Samsung 9 Series laptop (ZX310 / 900X3A) unveiled

Don't know if this page will help if the problem is BIOS related, but this is a discussion of using GParted for a secure erase on an SSD.

Use GParted to secure erase SSD - GSKILL TECH FORUM

 

Since I have been through 3 laptops with the Intel 6230, can you suggest a better internal wifi adapter? Would love to find one!

 

How about the 6300- 450MBps ?

 

I believe his point is that changing the internal card isn't going to solve the fundamental problem (as many people have testified in this thread).

I suppose you could put in the 6300, drill a hole in the back of the chassis, and tape the extra antenna to the back of the screen...might impact the elegance a bit, though.

 

Has anyone found a replacement AC adapter for the 9 series? All the units I've come across seem to state a 3x5.5mm plug which isn't right.

Dave

 

An interesting picture in HK Airport... Check out total bars compared to reception:

 

First of all great thread

Have a question. Reinstalled my Series 9 laptop (with a clean install, not from the Samsung recovery) and cant get the close-lid-goto-deep-sleep function to work again It just goes to the std windows goto sleep thing.

Any1 know howto fix?

In advance, thank you !

 

*Solved*

Strange. Now it worked again The only thing I did was deactivating and activating the "Fast Start" feature in the Samsung Control center.

 

So there's no trouble with just doing a fresh install of Windows? No lost functionality (after the software is downloaded from Samsung's site, of course)?

I would love to see a clean install guide for this machine.

 

I had no special issues with doing a clean install. The only thing one should do is to keep a copy of the network drivers - they did not work with a fresh install of Win 7 Pro (maybe they`ll work with a fresh install of win7 pro with SP1)

Once its up and running one can download the requried files from Samsungs website one at a time, or download the recovery program and install all the drivers from there (found out this after doing it manually one at a time)

What I actually used the longest time on was making an old USB pen bootable The official MS apps for doing it didnt work on my USB stick (old one) but I made one by using this guide:

How To make Bootable USB

Worked as a charm

The only reason I did this clean install was because the explorer.exe kept on crashing for no reason. There is very little bloatware on the Series 9 out of the box - but the explorer crash was annoying so a clean install was imminent for me

Short howto:

Make bootable USB pen (need 4gig size)
How To make Bootable USB

Remember to download the drivers for LAN and WLAN and have them rdy on for example the flash drive.

Change boot order in the BIOS.

Install

 

Exciting. Thanks for the post. Mine should arrive at my door any minute now... I can't wait to start tweaking it!


















....... and maybe return it because of weak wifi.

 

I`m not returning mine Just bought a dlink "nano size" wlan stick for backup. But so far the built in wlan has preformed well enough the places I`ve tried it (been to some hotels etc) . Not max speed at my home network, but since I`m transferring large files between pc and media servers I`m using wired LAN here anyways.

All in all I love this computer

 

If I remember correctly, people have been told that upgrading the memory does not void the warranty. But I came across this on Samsung's US site, which clearly states that on the Series 9 it does, and implies that any opening of the computer will void the warranty.

Notebook : Can I Upgrade The Memory (RAM) On My Notebook?

Upgrading the memory does not void the manufacturer's warranty. However, if your computer requires service and the problem is caused by the upgraded memory, Samsung is only responsible for ensuring that the computer meets factory specifications for the components that were bundled and sold with the unit. Samsung is not responsible for the upgraded memory or problems caused by the upgraded memory.

Important: Upgrading the memory on the X360 or 9 Series Laptops voids the warranty, because you must open the notebook to access the memory.

Link: http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa...=1&PROD_SUB_ID=1352&PROD_ID=1354&AT_ID=151054

 

Number 3 returned and thanks all for the help here! For my needs, a laptop has to be able to serve as a mobile unit outside the home and an external would be just a bit frustrating.

Good luck all and this is a stunning system...just wish the wifi weren't the issue here.

 

Can't really say that I blame you. Whatcha gonna get instead?

 

Thanks, although not terribly surprising. I have actually been surprised that some thought that replacing the memory wouldn't void the warranty.

 

Truthfully, I am going to hold out to see if they find some way around this. I am curious if the same is present in the 11.6 inch version as well. I can't believe that I will succeed right now in my 4th exchange of the same laptop.

I spoke with Samsung Service once again today and they state that they have received word that the antennas cannot be relocated. I had suggested relocation into the plastic bar at the base of the monitor It seems now that it is a waiting game that will succeed or fail on the number of complaints/returns that occur with the system.

We shall see I guess....

 

The wifi is just too abysmal. Mine will be back in the mail tomorrow.

 

My third one was constructed in April 2011, and I consider it as a good enough one. The wifi speed (16Mbps) in the same condition is twice of my 2nd one, and about 10 times better than my first one. I will keep it, even though it's still in grace period and somewhere else is selling it for $150 cheaper. The failure rate is just too high for me that I don't want to risk for several hundreds.

I will take it out this weekend and try watching youtube videos. If there's no delay in 720p at office and no delay watching 480p at our gym, then I will update the system and keep it. I also have an external cisco wifi adapter I bought a long time ago for $15. It's tiny and actually not a big deal to carry it if I travel. Most of the time if I travel I use tethering and computers always have good wifi reception because they are always within a short range.

But to be honest, if the X1 is as light as the Sammy, even it's uglier, I'd buy that one immediately. But it's not. Same disappointment to Sony (not ultraportable at all), Apple (underperformed, bad Windows support) and Asus (too late, only available in 11", looks ugly and still heavy).

 

Mine was also April 2011, but the wifi would only get ~2mbps where my other computer (4 year old VAIO) would get the maximum allowed by my ISP.

 

Asus will have a 13" UX31. I'm sure the weight will be in the right territory, but I doubt the screen will be anywhere near the Samsung, and the metal keyboard leaves me cold. And who knows what the wifi performance will be like.

My wifi seems adequate, so I'm keeping it - my critical use is always near a router, and I use ethernet whenever possible anyway.

I'm still thinking of upgrading the card (and RAM). I reread the warranty that comes with the computer, and there is nothing stating it is void if you open the computer, only that damage caused by 'reconfiguration changes' or the use of non-Samsung parts is excluded. I don't see how they could enforce a policy only stated on a web page FAQ.

 

New bios update 05HL just updated it dunno what it fix but I'm getting 5 bar on wifi from 4 bar (but speed cap is same since its only G 54Mbps). Have to go home to try out on my N router.

 

Anyone seen a changelog for the new firmware?

 

Anybody else with wifi issues apply this firmware?

 

I can't even see where to get the new firmware. It doesn't show up in my Samsung Update app.

 

Another smooth and straight forward update...
Go here: Samsung
Select "Firmware", download and run the only available utility.
Good luck!

 

Ah. I had previously ignored that one because it was dated to January and my computer was manufactured in April. I figured they would have shipped it with the latest software.

Either way, wifi is still abysmal (even after the update). I really, really like this computer. But that wifi is absolutely a deal-breaker.

 

Agree! No negative impact on my upgraded laptop. My WEI graphics score went up but no wireless improvement observed.

 

I actually called their Tier 2 tech support or whatever it's called. They told me that I can change RAM, wifi adapter, HD and the laptop will still be in warranty,
except for the parts you've replaced. He even tried to teach me over the phone how to open the back and replace the wifi adapter.

 

Same here: Samsung web site chat with rep, tier 2 support, executive support and finally Samsung service center - all four sources confirmed that RAM upgrade with opening a laptop would not void the warranty.

 

I just spoke with tier 2 support about the wifi issue. The technician told me that a fix was in the works, but with no timeframe.

I got my touchpad working beautifully. I tweaked some sensitivity settings, adjusted the two-finger scroll settings, and most importantly, I assigned "corner click" to the same as a primary click. So no more accidental right-clicks; I use two fingers for that.

 

That's awesome news. This is the first I've heard of them even acknowledging the issue. Did he happen to mention if it was a hardware or software fix in the works?

 

Well the guy with whom I spoke didn't seem to know much at all, and didn't seem to understand that the case was the (likely) cause of the issue. In fact, his lack of information lead me to believe that the response really meant, "we've gotten a few calls about this."

Either way, even a minute level of acknowledgement is encouraging. I just hope Samsung takes this seriously... even if it means a recall and warranty repair. Surely, more users than just we tech-savvy have called and complained.

 

While uninstalling the bloatware that came with this laptop, I uninstalled Samsung's Easy Display Manager without realizing that it will remove the ability to use hotkeys to adjust screen brightness, keyboard backlight etc.

So I installed it again by downloading it from the official link from Samsung website. I installed Version 1.0.1.8 for Windows 7 available on Samsung dowload resources for this laptop ( http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/NP900X3A-A03US). Now on opening the Control Center by using FN+F1 key, I get to see all the options except the "Silent Mode" option that used to be placed 2nd on the list. Could anyone tell me what to do in order to see this option again. I tried installing Easy SpeedUp Manager (ver 2.1.1.1) for Windows 7 thinking that it may help, but that does not add the silent mode option to the list. On your installed programs list, could you please share the version numbers for Easy Display Manger and Easy SpeedUp Manager. Do you see both of them installed and are their version numbers 1.0.1.8 & 2.1.1.1 respectively?

There are releases of the above software that are more recent than the above ones but they are valid only for Window XP. On trying to install them on Windows 7 the software does not behave properly so I un-installed the XP versions of the above software. The only ones I have are the Window 7 versions released on Jan 28, 2011.

So my question is How to bring up the "Silent Mode" option in the Control Center (the dialog that is brought up by pressing the FN+F1 key)?. I had the option before but lost it after uninstalling and then installing Samsung Easy Display Manager.

Thanks.

 

Reporting in for anyone interested in installing Fedora 15 on their Series 9.

I've been consistently getting around 6 hours of battery life @ around 30% brightness.

Here's a screenshot of what powertop reports right now @ 30%. Screenshot was taken at 96% battery life if anyone was wondering.

 

Can't help you solve your problem but I have the following programs and versions installed on Win 7 x64 (as per Windows Uninstall Programs screen):
Easy Display Manager 3.2
Easy Network Manager 4.4.7
Easy SpeedUp Manager 2.1.1.2

So it looks the versions on the Samsung website are out of date.

 

I hope that they don't say that replacing it with the Broadcom with the Intel Centrino 6230 is the solution. I've done that, and while my wifi may be slightly better, it is still far worse than my Dell E6400 or my iPhone 4. In fact, I'm in a hotel right now and having to use the network dongle because I couldn't get a reliable/strong enough signal.

 

Thanks, I'd already ordered 4GB and the 6300, so I was a bit concerned.

I don't know what Samsung is like with their other computers, but they sure seem confused about this one.

 

Agreed, I hope it's a real solution like moving/extending antennas, or some sort of software update(if that would even help).

Have you tested actual throughput/range on 5ghz yet? Just curious if that would help streaming things around my house. Almost impossible as it is now.

 

Thanks for your version numbers. They are more recent than the ones available on the Samsung page. I need to wait for the newer version of Display Manager to show up on the Samsung page. Installing that will hopefully add the option of Silent Mode. In the meantime, I may do a fresh install of the OS to remove all the unnecessary system files/registries I may have created while trying to fix the Silent Mode hoopla. That way I will also get a chance to remove the Recovery partition occupying 20GB. Writing this makes me think that trying the Recovery (using F4 at startup) may bring the laptop to original state? I will try that as well before doing a fresh OS install.

Another quick question. I can hear (slightly) my fan to be always on after 5 minutes of light usage - text rendering pages on IE and reading pdf documents on adobe. Are you able to notice the fan to be on as well. Samsung has beautifully designed the laptop in a way that noise is low to the person sitting in front but I can slightly still hear it while I am in the library or at a silent place. Do you guys also notice the fan almost always on (though not easily audible) while using this laptop?

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't delete the Recovery partition until you've backed it up. Using the Recovery option should restore the machine to the original state, and if you're at all concerned about fan noise it's well worth having the silent mode. Alternatively, you might try calling support.

My fan can get pretty loud when it ramps up, but usually I have to focus on it to hear it. Silent mode switches it off.

 

Have you tried to run Samsung Update Plus? In theory it should update all of your Samsung software. Another option is Canadian Samsung web site - it has some new software available compared to US version. In case of glitches, use French instead of English.

You can easily remove it in 30 sec. http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...op-zx310-900x3a-unveiled-115.html#post7520698 I don't see a point of fresh install of the OS on a new computer unless you are installing a different OS - Samsung preinstalled software is marginal.

How did it go? I removed my recovery partition right away in favor of additional 20Gb and didn't have a chance to try that.

That's where you can use a Silent mode, which you are missing in Control center, but is always available through BIOS - Fan Silent Mode. It does absolutely the same.

 

Use search! http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...op-zx310-900x3a-unveiled-107.html#post7513320

 

A curiostiy i have a few laptop wifi antennas lying around when i bought a wifi card awhile back and see if anyone has tape the wifi antenna to other areas of the laptop bottom and gotten better reception?

 

Another thing samsung could do is come up with a alternative bottom plate ?

 

Good news. I got it working. Samsung Recovery came to my rescue. On using recovery via F4 at startup (it can be also be used while the OS is running if Samsung Recovery Solution software is installed), there is a System Software Icon that helps in installing the list of drivers and Samsung software that came with the new laptop. I simply used the installation from there and bingo things work as usual. Silent Mode works flawlessly now.

Samsung should update the softwares on their website or direct users to use Recovery for now. They should also fix the Samsung Update Plus software to include the Microsoft Patches that are required with that Samsung software. Till now it has provided me the updates for drivers only (e.g. Touchpad) but not for any Microsoft patches that are required for the Samsung software. Recovery provides a way to do that. I also think Samsung Update Plus is buggy for determining the newer version of Samsung software as it did not help me to find a newer version of Samsung Display Manager.

My current usage make 3 Samsung softwares a keep for me:
1 - Easy Display Manager
2 - Samsung Recovery Solution
3 - Samsung Easy Update Plus
& Microsoft Patches that are installed by the Recovery Solution

All others are bloats for my type of usage. Someone else may have a different list depending on their usage. Another point to note is that for now install any Samsung software using the Samsung Recovery Solution tool. Its help can be found on the following link: SAMSUNG. Look at the bottom on "Performing A System Software Installation".

As mentioned before by the person who helped me, do not remove the Recovery data unless you have backed it up. Recovery is the only way to bring your laptop to the original state. I have now postponed a fresh install of OS to a future date (may be when Windows 8 arrive ) and will make sure not to format the Recovery (or back it up) before I do that.

Thanks guys.

 

What do you mean by that? Has Microsoft released any special patches to fix the problems with Samsung software?

 

I wrote it incorrectly. Sorry for the confusion. I meant Windows 7 common patches and not Microsoft patches. These are the patches provided by Samsung and they call it Windows 7 patches. To have a better idea look at the dialog box at the bottom of this page: SAMSUNG.

They are also available on the Samsung Download page ( http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/NP900X3A-A03US) with the name of MS Hotfix Common and MS Hotfix Critical Updates. My guess is these are similar to the ones named "Windows y common patch" in recovery.

 

IMHO, it's not a solution. The wireless waves should have a path to go when the laptop is stationed on the surface, not while someone holding it in a hand in the air and moving the bottom plate.

 

Why do you think those patches could not be installed via regular Microsoft Update? Can you check what exactly installed by this hotfix package?