Samsung Chronos Series 7 NP780 Clean Install

Hi, I am new at this forum and i would like to know if there is a possibility to re-install a clean Windows 8 version on my samsung laptop.
I did contact support and they told I would not be able to get samsung drivers or software. I am new at non-mac laptops so I do not know anything about "PC" laptops.
I know how to do a clean install however I am afraid of not finding the drivers of my laptop (NP780), like loosing the touchscreen or the backlit keyboard.

Is there any chance to to a clean install and keep the touchescreen and light at the keybaord?

Thanks a lot.

 

Hi Bloker, welcome to the forum

And congrats on that nice machine you got there.

You can certainly do a clean install. But there are a few complications which didn't exist when installing previous Windows versions, and which you need to consider:

1) You need install media. Samsung doesn't provide a Windows DVD with new PCs anymore, and Win8 is not readily available for download (like Win7, which can be legally downloaded from Digital River). If you have an MSDN/TechNet subscription, you can download ISOs from here. The install media must match the version of Win8 (Pro/non-Pro) that came with your laptop in order to pick up the Product Key in your BIOS. Otherwise you will need a new Product Key.

Please do not ask about or discuss illegal downloads on the forum, it is against our rules.

2) Your PC runs in UEFI mode (as opposed to the good old BIOS mode) on a disk with GPT partition layout (as opposed to the good old MBR layout). GPT allows for bigger disks, more partitions and faster boot times. Doing a clean install, you can either stay in UEFI mode (which is a little more complicated) OR you can switch to BIOS/MBR mode (which is easier, but will lose everything on your disk).

If you to switch to MBR mode, you want to first use your Recovery to create a booatble backup of your Factory Image on a 32GB USB stick.

Either way do I recommend some reading first:

Understanding Disk Partitions
Windows and GPT FAQ

3) If all you want is to clean out bloat from your factory installation, you can use the post linked here as guidance. It's for an older model, but much of it is still the same.

4) OR as a true alternative to clean install, I recommend you just use Windows 8's Refresh feature ( Charms - Settings - Change PC Settings - General). It will essentially give you a clean install, but without all the hassle.

View attachment 96969

5) Regardless of whether you do a clean install or just Refresh, drivers are the easy part with these Samsungs: You just install SW Update (download from here) and let it do the work for you. Many old-schoolers like to download and install drivers manually, but SW Update ensures not only the right drivers for your model, but also that they get installed in the right order. Saves you a lot of rebooting too.

I recommend to bypass SW Update on a few items (see this post). Also, for updated AMD drivers, check the opening post of the Owners Lounge for your model.

Let us know what you decide. If you DO want the clean install, I can find some more links for you.

 

Thanks a lot! The only thing that I am afraid of is to loose the touchscreen.

 

I haven't heard any reports of that being a problem. But again, as long as you preserve your Recovery (or back it up as described above, if you decide to wipe the disk) you can always go back to factory state in just a few mins.