Samsung 15" Series 9 NP900X4C with Ivy Bridge CPU

isn't it the Product ID? right-click My Computer/Properties, bottom line.

hope this helps.

 

The Windows key is on the PSU.

John

 

Thank you so much, I was going nuts looking for it.

 

Take a photo of it so you have a record should the PSU go astray.

John

 

Getting fed up with SAMSUNG support, its really bad. They don't even know what the new touchpad drivers look like on the NP900X4C and their answer to every problem is to run a complete restore...

2 issues continue, as folks have mentioned:

-The weird whistle sound, a whistle sound that appears randomly when the sound is activated (system beeps or such)

-I thought I fixed the touchpad, in a previous post using the ETDAniconf.exe found in the touchpad driver install zip file. But even lowest sensitivity, still causes it to jump all over the place when i type.

Anybody make any headway with these 2 bugs?

 

I'm not sure whether or not to purchase this. The screen is average yet it is 15 inches versus 13 (or is the size negligible) and the cooling seems to be sub-par and there's an added pound of weight yet everything else about this screams high end (if you get a good SSD).
Are the disadvantages I mentioned critical in purchasing this if I were using it for college?

And if so, the 13 inch Samsung seems amazing in all ways yet the 4GB RAM is very worrying considering I'll have to use this for 2 years and 4 Gigs doesn't seem very futureproof.

So for college use, I'm undecided between the two. I tried the Asus but the touchpad just threw off completely.

 

I would describe the screen as better than average but not in the same league as the 13" Series 9. The size difference is significant - area is proportional to the diagonal squared but Samsung's 15" Series 9 is also noticeably smaller than a standard 15.6" notebook.

The problem with the cooling system is that Samsung need to raise the temperature thresholds that trigger the changes in fan speed. They probably copied over the settings from the smaller Series 9 but because there is only one fan then it reaches full speed more often. The maximum temperatures are well inside acceptable thresholds.

While the 15" Series 9 is significantly heavier than its smaller sibling, part of that extra weight goes into 50% higher battery capacity, increasing the likelihood that you can get through a day without needing to look for a power socket.

On a different subject, yesterday I installed Intellimemory which is a download offered by Easy Software Manager. Today I noted that my RAM usage is nearly 7GB although I haven't got many programs open. It would appear that Intellimemory is aggressively using spare RAM as a cache.

John

 

Any owners of the 15" Series 9 ever wish you had gotten the 13" instead?

 

See my comments here.

John

 

How are the temps when watching/streaming a 1080p movie while the laptop is on your lap or on a blanket (something obstructing airflow)?

 

Strict answer is "no", but I do wonder every now and again, what it'd be like if I had gotten the 13" instead.

I do think I was more or less right about getting the 15" for increased battery power. While I haven't encountered a situation where I was incapacitated due to running out of power and not having access to mains, I have found that using the laptop with strong daylight usually means I have to jack the screen brightness to near max brightness which increases drain. Having a good safety margin there certainly took my mind off things.

 

Hi, I've I just installed the same Crucial M4 SSD (M4-CT256M4SSD3) as in John's review, however I cannot get it to run at SATA III (6gbps) consistently.

From a cold boot, the IRST application reports "SATA transfer rate: 3Gb/s" and I get sequential read speeds of about 275MB/s from CrystalDiskMark. However, when waking up from sleep mode, IRST correctly reports transfer speed of 6 Gb/s and I get sequential reads of 470MB/s from CrystalDiskMark which is more like it. This lasts for sometime before reverting back to SATA II speeds once again ... and I have to repeat the sleep-wake cycle to get SATAIII.

Anyone able to get SATA III speeds from a cold boot and keep it on permanently?

 

The increased battery life is good, but how are the temperatures and the display? From what I can tell, some reviews like notebookcheck.net docked a large amount of points due to bad surface temperatures and the poor display.

 

It's not a problem I have noticed and I get no messages. Make sure that your BIOS is up to date (run the BIOS update checker program) and reinstall the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver. Also try reseating the SSD and run CrystalDiskInfo to check the SMART data for errors.

John

 

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone can help me out with this problem i've been having. For some reason, my wallpaper photo comes up a little choppy whereas on my old mac it came up just fine. Its a very hi res photo. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thanks!

 

Greetings and salutations :thumbsup:

Having left behind the mediocrity that is HP I finally bit the bullet and purchased myself a Series 9, 15" NP9004C (A01CH) here in Switzerland, so with i7 and 256GB SSD. Beautiful machine absolutely love it!! Ironically it was the same price as the i5 128GB in the UK after I did the conversion back to Swiss Francs.

I digress. What are people's thoughts on deleting the recovery partition, the hibernation partition etc. I really would like to free up the extra SSD, but have some hesitations towards deleting the recovery partition. I have already created both Samsung recovery options to my external HDD (full and system). That said I have only created the backups on an external USB3.0 HDD not on an external optical drive? What's the difference ? I mean in the event of a failure wont I be able to fully recover from the HDD image?

I havn't purchased and external optical drive yet....

 

Guys,

Can anybody confirm that there was a BIOS update in the past days? Since I am a Linux user, I have to jump through lame steps to update the BIOS, such as record an image of my current setup, restore the Windows image I took when Windows was still there, update the BIOS and finally restore back my current setup. This is a lot of work for finding out that there wasn't any update at all

Thanks to anybody who can tell me whether a new BIOS is available or not!

 

I can confirm, there is a bios update
Don't know what is the log about changes... don't understand why Samsung don't release one...

I don't understand why the Easy Software manager doesn't notify about new bios updates and also on the Samsung website, in the support page for this model is not updated with new firmwares

I only new about the update cause someone else here said that there was an update available

 

After many hours of searching and experimenting, I seemed to have found a solution to the Crucial M4 issue. For anyone in the same boat, I applied the registry fix as per:

Solution: C300 Disk Freeze-ups in Windows 7 solved... - Crucial Community

This assumes you are using the Intel AHCI drivers, and not the windows ones.

Hope this helps someone out there!

 

I always crop / resize my wallpaper image to match the display resolution (1600 x 900). Also, does you hi-res image have the 16:9 aspect ratio to match the display? Otherwise you will be getting different scaling in X and Y directions.

You may want to consider getting Acronis True Image which can make a complete backup image onto your external HDD as well as being able to make images of individual partitions. If you have done that they you can delete the recovery partition knowing that you can always restore it from the Acronis image. Acronis also includes a utility to make a bootable flash drive which works on my Series 9.

The hibernation partition is needed for the Intel Rapid Start Technology. If you want to rearrange your partitions then turn off IRST in Easy Settings and try to follow the steps in this thread. If you delete the hibernation partition and expand other partitions(s) then the hibernation partition will get recreated.

That update wasn't there a few days ago but yes, P04AAC is now available. I'm sure that ESM told me about one of the earlier BIOS updates. However, I suspect someone has to update the ESM database whereas the BIOS updater program probably just looks at the last 3 letters of the BIOS number and can search in a BIOS update folder for anything newer.

As for any changes, perhaps there are some bug-fixes. Also, I noticed an entry to enable / disable Intel Anti-Theft Technology which I hadn't previously noticed. Something to investigate.
Note that after a BIOS update the Samsung Fast Start and Battery Life Extender need to be re-enabled in Easy Settings.

There's something rare that causes the problem: I'm using the m4 with the Intel AHCI drive. Anyway, it's useful to know the fix.

John

 

I see the P04AAC here but still not on ESM (updated ESM with the new version this morning). Wonder if it's safe to just download the exe and install outside of ESM.

 

I use the Samsung BIOS updater program which you can download if not already on your computer. It checks, downloads and, with your agreement, installs the new BIOS.

I see there is an update to ESM that wasn't there a few hours ago.

John

 

Where can I find this Samsung BIOS updater?

 

Thanks for your learned feedback, appreciate it. Doesn't the supplied Samsung Recovery Solution 5 create a complete disk image, quote from the help guide.

A Complete Backup saves the complete image of the Windows drive onto another drive or DVD. A Complete Restore restores the image file saved by the Complete Backup onto the Windows drive.

If you run Complete Backup using a DVD, you can restore the computer even when a problem occurs with the hard disk or when the recovery area is removed.
​

Regarding the hibernation partition, I think I will leave that puppy alone.

Cheers

 

I believe it is under "firmware" in the Samsung website downloads section.

 

As far as I can see, SRS likes to have a recovery partition to give the full functionality. I just tried hitting F4 at the BIOS prompt and got a message about invalid recovery area but it will run from within Windows. I know that I can get Acronis to boot from a flash drive.

Regarding the hibernation partition I feel more confident about zapping it after find this info earlier today. If you are want a big C: then you have delete that partition to include the space freed up by deleting the recovery partition.

John

 

Thank you Buff.

And thanks again, John!

 

,
Nope, that was already there, at least since previous firmware version, and I believe also before that...

 

Just updated BIOS to P04AAC using the BIOS updater tool. No idea what was changed. Samsung should really include change logs.

 

I keep hoping that Samsung will raise the temperature required for the fan to go to fast speed (perhaps also introduce another intermediate speed) but this evidently has not happened in P04AAC.

John

 

I like notebookreview and this thread! The thread has too many information which is very useful. The only limitation here is 114 pages of post to read! I think it is a bit hard read even though there is a lot of information in there. I see that this laptop has issues and fixes. Could someone post issues and fixes in just one new topic, and anther thread for driver? I am sure people like John Ratsey can easily do that. :thumbsup:

 

I did indeed, figured I may as well drop them a line to let them know the latest update was causing some issues, hopefully it doesn't take too long to fix and release a new update.

Cheers,

Stefan

 

hi guys, please help me cos im desperate here.

i bought this version last month in california (amazon) and moved to london, uk three weeks ago. Ive been using the laptop since then wuth no problem, but suddenly today i faced the desktop freezed and tried to restart the machine. unfortunately it showed a message: a disc error... please press crtl alt del.... ive tried starting in safe mode, restoring it with samsungs device, but is never got after windows logo....

what should i do? im kinda of newbie but didnt do anything wrong as far as i know.
is the warranty valid here?


thanks

 

Can you please clarify a few points. We need to sort out whether the problem is with the SSD hardware or Windows boot files have got corrupted. Does the computer appear to start booting into Windows? What message do you get if you press F4 at the BIOS screen (this should get you into Samsung Recovery Solution). If SRS runs then you can see if it offers a repair option (you want to avoid a full restore which might over-write all your files).

It appears from here that your computer is covered by an international warranty.

John

 

thanks for answering john!

so, i try to boot and it appears the phrase a disc error occured....
when i press the f4 button it gives me the option of doing the repair, but as i choose this, it get stuck in the loading windows logo. so i dont actually see the repairing programme and its fuctions.

i discovered theres a authorized store here in london so i will go there tomorrow and see. besides being pissed about the situation, i dont have any money left to repair this.....hope it all turns out to be ok and simple.

 

Hey everyone,

quick question here: is anyone able to open up the 15 inch series 9 lid with one hand? I find it very difficult to open even using 2 hands. On the 13 inch model its so easy. Thanks.

 

In relation to the above post, does the screen touch the keyboard? Is there any rubber protection between the lid and the trackpad area? Is the VGA port available in the market? Does all Series 9 ultrabooks have international warranty?

 

Could someone please tell me where I can download the BIOS Updater Tool?

Thanks

 

I need to use two hands. Don't forget that the 15" hinges need to be stiffer than the 13" in order to stop the bigger screen from flapping around.

There is a thin rubber strip on the outside edge of the top and two sides of the display bezel to stop the display from rubbing on the palm rest.

You have two options for the VGA: One is a dongle for the special micro-VGA port. I think this is part No. AA-AV1N12B/E. The other option is a micro-HDMI to VGA dongle (which includes a digital to analogue converter chip) part No. AA-AH1NAMB/E.

It appears that all Samsung notebooks have a limited 1 year international warranty. Click on the international warranty link here. My warranty booklet says that you will need to have proof of purchase and provide the computer complete as supplied, including any media.

John

 

Dear John, Thank you very much for the answer. I will be contact local Samsung distributor if they accept international warranty.
I checked on the vga adapter and the price is higher than expected. So I think it is better to use cable as they are often cheaper. And I found this. Will it fit into Samsung Series 9?

My other question is, how long the power chord and adapter is and if it is international comparable. I am talking about the volts 220 vs 110 volts.

 

The London service is very good and they are very helpful and obliging. I had the (Broadcom) wireless adapter changed on my first gen series 9 and while they were at it they popped in a second 4Gb ram chip which I supplied. All done while I waited.

 

What JR said is correct, it is not normally possible to open the lid with one hand. BUT if you do it quickly then it might open with one hand (though this might only be on my laptop).

 

No, that won't fit - it is DisplayPort to VGA. You need micro-HDMI to VGA (or micro-HDMI male to HDMI female + a HDMI to VGA adapter. I first went that route but the quality of the picture wasn't very good so I got the Samsung adapter when it became available which gave a better picture (but still not good). It's something I need to have available in case I have to use a projector. If your display has an HDMI port then a micro HDMI to HDMI cable isn't expensive.

All notebook power supplies for the past 20 years or so have been able to handle a wide range of input voltage. My Samsung PSU says 100 - 240V, 50-60Hz on the label. You just need an adapter for the mains plug.

John

 

Thanks again!
I have a full HDMI cable. I don't want to buy another one while I have one. So I think it is better to buy Mini HDMI to standard sized HDMI converter, found here.. For the VGA, I think this is fair enough.

I am a bit confused by the S9 ports. Are there two mini HDMI ports? One on the right and the other side? If the right side small port is no HDMI, what is it.

About the adapter. The other thing I want to know is how long is the power chord + adapter is in meters or feet.

 

You need micro, not mini, HDMI. See here for the difference.

Those reviews are positive about the quality. Note that micro HDMI only supports up to 1920 x 1080.

In my case (UK) the mains cable is 3ft / 90cm and the DC cable 6ft / 180cm (or thereabouts). I don't like the heavy 3 core mains cable so I use a 2 core cable + one of these. Then I can travel with a 6 ft mains cable (one never knows how far the power socket is from the desk) without it getting too big and heavy. I don't know if Samsung offer an ungrounded PSU in some countries but the 3-pin socket makes a lump on the side).

John

 

Open the Samsung Easy Software Manager under Samsung in your start menu. This automatically checks and lets you select which updates you want to install, including the bios.

 

While there is the thin lining of rubber, my keys touch the screen. Maybe it gets compressed in my bag or something, bur regardless I have occasionally seen finger oil transferred from my keyboard to the screen.

 

I have seen the same. I think it happens when the computer is squeezed too much in a bag but doesn't normally happen. I try to remember to put a sheet of paper on the keyboard before closing.

John

 

I didn't know about the difference between mini and micro. I would have wasted money! Thanks!

Would you tell me the small port that is found on the right side of S9?

Thanks.

 

That is a Samsung special port for Samsung's pass-through VGA adapter. That should be the best option for a plain VGA output except that it currently costs more than the electronically more complex HDMI - VGA adapter.

John