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    NP900X4D-A03 runs but doesn't restart anymore after reinstallation of Windows 8 | BIOS update impossible

    Discussion in 'Samsung' started by Bierholen, Jul 30, 2013.

  1. Bierholen

    Bierholen Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi all,

    I have the following problems with my NP900X4D-A03:

    1. When I try to shutdown it goes to a blank screen but would't power off completely.
    2. When I try to reboot it shuts down and powers off but would't restart.
    3. Suspension modes don't work.

    These problems occur independent of the operating system.

    This is what happened:

    I had to install Windows 7 in order to get access to my WiDi adapter and install a firmware upgrade. Since I wanted to go back to Windows 8 and additionally use Linux, I wiped the SSD to first install Win 8 and then Ubuntu. I had to install Win 8 in legacy mode in order to have it activated with the key that is embedded in the bios. The installation of Ubuntu afterwards went smoothly as well so that I currently have both systems on my SSD.

    I thought that a bios upgrade might resolve the issues listed above. Unfortunately, I cannot manage to upgrade to the firmware that was recently released (P08ABK). The upgrade is provided as exe file so it is initiated when running Windows but then the laptop wouldn't restart as stated above. The screen goes blank and I need to power off by holding the power button and restart manually. Consequently, the upgrading procedure is lost.

    To overcome this, I extracted P08ABK.cap from the exe file and ran the Phoenix Phlash16 Utility for DOS from a usb drive I had booted from. Depending on the version I use (1.7 or 1.4), I got the following errors:

    - Invalid FlashInt.bin.
    - Part Table Signature not found in the Interface.

    In the first case the cap file is extracted before the error pops up. In the second case the upgrade fails right away.

    Now I'm stuck. Does anyone have an idea how to solve this issue, perhaps with a completely different approach? Any help is appreciated.
     
    Bierholen, Jul 30, 2013
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    There is a thread devoted to BIOS update problems. Hhave you been through it already?

    If you can't find a fix there then it's time to ask Samsung to fix the problem under warranty. It won't be the first such request although UEFI-related bricking problems have been more numerous.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jul 30, 2013
    #2