Samsung 2012 Series 7 Chronos (NP700Z3, NP700Z4 & NP700Z5 series) Owners Lounge

I posted my response here. It really is better if we can keep these two discussions in the same thread, since they are about exactly the same model and issue.

 

Hi, first post on here so hope this is the right place.

I have been having a recurring issue with my Series 7 laptop (NP700z5a-s05uk 15 inch, Quad Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Graphics, 1TB + 8GBSSD) and wondered if anyone had encountered a similar issue, or could think of a solution.

This has been occurring for the last 6 months, with roughly this pattern:
1. Clean install windows 7
2. Install all recommended drivers in SW Update
3. Computer runs fine for approximately 2 weeks.
4. Suddenly, Google Chrome freezes, whole computer becomes unresponsive, requiring manual reboot
5. Chrome becomes unusable - causes whole computer to become unresponsive a couple of seconds after it's opened, even when uninstalled and reinstalled.
6. Use alternative browser (usually Firefox) that works better for a while, then becomes unusable in the same way that chrome does. Also, other programs (Spotify being one) start freezing as well and computer generally seems slower and less responsive...

7. Until I give up and repeat

Things I have tried:
Defragging
Ran Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials full scans, no problems
Ran Memtest86 overnight, 8 passes, no issues
The last few times, I have not installed Express Cache in case that was the issue
I have also tried using windows 8 and have experienced the same problem

Would be grateful for any ideas,
Thanks

 

Hi iain, welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about the issues you're having, that must be frustrating.

I do remember some discussions about Chrome and other browser issues, though mostly related to rendering. The solution (surprisingly) was to uninstall Samsung Support Center. Don't ask me why

Others have reported success by re-installing Chrome (which you already tried) and deleting/re-creating their Chrome user accounts.

Check the following discussions and see if they contain useful solutions (they link to specific posts in larger threads):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/683577-samsung-series-9-windows-8-a-39.html#post9055511
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/683577-samsung-series-9-windows-8-a-23.html#post8951287
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...eres-np700z5c-ivy-bridge-166.html#post8960507

I located them using the following Google search, which you can try to refine: site:notebookreview.com/samsung chrome browser samsung uninstall

Hope some of this helps. Please keep us posted

 

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I've had a look through those discussions - I didn't have Samsung Support Center installed in the first place so I could discount that.
After cleaning my registry, re installing chrome and then wiping the cache everything seems a lot more stable. I guess when I was uninstalling in the past I didn't check the 'Also delete your browsing data' box, so everything remained on my hard drive ready to cause the same issues as soon as I re installed it.

Thanks for your help, I'll post again if anything else comes up.

 

That's great, iain. Thanks for the update. Fingers crossed it'll keep working this time!

 

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'm wondering if anyone here can help me with this.

I dropped my sereis 7 (NP700Z5C-S04SE), but luckily nothing except the HDD broke (had it checked). Of course I was too lazy to ever back up the system, my files etc., so I'm guessing that i have to buy a new HDD as well as Windows 7, or is there anything I can do? Don't care much for the files but would like to save the 70 pounds for windows.
I'll try and do it all myself, so when i do that what do I have to consider? I can probably install the OS and find the drivers, but anything else I need to do after replacing the HDD?
Oh and is there just one HDD or is it two?

I know it's a lot of questions so thanks in advance.

 

Hi 49914747, welcome to the forum. (You'll have to excuse me if I don't remember your username correctly during later discussions )

Sorry to hear about the accident. It happens. Get another HDD and install that. You shouldn't have to buy another Windows 7, as long as you have the Product Key for the Win7 that came with your laptop. It's either on a label under the bottom cover or on the power adapter.

If your laptop came with a DVD labelled Recovery Media that's a pure Windows 7 installation DVD. Otherwise you can legally download ISO files for the various Win7 versions from Digital River, using the link below, then burn that to a blank DVD. Make sure you get the exact version matching the Product Key for your laptop.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO Image Downloads

Use the steps in this installation guide (NOT the ones in the opening post, but the ones in the post I linked).

Don't download drivers from samsung.com, it's not maintained for drivers anymore. Instead, you use SW Update to automatically fetch and install drivers. It's very easy, and it ensures you install the correct drivers for your model -- and in the correct order. It's all in that installation guide, including a link to download SW Update and which drivers to let it install.

You need to download WiFi drivers, though, since they are not included with Win7. Get them from Intel Download Center before you start, and save them on a USB stick or memory card so you have them handy (also covered in the install guide). The latest WiFi driver version (as of today) is 15.8.0 You want a file called Wireless_15.8.0_Ds64.exe.

Let us know how it goes

Edit: BTW, you will find MUCH more discussion of your model in the Owners Lounge thread linked below, including discussion of replacement HDDs and SSDs. The thread is huge, so use the Search Thread feature. IF you choose SSD instead of HDD, make sure you do NOT install the ExpressCache software.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...eries-7-lovers-heres-np700z5c-ivy-bridge.html

Also, the thread linked below contains guidance for disassembling your model:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ies-7-chronos-np700z5a-disassembly-guide.html

 

Thank you very much for the quick reply, it really helps.
Man am I happy not to have to buy windows (on a student budget) and I found said DVD when I turned over my flat
I'll probably order the HDD today and then start as soon as it arrives.
Can I install the wifi driver before all the others? It's not the easiest to get to my router/modem, whichever it is, so I'd prefer to download the drivers over wifi. (NEVER MIND: I read the post you linked where it says install wifi before SW Update)
I'll check out the threads you linked before I ask anything else.

Again, many thanks for your help, I really appreciate that you're taking the time.

 

did anyone find the solution for the sunken track pad???
i may found the reason for it.
https://picasaweb.google.com/101180665836820834485/Series7?authuser=0&feat=directlink
if you look at the picture, you will see 2 or 3 little black sponge things.
on my track pad the black sponge is missing on the left side (if you look for the keyboard, it will be the lower right).
the sponge is resting on to the battery and its holding the track pad in place.
to fix this problem, install this black sponge and problem solved.
i don't know, where to buy this sponge things as i had some laying around (i had to shaved them to the same size)

 

hi again.
So, I just cahnged the HDD, which went well as far as I didn't break anything, but I don't know how to check if is works.
My problem is that I started the laptop, went into BIOS, but can't find "Fast Boot" only "Fast BIOS" and I also can't find "Legacy USB Boot". where exactly do I find those? And by "UEFI" I guess you mean "UEFI Boot support"? I'm referring to the install guide you linked and I just want to be sure instead of messing something up by just trying everything.
Thanks in advance.

 

Good job so far. Better that you are thorough and asking when in doubt, instead of just rushing and making mistakes. Indeed, the BIOS options are little different between the models. And VERY different once you get to the later Win8-delivered models. I should update the guide to reflect that.

Just disable Fast BIOS and UEFI Boot support (the latter should be disabled by default). That should allow you to boot the Win7 setup DVD. Then follow the steps in the guide. Since you are starting from a new disk, there are no existing partitions to consider. Just create a Windows partition of 60GB for format as NTFS (you can go larger if you have many large apps or games) and select that as destination.

If something goes wrong, don't worry, you can just start over. You're working on a new disk and have nothing to lose. When Setup asks for your product ID you can uncheck Activate. It'll give you 30 days to complete activation later, using the System control panel. That way you don't have to activate until you know you have a working installation.

Keep us posted

 

It seems to have worked, windows is running, though it feels a bit slow right now and I'm installing the drivers through SWU.
One question though: the HDD I bought is a sort of hybrid drive with a small SSD in it. Should I still install the express cache?
Thanks

 

Great question. No, don't install ExpressCache with a Momentus XT or similar hybrid drive. The double buffering will probably cause more overhead than benefit. You can delete the partition on the iSSD (the small drive) and create a new NTFS partition and use for whatever you want.

 

Ok then I think I'm good to go when I'm finished with the drivers.
SWU can't find all and some installations are failing (win7critical,intel rapid storage...) but I'll find those myself and figure it out.

So thank you once more for your help.

 

I had that issue since day 1, also hairline crack on multiple keys. I figured it was defective, but not enough to deal with samsung service.
Right now i'm in korea so I brought it in to local samsung service center, they replaced whole panel including keypads and trackpad and gave it back to me in under 3 hours.

wish they had similar service experience in states.

 

Member 4Lph4Num3r1c posted an excellent summary of his experience using Recovery to deploy Win8 onto new SSDs of 9 Samsung ATIV Book 8 units. I took the liberty of moving the post to the Owners Lounge for this model, which is a much more active thread, and where it will benefit more people.

Anyone interested can find the post here.

This thread mostly covers older Series 7 models that do not have their own Owners Lounge threads. Following are Owners Lounge threads for some popular Series 7 models:

2013 models
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...unge-np770z5e-np780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...3e-np740u3e-amd-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte.html

2012 models
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...eries-7-lovers-heres-np700z5c-ivy-bridge.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...00z7c-s01us-laptop-i7-3615qm-650m-review.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...g7c-amd-radeon-hd-7970m-geforce-gtx-675m.html

Other models and common threads
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...icky-list-find-most-popular-threads-here.html

 

I have a samsung NP700Z5B with a i7-2675QM. I had to do a clean win 7 install recently (with the samsung media recovery CD), and I don't know how to enable the turbo boost for it. I checked BIOS and the option just isn't there (the only option related to processor I see is hyperthreading). The turbo boost gadget is pretty useless from what I've heard. Am I missing a necessary driver/how can I check?

The support site with the drivers and such is here:
Support - Notebooks NP700Z5BH | Samsung Laptops

Thanks so much!

 

1. Use Samsung's SW Update program (there's a link on this page) to get the latest drivers and software. Samsung have stopped maintaining the download pages. It should automatically detect your model and operating system. However, to get the latest version of Easy Settings I recommend you find and save the Windows 8 version of the Settings program and get install Easy Settings from the Win 7 folder in that package. Note that the Easy Settings installation does a lot of system configuration.

2. Shouldn't TurboBoost just happen automatically? Use HWiNFO's dynamic CPU speed display to see what the core speeds are doing. First install Easy Settings (see above) to make sure the Samsung power plans are loaded. I believe that TurboBoost needs the maximum processor state to be set to 100% in the power properties. This should be part of the power plan.

John

 

So I did all that you recommended. I'm running HWiNFO64 now and if my clock for cores0-4 go over 2100MHz, does that mean turbo is working?

Thank you so much for the help, really appreciate it.

 

I bought the i7 version from the US on e-bay around 2 months ago as I could not find any in the UK

Overall I am pleased bar these 3 points:

1. little blue light on F12 is on all the time whatever I try to do (not the case when I first got the laptop)

2. many web site videos do not play in IE although I can hear sound (fine in FireFox but other issues)

3. the computer regularly crashes (2 or 3 times pw) whereas my previous 4 year old much cheaper, much less powerful laptop NEVER crashes

any suggestions welcome

btw it was a mistake to buy this via e-bay and from the US because:

1

 

Hi John, welcome to the forum.

If you haven't already done so, the first thing I would do on a laptop bought through eBay, is restore it to factory by using F4 to boot Samsung Recovery. Who knows what might be festering deep in the bowels of that Windows installation.

If Recovery isn't working (because the previous owner wiped the Recovery partitions) you can perform a clean install of Windows 7. If your laptop came with a DVD, just use that; otherwise download an ISO from Digital River and burn a DVD (make sure the version you download matches your Product Key).

Then follow this Win7 install guide.

I am assuming it's a Win7 model since this thread is mostly for older Series 7 (2011 and 2012). But Series 7 has hundreds of models and sub-models. Since fall 2012 they came with Win8. What is your exact model number?

Let us know how it goes.

Oh, about that blue light on F12: If Samsung's software is correctly installed, it shows whether your WiFi is enabled. When pressed with Fn, it will open a window to enable/disable WiFi and Bluetooth radios.

 

Thanks for that.

I believe it is unused - it certainly looked that way and I have now uploaded all my software

but I do regular backups and have installed anti-virus but I take your point

The blue light stays there even when I disable wifi

but a small point compared to the crashing and I can see that your advise may well cure this but I travel a lot and a number of key discs are elsewhere right now

 

Also see what happens to the light on F12 if you turn off WiFi and Bluetooth in Easy Settings.

Note that to get the latest official drivers and software you need to use Samsung's SW Update program and also make sure the BIOS is the latest. I recommend using the stand-alone BIOS Updater as discussed here. SW Update also tries to do it but is more vulnerable to tripping up.

You need to pin down the cause of the crashing. If it is hardware then Samsung provide international warranty coverage on notebooks. The starting date is probably deemed to be the first start-up date as shown on the BIOS info screen (keep tapping F2 at startup to get into the BIOS).

John

 

If it's in new state, your Recovery should be intact. I would definitely do a factory restore in that case (boot F4) before spending any more time (when you get back from travel, of course). If that doesn't handle the crashes, it may explain while the previous owner wanted to sell it. In that case, call Samsung as John said, if it's still within warranty.

And if factory restore DOES solve it, you can just enjoy your new laptop

 

Thanks - I can do the restore without deleting all my programs?

If so will do

 

Unfortunately no, it WILL wipe your programs. It should preserve your data (if you choose the correct Recovery option) but I recommend a backup first, just in case.

In your situation, I would make an image backup to an external disk, then do a full factory restore. It's the only way to find out if you have a correctly working PC or if you need service. Samsung will most likely ask you to do the same if you contact them.

 

Hi Miguel86,
Is there any chance you could upload a copy of srs6 USB Admin Tool flash drive,

Thanks

 

would re-loading the key windows files maybe help? - as I recall this is the lowest level of the recovery process

problem is that if it wipes all my programs that solution is worse than the possible disease

right now I cannot make the laptop into a wifi point - it says it is ON but noting can use it

 

Understood. You still still haven't told us which model you have and whether it's Win7 or Win8. That affects which restore options are available. Common to both versions is the command line SFC /SCANNOW from an Admin Command Prompt. That's worth a try.

 

it is Win7 and an i7 machine - model number stated as NP700Z5A SOBUS

I am not familiar with the admin command prompt but will no doubt find via Google

Thanks for all this help

 

Thanks, that helps.

I am sorry, I should have been more explicit: Find Command Prompt in your Start Menu, right-click, select Run as Administrator. In the command window, type SFC /SCANNOW and hit enter. Drink coffee and read a book, it'll take a while

 

Hi I have a NP700Z5B-S02 model (the one with 6490M I think) and ran into a random problem. My display is not working. As in, the display turns on but is black... I connected it to an external monitor with an HDMI and am able to use it that way. I don't think I installed anything besides perhaps a windows update... Not sure what's going on How can I fix this?? I tried using the display mode hotkey and anything that involves the LCD doesn't work. So frustrating... Thanks for any help, would really appreciate it!

 

Did a systems restore to the previous day when I wasn't having this problem, still no luck. I don't understand, it was working fine earlier this day

 

Sounds to me like a hardware problem, not software. Maybe (hopefully) just the cable connection to the screen that has come loose. Or maybe the alternator.

I don't have experience with this myself (not on Samsungs anyway) but the thread linked below contains steps for opening your model if you want to try and re-seat that cable.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ies-7-chronos-np700z5a-disassembly-guide.html

John is a wizard with these things and may have better advice for you.

 

I would also suspect the cable / connections. LED backlit displays don't use an inverter so that's one less part to cause problems. The one thing to confirm this is to check that there's no visible message on the screen at the initial boot before Windows starts.

Reseating the cable at the connector onto the mainboard is the only thing to try before calling for service.

John

 

Even better performance on the new beta drivers within games. However my old friend brightness has somehow been cut extremely low again, and i cannot find where to undo whatever the beta drivers did. (previously it was just in the "Change PC Settings" within "Charms"). I just want manual control of my brightness AMD, why oh why did new drivers disable this

 

Check all the places mentioned in this post and see if that helps.

Also check this post if you don't have the latest [Easy] Settings 2.0.0.55. It adds an Adaptive Brightness tab that wasn't there in earlier versions.

 

Okay the screen comes on but movements make the screen jostle. I took the bottom cover off and took off and reconnected what I thought was the LCD cable. I didn't take anything off besides the cover. Would the cable of interest have been accessible that way?

 

Okay, so moving the LCD on the hinge makes the screen flicker and go kind of nuts. Is there anything I can do at this point?

 

I think the display cable is the black one in the top right corner of the second photo here. If you correctly identified it and have already reseated the mainboard end of the cable then the problem must be with either the connection in the display (only accessible by removing the glued bezel) or the cable itself where it passes through the hinge. You will need some replacement parts. Probably this plus a new display bezel and, preferably, the service manual.

John

 

Wrong.

For Acronis True Image, if you want to boot in the Acronis Recovery Area, [F11] key.

... Or Esc/Echap key on Samsung PC...

 

I am talking about booting Samsung Recovery after the Recovery Partition has been restored by Acronis. And that key is F4 -- except it won't work after that restore, because Acronis (and other similar tools) fail to re-create the F4 link stored in the partition table. That's what this discussion is about.

Or are you saying that Acronis inserts an F11 link instead of the F4 link when it restores a Recovery Partition? That would be useful information if true.

Yes, it is Esc on older Samsung models (like mine) and F10 on newer models. That's what I meant in the text you quoted.

 

Ok, ok, you're rignt Dannemand.

No no no, sorry.

Thank you mate. I wasn't aware.

On forum.notebookreview, is it possible to send you a mp Dannemand ?

 

Too bad, I hoped for a while

Yes, you can send private messages on NBR. Just click a username to the left of a post, and it will pop up a little menu. Or click Notifications at the top and select Inbox. I prefer having any technical discussions in the thread, though, where it may benefit other members.

 

I have NP700Z5C model laptop and i want to attach 2 external screen that is 1440P(2560x1440) and 1080P for it but i am quite unsure that this laptop can reach those resolutions. I heard that many hdmi output does not support 1440P resolution. I want to use 1440P from HDMI and 1080P from VGA output.

Is there anybody at least who use 1440P external screen with this model ?

 

Hello freshblood, welcome to NBR.

Please see this discussion in the NP700Z5C Owners Lounge. It's best if you ask any follow-up questions there, as you will have a much better chance of response.

 

Hi, I haven't been following these forum for a long time... so is there anything you can update which won't show up in the SW Update?
I already did find out this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-149.html#post9266929
Updating the Intel Rapid Storage Driver and the Intel Management Engine (windows7!!) are working. I'm using Leshcats graphic drivers, so no need for samsung drivers.

If your ExpressCache is working you should also upgrade to the newest version (1.2?)

 

Hi (again) kurtextrem, thank you for sharing your findings.

First of all, which model number do you have? This thread is mostly for the 2011 and 2012 Series 7 models, except the 15.6 inch Z5C, which was incredibly popular and has a separate Owners Lounge here.

The thread you linked is for the 2013 Series 7 / Ativ Book 8 models, which do NOT have ExpressCache, but which instead use IntelliMemory for RAM based disk caching (though many owners chose to uninstall that).

I agree that using the Intel ME driver from Windows Update works fine. Hardly anybody use ME anyway, so you don't need the bloat.

As for Win7 driver sources, I mostly recommend using SW Update, except for a few items, as described in this Win7 install guide.

 

Hi, thanks for your answer(s) mate!
Yes, I'm using the 2011 version.

This new ExpressCache version is from the companys forum (behind ExpressCache).. Maybe it is not the samsung compatible one as I could not install it (Wasn't sure as my ExpressCache isn't doing properly anyways).

Thanks, I did that few things from this guide was a bit complicated as easy settings v2 won't install on this laptop (that's my experience now).. I found that out after deinstalling v1, installing v2, found out v2 not working, could somehow not deinstall v2, so I installed v1 again... now there are both but somehow v1 is working and that's all I want. (derp)

 

Conducive Technologies (formerly Diskeeper) is the company behind ExpressCache, and I don't believe they provide downloads on their website, since this is an OEM product. Otherwise please correct me. If you downloaded it from some other source, there is no telling what you got. COuld be a version for another brand of laptop.

And you're saying Easy Settings V2 didn't work on your model? That surprises me. What is your exact model number? Mine is NP700Z3A (Sandy Bridge) and works with all versions of Easy Settings I have tried. Of course Easy Settings is only for Win7, not for Win8