Is someone willing to zip up their Easy Settings app folder for me?

I'm doing a clean install of Win 7 on a NP700G7C-S02US, and Easy Settings freezes the entire system during install. That combined with some of the nasty things it does to the system makes me not want to try that again. I couldn't even do a proper uninstall of it, and rather than trust System Restore to undo everything, I just formatted the drives and started over.

So, I'd like to ask if anyone is willing to zip up their Easy Settings app folder for me?

The version I grabbed off the support site has the version in the filename as v1.1.1.4, and although my system came with Windows 8 (evil!), I wiped with Windows 7, if it matters.

If anyone has a recent version and is willing to zip it up for me, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

You could also use SW Update to download Settings 2.0.0.30 for Win8. Inside that ZIP package is Easy Settings 2.x for Win7. It's the one I've been using since mid November. Maybe it'll work better with your model.

You may have to manually enter your model in SW Update, then find that Settings 2.0.0.30 package under Win8 software and Export it.

And I don't like Win8 either

 

If I did it that way, it would still run through its install routine, wouldn't it? That would still mess with the system settings (such as boot order for services), which I'm trying to avoid.

Unless you're saying the app directory can be extracted without running the install routine?

 

Yes, you're right, Esten, it would still run its installer. I don't know a way to extract the files without that. And I don't have a running 1.1.1.14 myself anymore, otherwise I guess I could have uploaded it. I am sure somebody must have it running.

But there is a chance that Easy Settings 2.x will run better on your model and not cause that lockup. I know gadgetsrants ended up using this version when installing Win7 on his Win8 model. And 2.x DOES run better out-of-the-box (fully installed and un-tweaked) than 1.1.1.14.

And think about it this way: I am one of the most vocal critics you'll find of Easy Settings and how it's been implemented and how it loads and messes with Windows loading order etc. I've advocated (or at least described) sideloading just the Fn-keys module (EasyDisplayMgr) for those who need to minimize latencies. Yet, I still run with it fully installed (but tweaked a bit) because I appreciate its features despite these shortcomings.

Of course that's all moot if it causes your PC to lockup. But something else is wrong in that case -- that's not part of the poor design I've been complaining about.

I would give 2.x a shot -- make an image backup of your Windows drive first

 

Fair enough, perhaps I'll give it another try. If I do the whole uninstall and run the copied directory trick, will it still have full functionality? Or will it only be useable for the Fn keys?

Also, you mentioned getting it through SW Update - is that part of the Easy Software Manager?


If I continue to have problems, I'm not sure I can even talk to support - some companies consider the warranty void if you wipe the drive and install a different O/S than what it came with.

 

Uninstalling Easy Settings and sideloading just EasyDisplayMgr (dmhkcore.exe) will give you basic Fn-keys only. You can still open ControlCenter with a Windows shortcut and use most of its features. But some features won't be available, such as Silent Mode (Fn-F11). And this only applies to Easy Settings 1.x. In 2.x the modules are different.

Look towards the end of this post for details on Easy Settings tweaking, V1 vs V2 etc. Actually, that entire post is a Win7 Clean Install guide -- I forget if I already linked to it in your other thread.

SW Update is the new incarnation of Easy Software Manager. If you run Easy Software Manager, it will update itself to SW Update. It provides some new features, including the ability to find drivers and utilities for specific Samsung models and Win versions (other than the one you're running) and the ability to Save (Export) those to a local folder.

I have no personal experience with Samsung Support, but my impression is they aren't that strict with the install thing and may still be willing to help. Others may be able to comment. On the other hand, once you've logged that call with them and they know you replaced the OS, they could (in theory) hold that against you if you ever need warranty service. Just a thought...

 

Thanks for telling me about the SW Update path of getting Easy Settings 2.x. I just tried it, and it installed without any problems. Well, except one - the Fn keys all work except for changing the keyboard backlight level. I can change that in Easy Settings, and it works just fine. But the Fn key combinations for it don't work at all.

Is this something you've heard of?

 

Changing the OS is not a justifiable defence against defective hardware but if you are not running the Samsung-supplied version of Windows then it can be difficult to prove that the problem is hardware and not software.

John

 

Afraid I haven't seen or heard of that before. Another user (fanoos) reported problems with his backlight not working at all, which turned out to be due to a dead light sensor (see this thread).

But in your case the backlight works and is adjustable in Easy Settings, just not with the Fn-keys, so I doubt it is the same problem. Maybe this version of Easy Settings simply isn't compatible with the Fn-keys on your model -- after all the Gamer is somewhat different.

Or maybe there is is something else wrong entirely. I am still puzzled why 1.1.1.14 (which is on Samsung's download page for your model) caused your PC to freeze.

Update: John is spot on re Samsung Warranty and Support: OS install doesn't justify denial of warranty service (should that ever become relevant). But the burden of evidence on your part becomes a little heaver with a non-standard install.

If I were you, I'd probably try another clean install before calling Samsung, to see if the problem resolves. Since you already wiped your disk, I would convert it to MBR and disable UEFI in BIOS to ensure max compatibility. After Windows Setup, install Chipset and WiFi drivers (Intel Driver Only package), then run Easy Software Manager / SW Update and let it do its thing. That's the closests you can get to a factory Win7 install on your PC.