The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
I will take some time next weekend, quite busy during the week. It's a shame they haven't released a newer BIOS or just let you redo the last update without restriciton, who knows..
In any case, thanks again.
Am i safe to install ubuntu on my np700z5c-s03 ? if so should i install it after windows? in UEFI or Legacy Mode? Will i loose the recovery if i install linux after? Do i have to modify grub?
Google for "site:forum.notebookreview.com/Samsung Linux" and you will find various relevant posts such as
this.
My impression from following the forum is that the bricking issues have largely disappeared. If your Z5C came with Windows 7 and without UEFI enabled then it will be advisible to keep UEFI disabled.
Installing Linux will only affect the Samsung Recovery if the recovery partition is moved. It appears that the BIOS stores a link to the absolute address of the recovery partition.
I have win8 and UEFI i believe.. that post is one year old... i heard that both samsung and ubuntu developers increased compatibility in the meantime..
Has Microsoft put a "Get Windows 10" notification on your computer? This, I presume is an indication that Microsoft think it will work and perhaps has put more effort into ensuring compatibility with Windows 7 machines they they did with Windows 8. I very much doubt that Samsung will create new drivers for machines shipped with Windows 7 or Windows 8.
I may try Windows 10 on one of my 3 year old Windows 9 machines, but only after making a full backup (including a complete image of the SSD) so that I can easily restore the machine to Windows 7 if I find that Windows 10 is a step backwards.
They did create W8 drivers for W7 laptops, but i'm guessing because it was so close after these came out. I do have the Get Windows 10 notifications, but i think almost all stations are getting the notifications. I hope samsung comes through, but who knows. I will take your advice on backing up the whole drive before doing anything. Thanks John.
Samsung seem to provide limited support for one generation of Windows after whatever was supplied. However, Windows 8 (in particular UEFI) created serious backwards compatibility problems. If you try Windows 10 then I recommend that you do not change the UEFI settings on the computer from whatever it was supplied with.
ive installed W10 and everything seems to be right except the express cache ssd. My model is not supported by samsung (Serie7) so no way to install ec version ExpressCache_1.0.94.0_64bit.
Anyway I founded a version compatible with w10 through a Lenovo model but after installing i got this message "Product is not licensed to run on this system".
Then i Google and seems something related to the ec.lmf file.
Could someone post it just to try if it works?
i've installed w7 express cache drivers (v1.0.86.0) and easy settings 2.0.0.30 and express cache doesn't show up in easy settings but it's actually working, although not as great as it on w7. you can verify that it's working by running command prompt as admin, and typing "eccmd.exe -info" and it will show cache read % and other info. if you see read/write percentages that means it is working.
my 700z3a-s03us cold boot is a little faster with expresscache on, although not as fast as it used to be with w7, but when restarting it doesn't utilize expresscache for some reason. either way it is working, kind of.
as i ve said, after installing when i type "eccmd -info" i got that report "product is not licensed to run on this system"
could yoy please send me a file called "ec.lmf"
thx
here you go
http://ppl.ug/8el4QlIbIBc/ do you mind letting me know if you got it working with this file and sharing the lenovo driver you found? thanks
i hated it. W10 in general is slow to boot on any pc i've seen. I had w10 on it for about a month, and it was considerably slower even with the Express Cache working in the background.
Eventually went back to W7, and been really happy with my decision. i have the 700z3a-s03us.
Finding the right graphics drivers for the AMD switchable graphics is a challenge made worse if Windows 10 on the notebook isn't supported by Samsung. You may get some usefulinfo from the
Z5E thread (start at the end). This is a newer model which also has AMD graphics. It is possible that whatever driver combination works on that model will also work on the Z5A. Also, did you try disabling the AMD GPU in Device Manager?
I am quite sure the AMD GPU is dead as it was not working with windows 7 either (after 2,5 years of using) but there I was able to block any GPU updates. In Windows 10 I downloaded the hide updates tool but it is not doing its job. After couple of days the GPU drivers update themselves and I have to restart the computer and delete the AMD GPU leaving only the integrated HD 3000. This is why I am looking for a solution which is deeper like bios or hardware.
Thanks for clarifiying that you think the AMD GPU is dead because it didn't work in Windows 7. I haven't read that this is a common problem but perhaps you are unlucky.
I agree that Windows 10 automatically installing driver updates can be a headache. Perhaps
this can fix the problem. If not, there may be some other possible fixes in
this list.
Hi John, I will need to replace both the palmrest/keyboard as the bottom of my 700z5a chronos and I wonder if the palmrest/keyboard for the 700z5b will also fit? Any experience in this? I have a german keyboard and a plastic palmrest and just want to have US keyboard with the all alu palmrest... Please advise.
You would need to carefully examine any photographs you can find in reviews (eg notebookcheck).
The Z5A shares
the same bottom housing as the Z5B and Z5C so it is possible that the keyboard / palmrest unit is also interchangeable. Unfortunately, it seems that samsungparts.com have sold out of that part so we can't see which models are supported.
Hi! I have a Samsung NP700Z5C-S02UB, this laptop is such a pain to mantain, it had issues with a 850 Evo, but I was able to fix it, the issue that I'm not able to fix, since the last bios update/8.1 Windows update, the backlit keyboard stopped working, the keyboard works, but there's not backlight on the keys,. I installed the Settings app and still It doesn't enable the backlight, Even at max brightness it doesn't work, thanks in advance for your help.
I have a NP700Z5B but I dont know if there is a sequence to install Windows 10 in a right way, could you tell me if all the features will be active or not, thanks!
Make sure you have a recent version of Samsung Settings installed. On your model, you generally want versions 2.0.0.x NOT versions 2.1.x. I use version 2.0.0.89 with Windows 8.1, but there are newer 2.0.0.x versions around.
If you still have Easy Settings installed (from Win7) uninstall it and reboot before installing Settings.
Check the thread linked below for more details, including where to find Settings versions.
Of course there could be other problems with your keyboard backlight, but this is where I would start.
You will find far more (and more recent) discussion of your model in the NP700Z5C Owners thread, linked below. This thread here is mostly for (even) older Series 7 models (NP700ZxA and NP700ZxB).
[solved - see next two posts] Hi all, I've just upgraded my daughter's np700z5a-s01uk to win10. Thanks for all the useful help on the forum, I've managed to get it working ok, including the screen brightness and keyboard backlight etc using the settings software. The machine has a samsung 850 ssd as the primary disk, previously on win7 pretty quick to boot up, however now under win10 the boot sequence goes something like: cyan coloured windows sign, blank (black) screeen for circa 1 minute, then finally some action as windows springs into life.
Update1: further use of the laptop is showing the sleep mechanism is behaving in the same way: upon restoring from sleep, a delay of around 1 minute and then finally windows suddenly springs back into life, successfully restoring the previous session. The power plan settings are at their defaults. Any suggestions appreciated, I may end up having to roll back to win 7 as this is crippling the usability of the machine.
Update2: Thought it might be express cache related, however I've since reinstalled the EC software and followed advice on a separate thread here, using the command line facility to prove the 8gb partition is alive and kicking. This hasn't helped, alas. So I've zoned in on the boot sequence in an attempt to see where it's stalling. If anyone could comment on the attached boot log I'd appreciate it...
Update3: Disabling the ATI graphics card results in a boot time of less than 10 seconds...where do I go next?!
Update4: Having isolated the problem to the graphics card, it seems that the default graphics drivers installed through the win10 install process have caused the problem. Removing these and using the manufacturer drivers - in particular the ATI package - seemed to solve the issue. Boot up time is 10 secs, sleep and resume now working properly.
Update5: Steam client crashes and will not start. If I install the Intel HD3000 drivers after the AMD ones, the bootup delay comes back, but steam loads up ok. If I then install the AMD driver again, the bootup is really quick, but steam crashes! Yak!
Update6: See post below and my response. Final problem solved!
Many thanks
Nige
[Multiple edits/updates in order to not spam the forum]
just follow these steps to speed up boot
1) Download the install AMD Radeon Windows 10 drivers (non-whql-64bit-nieg-radeon-crimson-16.2.1-win10-win8.1-win7-feb27).
2) After installing rebooting, go to regedit. In regedit, go to the Find option in the Edit Menu.
3) Search for EnableULPS. Double click on it and change the value from 1 to 0.
4) Exit regedit and restart your PC.
5) Your boot and sleep times should be much, much better."
Thanks for this, very much appreciated. I had tried the crimson drivers but had concluded they did not solve the problem - I wasn't aware of the regedit mod, however! As things turned out, I ended up installing the following drivers, courtesy of leshcat:
http://leshcatlabs.net/2015/06/24/leshcats-catalyst-15-6-beta-1-unifl/
I can confirm that these drivers work properly, and retain the abilty to switch between GPUs. Steam works fine. Happily, the boot and sleep problem are also resolved. I presume that these drivers implement the same fix that you have suggested. Given my daughter is back to Uni on Monday, I'm going to play it safe and not mess with her machine anymore. Anyhow, her Samsung is now booting up in 10 secs, running Win10 just fine, and using both GPUs - she's really happy, and I'm relieved! Full backup image taken!!
Thank you all for the time you spent to share your experiences.
As you help me to get rid out of the innacceptable
boot time sequence of W10 after W7 migration, I'll take some time telling you my experience, if that could help some one else more.
My machine is a Samsung Chronos serie 7,
NP700ZAH.
I'm using it quite all long & all days since middle of 2012 (I'd say as average : about 3-4 hours a day... wich is quite intense!).
This machine is really working fine and performing good since the beginning (mostly used for quite heavy office files works, 3D CAD , some games like CIV4 or HOMM3, the best of all time game, as everybody knows. .. So not so a big deal with the CPU or RAM usage ; CAD use or CIV4 are playing a bit more with the CGU).
The keyboard wich was looking a bit weak at the beginning (bending sensation when tapping) is really and still working very good and silently response.
I've changed the HDD to a SSD two years ago (so I don't have to deal with some of the flash memory boot problems with W10 as I disable it at that time) , and also replaced the dual fan system last month (due to a fan shaft/journal wear inducing noisy vibrations.... so I've got a spear fan (the one that was still working fine, ref KSB06105HA BA31-00117A) that may be at your disposition... for about 35€ (without post costs)...
What about NP700ZAH W10 vs W7 first impression performances :
. Boot time is very long, about 2min, as it usually takes only about 20s.
. Very good surprise : my light sensor for screen automatic adjusting light intensity (should also work for keyboard) is working back ! I apreciate it a lot ! (i was not happy with this function at the begining, felt disturbing, not really usefull as I needed to re-ajust the automatic balance manually. One day I disable it, and never been able to get it back... Now, I'll be upset to lost it again !
. Fn keys aren't working anymore : not a so big deal since all parameters are quickly accessible throught some other ways. (I agree, mouse or touchpad 'right clicks' and menu selections are heavier than keyboard shortcut access ... but it stays acceptable... The only thing I dinn't tested yet is the keyboard back light (manual or auto) ajustment : light is working, but I didn't try yet to test it in a very dark room)
. Touchpad is also working not so bad. .. The only thing I hardly manage to be accomoded with, is the required time it needs to free a selected object before cliking again (I double-click for holding a selection area without the need to get stick on the pad, but it needs a time laps before to understand that a new click (a new touch) is supposed to free the selected object... I'm not sure you will understand in details what I'm thinking of, ..it is difficult to understand an explain 'how to do' with a touch pad that have so many functions.. Touchpad is functionnal.. habits to be adjusted..
I guess the re-installing of a samsung driver/program from W8 or W8.1 could be a solution. .. but it is in fact working fine..
. I did not install any samsung program after the W10 migration, and all looks to be fine (except boot time). And the less programms I add, the best it is !!
. I did not see any lost of battery life potential with W10 migration (but perhaps about minus 10%). The last battery calibration I've done is about 1 year. If the "easy settings" or "setting" program from Samsung allowED a quick and efficient setting parameters, it does not prevent you for adujsting them manually (it is a bit less easy to do, and some efficient parameters could be forgotten.. but my message is : you don't need to get "settings" programs from Samsung. An example is the "plane mode" wich is helping a lot to saving battery life.
As I'm writting it , I've got 4h30 estimated of use left, with wi-fi and bluethooth intensive working , under shining sun (so hard screen light) ... I've mainly adjusted the CPU and CGU maximum allowed load in by the Windows parameters. By simply clicking "air plane mode" (W10 paramter), the time left rise to 5h30.
... The Setting programm works(screen color..., what else ... ??? ah yes, the key board shortcuts...) , but not for all the parameters your were used to. You generally can test versions 2.0.0.x version, NOT the 2.1.x ones. I successfully tested version 2.0.0.30 (W8), but could be that there are newer 2.0.0.x versions around.
IMPORTANT : the samsung system of battery life saver (keeping its load at 80% max) is still working. (on my machine)
About the BOOT time laps , the most important subject I had with this W10 from W7 migration :
. Just have to
install the 9.002.0.0000 AMD driver over the one that has been installed trought the W10 migration.
You can get the drivers from Samsung driver database , by search about Np700z5a
WINDOWS 8 drivers.
Installing this over the one W10 has will get you rid of this too long 1 minute boot time.
You can also access to this driver by using the SoftwareUpdate and selecting the NP700z5ah Windows 8 (and not W7) drivers filter.
..I decided to test this "W8 AMD graphic driver" after some time looking out throught the net about 'how to, boot time, samsung W10 migration, chronos NP700Z, etc.' key words, and, by having some of this forum posts in mind, seen that my boot time problem was linked with the windows SMSS procedure (75s as reported by the "Performance Analyzer Power Transition Performance Testing Utility" from Windows Performance Tool Kit, & that this SMSS was very sensitive to graphics deals...
Humm.. well.... the keyboard back light does not work....
I'm using my last configuration for some days, but did not saw that before this evening...
The version of Samsung "settings" programs I could test does not allow to set this issue.
I've just installed a new SSD and everything is working weel with the exception of my Wifi seems really unstable. I don't loose connection but the speed sometimes drops to a crawl. I think I had the same issue last time I re-installed but I've been through my posts on here and I can't see that I've mentioned it before.
Thought it was probably a driver thing, but the latest driver on the samsung page has the same version number.
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/NP700Z5A-S01UK Wireless LAN,BROADCOM (Driver) ver.5.100.82.95 - Windows 7(32bit,64bit) (MULTI LANGUAGE, 46.03 MB
06-Aug-2012
@randy_baton: It could be messed up or outdated WiFi drivers, but more likely it's the WiFi Power profile settings or WiFi Adapter settings keeping the adapter at low power.
Check our WiFi Remedies Thread, linked below. Its opening post has specifics on tweaking these settings.
Got it. Yes, you are right, those tweaks are all for Intel adapters. I should have paid better attention to your original post where you mentioned Broadcom. I had a NP700Z3A with Broadcom at first, and returned it because WiFi was too weak. The one I got instead has Intel 6235, which has been a lot better -- though still not nearly as strong as my older HP laptop with Intel 5200.
I found the drivers on my old c drive. However I've narrowed it down to a firewall issue. My wifi connection was solid, but it was just taking ages for pages to load fully
When I installed my new SSD and rebuilt my laptop I switched virus protection from Avast to Aviva. Aviva seems to be using windows firewall so I'm finding it a little odd that theres an issue. When I turn off the firewall it all seems fine.
Perhaps I'll go back to Avast and see if has the same issues.
can someone send me the drivers for the broadcom bluetooth? my model is a NP700Z5A-S02. Right now i´ve installed BCM 12.0.0.8041 but it loose conection. The chipset is Broadcom BCM2070 Bluetooth 3.0 + HS USB Device and i´m running Windows 10
Good to know that this works! I just tried it successfully myself, but with Lenovo's version 1.3.110 on Windows 7. Why, you ask, would I need this on Windows 7? Well, I've been suffering from not being able to safely remove external USB drives for the longest time due to a bug in ExpressCache 1.0.94.0. I discovered this by trial and error, and eventually confirmed it based on a readme file of ExpressCache build 100 (possibly version 1.0.100.0) that I found online, in which they stated that they'd fixed this issue -- but since Samsung didn't release this, I never knew how to work around the license issue to install an updated copy from elsewhere.
So, I resorted to always stopping the ExpressCache service before being able to safely remove external drives, which was a PITA. I actually created batch files on the desktop to automate this a bit, but it was still very annoying!
Today when I read this, I actually already had a copy of Lenovo's version 1.3.110 from back when I'd looked into this, which, according to its readme still supports Windows 7, and I've tested it and it works and fixes the problem.
I wonder, though, if 1.3.118 will also work properly on Windows 7? The readme only explicitly says Windows 10.
I have here with me an old 700z4a with overheating and graphic problems. I have to make this laptop stable and usable again.
I'm on Windows 7 with latest BIOS 15FD and latest drivers from Samsung site and Samsung Update software.
1. CPU and GPU temps are around 65C while idle and 90-95C while gaming, if the game is too heavy, temps go even higher.
This is very concerning because I just reapplied IC Diamond paste. I also noticed the fan appears to never reach 100%, even on temps as high as that. Is there some way to set the fan to 100% or to change the fan speed table on this laptop?
I'm also considering to reapply "again" the IC Diamond.
2. The graphic problem appears randomly when using graphics cards, the screen just goes black, it completely freezes and the fan speed go to MAX (that's when I noticed the fan speed weren't at 100% while gaming). When this happens I have to force shutdown holding the power button.
3. Also randomly and normally after #2 has happened, the laptop doesn't boot to Windows, it freezes on Starting Windows screen. After some force shutdown tries it boots again as if nothing has happened. Very weird.
I'm guessing its these broken drivers. I'm currently using Samsung 8.951.9.3000 graphic drivers.
Which is the best stable drivers for this laptop?
Do you overclock the video card? The problem if you do is the GPU or memory may not be able to take the overclock and is locking up. The GPUand/or memory speed if overclocked may not reset to factory defaults until a poer down or hard reset and this then may cause the reboot issue.
hi guys,
need to replace a key (top plastic) on my NP700Z5.
How do i do it best without damaging the click mechanism?
Is there a guide somewhere and which keys of other models are compatible so i can search for one on ebay?
Cheers
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
