Samsung Laptops - Roll Back Bios Updates?

You can also extract the files by running the exe on a different machine. Mine extracts on my desktop.

 

I have a 700Z3C, and after much trouble have managed to install Linux Mint and have it boot nicely.

But then I installed the update from Samsung for the bios (P04ABJ, from 25/09/2012). I had delayed that for a few days because I am suspicious of installing something that important without at least a changelog, or some info on how to revert it. (I was hoping to finally get WiDi (Intel Wireless Display) working with my (also Samsung branded) Smart TV). And I was right to be suspicious...

Now my Linux Mint doesn't run, giving several fatal errors related to the bios/acpi, I think something related to the keyboard backlight).

I tried to revert the bios following the steps in this thread, but I get the following errors:

Using WinFlash from an administrative console (taskmgr->run new task -> Create this task with administrative privileges) :

Code:

C:\Users\Miguel\Downloads\__Samsung_Update>WinFlash.exe P02ABJ.cap /v /cs /sd /sv /svs /cvar /bbl

an error message is displayed (after the warning for closing all applications), saying:

(Note: I am running in Win8 Home, with secureboot disabled)

Running SFlash64.exe directly (looking at DebugAppLog.txt in __Samsung_Update, it seems it is what does the real work) gives a different and more serious error:

Code:

C:\Users\Miguel\Downloads\__Samsung_Update>SFlash64 /n /s /sa /ips /exit /file P02ABJ.cap

Samsung-Phoenix SCT Flash for Windows V1.3.25.13-1.1, Build 120820
Copyright (c) 2011-2012 Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

SecureFlash BIOS detected.
Read BIOS image from file.
Initialize Flash module.
Read current BIOS.

WARNING:
Rollback flash is disabled in BIOS, build date time check was not skipped.

ERROR 182 - BIOS image is equal or older than ROM!

So, I am proposed an upgrade, without any kind of information on what it does or why I should do it, to the most basic level of the hardware I bought, and then I find that I am not allowed to revert it!!!

I think I will return this to the vendor...

Anyway, has anyone got this?
If I restore (using the restore partition - no install DVD included ), will the bios be restored also? How do I really restore the machine to factory configuration?

 

If you go back to ITEM_20120806_613_WIN_P00ABJ.exe, the rom is still *.rom format so it should work. Fromt here, upgrade to the version you are need. I don't have time to look into *.cap bios files, so the first bios is best, and should fix your problem. Factory restore will not restore bios.

 

Thanks for your suggestion. I tried that, but the ITEM_20120806_613_WIN_P00ABJ.exe doesn't want to extract... well, it does, but then it says the system is not compatible, and immediately deletes everything. Is there any alternative way of extracting the data from that file?

I am really pissed off with this. I have been using Ubunbtu almost exclusively for about 6 years, and I never had this much trouble installing linux on a machine.

 

Extract on a different computer.

 

Well, no need for a different (Windows) machine: running ITEM_20120806_613_WIN_P00ABJ.exe in compatibility mode (Windows 7) it did extract. But then the flashing of P00ABJ.ROM failed (WinFlash says it is not a valid rom). Could it be that the parameters to use for flashing the ROM are different? Anyway, thank you for your suggestions.

 

Hi all,

Firstly, thanks to the OP for the advice about this!

I've been using a NP-700G7C-S01UK for audio work, which for months has been stable, but recently there have been apparently unpredictable problems with DPC spikes caused by TCPIP.SYS. (DPC spikes won't affect most users, but do interrupt realtime audio performance.)

My suspicion is that BIOS update #8 is the cause.

I'm posting to report success with rolling back to BIOS #7, by runnning "AFUWIN.exe P06AAB.rom" from the command line in the temporary directory created by BIOS #6.

As expected this reverted the BIOS, but not the MICOM, and a further run of the BIOS #7 executable changed both BIOS and MICOM to #7 as intended.

I still need to check if this has actually solved the DPC issue, but thought I'd post to report the successful BIOS rollback on this model of laptop.

Thanks again to the OP for pointing me in the right direction.

 

I have exactly the same problem as you. Did you solve it ?

 

Hello, I own a NP550P5C-S01IN, i tired your method and only got sucessfull till where we have to UNDO the __Samsung_Update folder, I don't have WinFlash.exe option, please help me, I have updated to P07AAA and now its throttling, have to switch back to P05AAA,

please don't give me any info or link about AFUWIN.exe, please tell in your words step by step, help me in downgrading to P05AAA.

 

No I did not find any solution for this. Tried to extract the files on a different computer, but never got that to work either..
So, I'm still interested in a solution.

 

Hi all...My beautiful 14 inch Samsung NP700Z3C-S02UK suffered a disaster. I stupidly updated the BIOS yesterday to version P04ABJ and my superemely quiet laptop transformed into a noisy mess. What a stupid BIOS update!!! This is a warning to all, if you have a quiet Samsung Series 7 think twice before you update to a more "stable" BIOS version.

So currently I am in the same boat as ghaspias. I want to revert back to P03ABJ. I downloaded P00ABJ which has a cap file that give me the same errors. P03ABJ doesn't work because of a security issue and P00ABJ which is an actual ROM file fails half-way through. I REALLY want to get back to the older version of the BIOS.

Do you guys think that if I instlall windows 7 and try to run the P00ABJ BIOS it might work then ( I think the BIOS was made for windows 7 OS ). Hopefully we can figure this one out!

 

Exactly what happened to me! I had a more "stable" bios update that i applied and it made my laptop loud! It was never unstable in the first place. You can read my posts a few pages back if you are interested. I did eventually get my reverted after almost having several heart attacks. lol. I really need to learn to resist the temptation to fix what isn't broken. I'm sorry i can't help you though =/

 

HI
I have a Samsung QX411-W01 one year and a half old.
Few days ago Samsung has released the W8 Drivers and a Bios update for my model.
Actually It has 07HS and the newer its 10HS

I'm running W8 and everything works fine and I would like to update but there is no change log about the update


My most doubt (scary) it's about to run linux live or whatever Live OS after update related to UEFI and Secure Boot also fan loud and cpu extraload related.


Does anybody update this model or another samsung laptop to this Bios?
After your bios update are u able to run other systems from USB/CD?


Thx!

 

I am stuck on step 3. Can you please elaborate on what command need s to be inputted? Do we need to download the winflash program? Thank you.

 

My current BIOS version makes my Series 9 fan unnecessarily loud at cool temps.

 

Who can send to me default BIOS dump from R580 JT01? Not only default. You can send modded files too, but it must work on notebook Send, please to [email protected]

 

Did anyone ever figure out how to force an update (or downgrade) of the MICOM?

I noticed that running the file WinUpV10_ENE.exe in the temporary directory created by the BIOS update provides a GUI for updating the MICOM. However, it then asks for a *.bin file, but there isn't one to be found in the directory.

Looking at the log created by the BIOS updater, I notice that it includes:
"Bios command : afuwinx64 P05AAB.rom /p /b /n /e /r /x"
Does running aufwinx64 with those switches also do the MICOM update?

 

I can now confirm that using those option switches with aufwinx64 DOES flash the MICOM as well as the BIOS, in a single operation.

This is with a 700G7C-S01UK laptop - please take care when trying this with other models.

 

Hi, could you explain where did you find afuwinx64 ? Thanks in advance

 

On my laptop, the BIOS updating program unpacks its files into C:\Users\[my name]\AppData\Local\Temp\__Samsung_Update, and afuwinx64 is in there.

Other models may use a different executable, so I'm afraid I can't help you if afuwinx64 isn't there.

However if you run a BIOS update and have a look for a text log file created in C:\Users\[my name]\AppData\Local\Temp\__Samsung_Update after the update is complete, it may contain a line of text that reveals the switches used.

 

Some new info:

Unfortunately, the link in the first post to the BIOS download site now no longer works:
http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/BUWebServiceProc.asmx/BIOSItemList

Does anyone know what it's changed to (is it possible to monitor the behavior of the BIOS update program to find out which address it contacts)?

 

Great job. I've updated the first post so others with Afuwin may benefit. Hmmm... Samsung's BIOS's list may be down. I've included a list from Nov 2012 in the first post also.

 

I've finally found a solution : extract the .exe with find_gz.exe : Download find_gz.21.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way

 

Thanks a lot, I've found it in a former executable

 

That's super, thanks tvn595!! Your program worked really good and once I had all the files it was no problem to roll back to an older version. Now my laptop is works as it is supposed to again! Thanks!

 

Dear all

Recently I am purchased a samsung laptop model NP530U4B-S02AE and last week I updated bios using samsung updater program. Present version of bios is 12XK. Now problem of my lap is after updating bios my usb drives are not recognized by new bios. previous version was. How to roll back to previous version 11XK bios? anybody can help me? View attachment DebugAppLogBios.txt

 

Edited. I resolved the problem. The solutions are all contained within this thread if you read it ALL carefully.

 

I'm trying to download an earlier BIOS version for my Series 9 and it seems like the file is found but then the site won't let actually get it. Can anyone let me know if they're able to download this file?
http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20120825_636_WIN_P04AAC.exe

Edit: never mind, it works now, the site must have been too busy. Does anyone have a backup of the P05AAC BIOS, or a link to the Samsung site? If you're still on P05AAC, can you let me know if there's a date for it displayed somewhere that might let us figure out the URL?

 

I have a problem with my Samsung NP530U4C.
I installed Windows 8 but with DVD (MSDN), no recovery partition.
All was ok but i don't can select other boot priority in BIOS... only Windows Boot Manager.

Why? Who has, how can i repair this?
I set Secure Boot to Disabled and it's all time... only Windows Boot Manager.
I can't boot from DVD, HDD etc.
Only Windows8 from SSD bootin....

Help me please.

isosunrise can you help me rollback my bios? I have P07ABH now... I try all methods and fail...

 

Who know how can I do it?

 

1. Installing Windows 8 does not affect the BIOS.
2. Disable Fast boot in the BIOS to be able to boot from USB, etc.

 

i have a samsung series 5 np530u3c and im looking for the P12AAJ bios file its not in the first two notepad files, any ideas where i can download it from?

p.s i can only flash from dos, as i am using a bootable windows 8 usb to get into comand prompt, because of

in relation to your first post isosunrise, the P12AAJ file is not in the notepad, is there a way i can download that file to try and reinstall the BIOS?

 

nobody?

 

Hi guys,

I have a Samsung NP700Z7C-S01DE (Germany), unfortunately with the latest BIOS Version P06AAE. Now I have high CPU idle usage and low battery life as well as frame drops when gaming. Now I want to downgrade to verison PA05AAE.

Can somebody please tell me the exact name (ITEM_?????_???_WIN_P05AAE.exe) of the BIOS version PA05AAE?
Since my BIOS is in English, owners of the NP700Z7C-S0?US can also post their version.

Many thanks
Dominik

 

You might be more successful in getting the attention of the Z7C owners if you post in the Z7C thread.

John

 

Done thanks to the uploaded "BIOSItemList (Google Cache Jan 31 2013)" list! Great forum!

 

Done, thanks to the uploaded "BIOSItemList (Google Cache Jan 31 2013)" list! Great forum!

 

hello

I'm trying to follow step #3 but I can't see the *.ROM in the extraction folder..

I'm trying to install ITEM_20130103_931_WIN_P00ACM.exe

Any hint?

 

Yes, you have to use the .cap file, wich is a secured capsule ROM (I understand it the new way for UEFI BIOS). Good luck.
I can't flash this capsule, because time check error. Tell if it works for you.

 

Hi,

I would also like to downgrade my BIOS, but i cant seem to find my file.

Model #: NP700Z5C SO1CA --> (Canada)

My current version is PO5AAG, i would like to go back to P02AAG. but i cant find it, unless i am doing the steps wrong.

Could anyone post a link to this file?

Thanks

 

MY model number is NP780Z5E-S01UB and my BIOS version is P03ABU and is not in the XML file. What do I do?

 

I see ABU in the google list:

ITEM_20130115_945_WIN_P01ABU.exe
ITEM_20130118_950_WIN_P02ABU.exe

Looks like P02 is faulty, so they removed it. Other versions are there, ie.

ITEM_20120419_477_WIN_P01AAG.exe
ITEM_20120809_616_WIN_P03AAG.exe

 

So would I choose P02ABU or P01ABU because they do not have P03ABU on the list?

 

When attempting to flash I get this:

Reading flash ............... done
Secure Flash enabled, recalculate ROM size with si
- FFS checksums ......... ok
Loading capsule to secure memory buffer ... done
18 - Error: Unable to start a Secure Flash session.

Any tips?

 

All I can think of is to try from an Admin account -- if it isn't already. However I am by no means an expert on this.

If nobody here has a solution, I suggest you give Samsung a call. If indeed some of their BIOS files are corrupt or otherwise non-working, they need to know about it.

 

Ran as admin. Did not help. Thanks though. Only response I've gotten thus far.

And samsung will not do anything. I've called and everything.

 

Got it. I meant log in and run it from an actual Administrator account (where Account type is Administrator) not just Run as Administrator from a Standard User account. Occasionally this can make a difference, if the app you "Run as Administrator" spawns another process which needs elevated privileges.

I am not sure what else to suggest.

You're saying you called Samsung and they told you outright they don't care about your problem and refuse to help you? Did they say why they refused to help?

This forum is not affiliated with Samsung; but from the many posts I've read here, my impression is they normally listen and try to help when contacted with a legitimate issue.

 

They said "normal users" don't know what to do with the bios files. So they won't give me them and they aren't available on the downloads site for my product. They said they'd charge me $40 reimaging fee to reflash the bios and I am not willing to pay that.


My account is admin but I still hit run as administrator.

 

Ok, got it. Thank you for that clarification.

 

No problem dude. It has honestly been annoying me so bad. This seemed like the perfect fix but it won't work. It's almost like the bios file isn't signed. UGH I NEED TO FLASH lol