading, then waiting for it to roll back again. Same again in a few weeks when it wants 1803, I suppose.

Also, I found out during the process that the battery has expanded, so I had to whip that out and order a replacement. Dear me, it's probably just as well that Samsung have given up selling laptops in Europe.

 

I finally managed to repair my water damaged NP77025E for €150! So happy. I'm thinking about selling my nvidia gtx 980m equipped p35x, get a desktop and use my series 7 for media consumption/portable computer needs since it's more stylish, slim and has a better battery and a very similar cpu. Do you guys think this a good plan?

 

One thought.

One thought--your 8870 may not actually be dead. I've come across the problem with recent Windows Insider builds, and see evidence that others may be having similar problems. I believe the result is the same you are seeing--complete machine freeze at some point either while installing a windows update or while installing an AMD driver, followed by a roll back (and potentially need to go into safe mode to disable/Remove driver).

If I block windows from updating (and putting in place whatever driver is causing the problem); I am able to get the latest AMD driver up and running successfully, by following a careful set of steps. Not sure why it worked, but essentially I took the advice from this post:

1. Uninstall all AMD drivers and reboot.
2. Install an old (15.x series) Radeon Driver. Reboot.
3. Install an old (16.x series) Radeon Driver over the 15.x. Reboot
4. Install an old (17.x series) Radeon Driver over the 16.x. Reboot
5. Install a recent/current 18.x series driver.

Just installing the latest driver itself would freeze the machine, but the gradual upgrade, for whatever reason, worked.

 

Guys if anyone was wondering, I have an 8770m motherboard from the np780Z5E-S01UB working in my 8870m based np770Z5E! Only my keyboard backlight isn't working but I'm 95% sure it's unrelated with the mismatched motherboard.

So yes they are compatible/interchangeable.

UPDATE: EVERYTHING is working now including gpu, (keyboard) brightness controls,...

 

Anyone's brightness control stopped working after the latest Windows 10 version 1803 update?

 

I'm on 1803 without issues, have you tried the regedit moddification to allow brightness control?

 

hi, looks like the HDD in my NP770Z5e is dying. Can someone recommend a good cost efficient model for a SSD replacement. Or are there certain makes and models that are best avoided? Any tips are welcome.

 

Any ssd should be quite better in terms of performance against the original hdd. Im using a 850 pro 1tb without issues.

 

Does someone knows if the driver problems with Windows10 and the GPU were solved? I'm currently using Windows7 and without the 8870m, just the integrated cards because otherwise it just crash and the laptop can't be used

 

I have three different NP770 z5e notebbok, none of them have ever had problems with windows 10 and the amd gpu.

 

Mine gets a error loop And I have read comments of many people with the exact same problem.

 

Did you try disabling the vga card?

 

Yep, in fact I'm no currently using the 8870m, just the HD4000, wich lacks a lot of power.

I even tried a really old driver ( version14.xx I think, or something around that number) from the samsung app with the windows 7 I'm using right now and it crashed anyways .

 

Maybe the vga is broken?

 

The last time somebody reported problems with the amd card was Jack53 here

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...870z5e-np880z5e.713184/page-617#post-10677265

I got attacked by him while suggesting it might be a faulty gpu, but he made a post about how he solved his particular problem.

 

Hello everybody!

I have Ativ book 8 np880z5e, running Windows 10. It seems like it became very slow since updating to Win 10, plus issues regarding brightness control and etc. What OS is the best for this model, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Win 10?
PS I couldn't find such information in this thread.

 

Windows 10 + total 12gb of ram + samsung evo pro 1tb ssd, and this thing flies.

 

My NP870Z5E stopped charging...

Anyone had this issue? The charger outputs the correct voltage but no lights come on at all on the laptop.
Is the logic board probably damaged or could it be just the charger jack?

 

Just tried the OC guide, I also had an EnableUIPS and Enable UIPS_NA. Set the value on both, rebooted, then opened Afterburner, It let me grab the OC bars but not move them to actually OC it. I downloaded drivers from AMD site, not sure if that's an issue. Any ideas?

Windows 10 with SSD by the way, fresh install.

 

Hi all, I need some guidance. My ATI/AMD dedicated graphics card in my NP770Z5E died about a year ago. I have been using it fine with the integrated graphics card just cannot play games. The issue I have is that I cannot upgrade to the latest Windows 10 Spring update as it freezes around 40+%. As far as I've read, its the dedicated graphics card driver that's trying to be installed by the update. I have tried a number of different things but nothing has worked. Perfect solution would be to disable the dedicated graphics card at hardware level however there is no option in the BIOS. I saw a post on here a few pages ago (from tqbinh) about disabling the card via a modded BIOS but it doesn't disable the card, I may be doing something wrong with the BIOS mod.

I see some have gone to fairly extreme lengths in taking the hard drive out and putting it in another computer to do the update but I want to avoid that if possible. Any suggestions?

 

Hi. Recently, my ativbook 8 (NP870Z5E) started to boot up in a very long time. When i boot up the notebook, there is 10 minutes time gap (black screen) before i see Samsung logo. After seeing the Samsung logo, windows opens in 20 seconds. After some googling, I conluded that my BIOS software is the problem. But, i have not able to find the latest software for my notebook. BIOS is not listed in Samsung Update software.

If there is any one to supply the BIOS software, it is very appriciated. Thank you.

 

Hi again. I have managed to solve my problem after several days of searching internet. As I thought, the problem was corrupt BIOS. I flashed the latest BIOS and my problem has been solved. Here is what i did:

1- Download latest BIOS from the below link (The BIOS file is the latest BIOS file for ativbook 8 (NP870Z5E). Do not use the file for other Models !!!!)

http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20140512_21365_WIN_P05ADH.exe

2- Run the Exe file

3- Click yes (user account control)

4- Click ok (Samsung Firmware Update)

5- Go to "C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Local\Temp\__Samsung_Update" folder. And copy all the files to a usb stick

6-Open cmd promt (as administrator)

7- Change directory to the directory of usb stick (i.e. F: )

8- Run following command "afuwinx64 P05ADH.cap /p /GAN"

 

I’ve managed to sort out my issue after a lot of attempts. I tried modding my BIOS to unhide the Chipset menu (I cannot find the guide right now but will post if anyone is interested). I then tried the setting tqbinh suggested:
Go to unlocked BIOS and set the followings:
a) Chipset -> System Agent (SA) Configuration -> Graphic Control → Primary display: IGFX
b) Chipset -> System Agent (SA) Configuration -> NB PCIe Configuration -> Enable PEG: Disabled

The first setting never stuck and kept reverting back to SG (Switchable Graphics). The second setting is when the pain started! If I selected PEG: Disabled then the laptop wouldn’t even Post. I had to open up the laptop to unplug the CMOS battery to clear the settings to get it to boot. In the end, I removed the Hard drive and installed it into another PC and got the 1803 update to install. Once that was complete and booted up normally, I then shutdown, put it into my laptop again then used it from there. I did have issues where I could only use safe mode however uninstalling the AMD drivers (must have been part of 1803 update) and disabling the Video card in Device Manager sorted this out.

Morale of the story, you can MOD your BIOS, but I wouldn’t recommend it!

 

Thanks You!!!!!!

 

I took the lazy way and just use windows7, where I don't have problems with the OS forcing to install drivers for the dedicated graphics ahahaha. At least it runs fast.
I do miss the windows 10 effects tho

 

Please post the link the guide, out of curiosity im going to play with the third np770 i have laying on my house, wich is having vga problems.

 

Apparently there's a new windows update soon to be released. I put my hopes in that one to fix the compatibility issues with the drivers.

 

Hi, everyone.

I have been having problems with my keyboard because some keys stopped working then almost all of them. So I decided to open it and replace it. I got to the keyboard by cutting the plastic ribbets and put it all back but now the computer charges, and it turns on but the screen won't turn on and the fans either so the heatsink heats up quickly but I can't do anything more. Does anyone know why this can be? This is not the keyboard replacement I make for a laptop but this never happened to me. I've disassembled it twice and checked everything is connected the right way and there are no shorts with the metallic frame of the keyboard.

Does anyone know what could be happening?

 

So I'm having problems with 3 laptops (2xNP770 and 1xNP870) and some kingston A400 256GB drives.... They hung after installing the AMD drivers... Any ideas?

I've ruled out the laptops, and it's impossible for the three drives to be bad, so this must be a compatibility issue.