Samsung Q320 : 13.4" 16:9 notebook

..so anyway, I now have a Zalman notebook cooler which is a very nice device and keeps the laptop very cool.

However, the problem has not gone away.

I have narrowed it down to happening while watching embedded video, ie youtube, news, bloomberg, anything where I watch a video item in a webpage. Not when I watch a downloaded tv program though, ie tv torrents via mediaplayer or kmp (I don't watch illegal torrents).

I guess I need to call Samsung about this and see what they say.

 

Flash video as used in youtube, etc, uses the CPU and doesn't offload graphics processing to the GPU which is more efficient at handling such work.

John

 

This is going to sound like weird, but I assure you that I am not trolling, or something like that -

I have now had my Q320, for over six months. I bought it as a temporary solution until I would find my ideal Subnotebook.


The great;

- The Size, footprint and use of space on the machine has been great. It really has been a portable little thing. Not super thin, or super light, but it has been a mobile companion.

- Performance, for the very affordable price of what it has costed, I would say that the performance has been mostly good, shifting to Win 7. Game performance though has been what you could expect of something in the 9300-range.

- Power Brick, and Battery Life have been decent.

- Good number of ports.

- Great, great keyboard. Keyboard has just been awesome on this. Pretty hard and responsive keys. Not to loud. You could do serious typing on this.

-Great Trackpad.


The Okay;

- Intel Processor. It defintely is of the old school. Mine is a T4300 If I am not mistaken!? I know I don't have the 8700!

- Weight

- Ease of Cleaning




The Bad;

- Screen. It's not only the glossy that is the problem, but the viewing angles are quite bad. I don't think the colors where anywhere near as bright and visible as they could have been. Not deep blacks, not powerful colors. Brightness was okay, but without the other things, helping.. it's a shame.

- Sound; The sound was so bad that you couldn't listen to a Youtube Clip or DVD movie. Headphones at all times. Low wolume.

- GPU - I really think, a GPU could have been implanted, considering the thickness. But this machine was before Optimus.







So fellows. A person like me, who has these comments, about the Samsung Q320 after 8-ish months of use... Where would I move on to next?

As I am looking for a Powerful(good gaming and editing performance), but very mobile(13'' and good battery)... The direct contradiction in mobile computing.


My current options are;

- Sony Vaio Z - Insanely expenssive, forced SSD's in Raid with no chance of future upgrade. Is equipped with a downclocked 330m and i5/i7! Is very beautiful, very light, has good battery for the power. Has a fantastic full HD screen.. Way overkill, but increasing everything is a possibility. Driver support is supposed to be bad.

- Acer TimelineX 3820 - i5/i7 processor with 5650, this is a powerhouse 13'' . It would be perfect if not for the lesser quality display, and supposedly, not so good keyboard(floating)! Is quite reasonable priced! No DVD drive(I dont care about that though)!

- Alienware M11x - Powerful 11'' but the footprint is the size of a 13'' and it's very fat, and as heavy as a Q320! The refresh is supposed to go to a i7 processor but still in CULV to save battery, so its a question how powerful it will be. the large bezel makes me think that they should increase the screen to 13'' as they would not need to increase the size of the laptop! The notebook looks absolutely horrible.. as some LED freakshow that just screams im-7-years-old-and-like-blink-lights-in-my-sneakers!



Is there any possible future announcements of other notebooks that

 

There is a new Q series arriving in July.

According to the above link, the Q330 doesn't have dedicated graphics but you can download and peruse the user guide here. (The Q430 and Q530 aren't yet on the Samsung download site).

John

 

is it just me? or other than the metallic chassis that makes the q330 > 320, the rest looks quite bland aesthetics-wise? the loss of the edge to edge display kinda looks like a step back then a step forward.

i was really hoping the new 330 would be a sony z series budget killer.

 

me too.

I don't like the design of the Samsung HDTV's either. they have that ugly stand with the four sharp thingys in metal... looks not good.

i understand they couldnt keep doing the black thing forever, but I dont think this is the right direction...

 

Hi, it's my first post here. My cellphone is Samsung, but I know little about the Samsung laptop. Very glad to find this forum. It's very informative.

 

hey fellow Q320-owners

I'm sorry I haven't uploaded any photo of my laptop crank open, will do that asap.

in the meantime I was seriously considering some upgrade, first reason being, well, upgrading pleasure!
second being improving laptop speed
third being: using the laptop in an air-conditioned environment (library) makes it reach temperature of the hard disk rating 52 C (easily, seldom use and not intensive). Whereas the operating range, according to specs, rates between 5 and 55C!

so, what temperatures do you usually reach?
especially now, that is summer, and my room is not air conditioned, watching a movie at night may become discomfortable due to the heat of the lower surface; and, reasonably enough, CPU is hot-protected, hard disk will just burn itself down with all of the data in it contained!

 

As promised some time ago, here I attach the shots of the inside of the Samsung Q320

Samsung Q320 Anatomy

I did not attach all the shots I made, as these are already too many, but you can get indeed a general overview!

this is the laptop cranked up, seen from above
this is the INTEL AF82801IBM controller, I guess it should be both NB and SB together
A shot of the one of the two tiny and crappy speakers (on the label it reads NJL BA96-03965A 4 Ohm 1.5 W 09 21, may be useful since someone was wondering to substitute them!)
This is a close up of the north west zone, always from above
This is the motherboard, as seen from below
Close up of Cpu heatsink and fan respectively
Ram + VGA heatsink
This is fairly interesting: are some Q320s assembled with a HSDPA module? cos here it looks like there is room for it
Bluetooh module
DVD Label (DVD-unit that I think is very crappy, reads 50% of the CDs and is very very slow to load stuff)
and to end with, a moment of true geekiness, having the laptop powered and still disassmbled like on the surgery table!

Cheers!

 

ok, does even your laptop give you hard times when reading any type of optical media, dvd+r, -3, cd, rw, original, burned, blank or whatever?

it has always been quite picky but lately I can't load a single CD....

 

Hi

Really need some advice on firmware here.... I've been running my Q320 on the stock firmware since I got it in June 2009. I guess the version number is 00LH as the chargeable USB socket has never worked and I get really annoying fan "pulsing" around 80% of the time. I've downloaded the 06LH firmware from the download site but it wont install - just says "Loading driver failed. Restart system" after the files have been extracted.

I've tried installing this from both my Windows 7 64 bit partition and I even created another partition and installed a x86 version of Vista SP2 and tried from there with no luck.

My question is this. Firstly, will 06LH fix the fan and USB problems (as well as being compatible with Windows 7 64 bit) and if so, how on earth am I supposed to install it?

Thanks!

 

Just a thought, perhaps you need to upgrade the BIOS sequentially.

For example, if you were running BIOS version 04LH and the latest version is 06LH, perhaps you need to install version 05LH first before you can install version 06LH.

Upgrading the firmware may resolve your fan pulsing issue but perhaps there is a build up of dust which needs to be removed.

I believe there is a thread on here regarding upgrading the CPU in the Q320 so that should include instructions on how to open the case.

With regards the chargeable USB socket, you need to turn the socket 'on' which is done via the Samsung Chargeable USB application - by default, I believe, it is set to off.

If you don't already have this application installed, check the Samsung website.

 

Thanks for the reply. Not sure if I can do subsequent firmware upgrades as the only one available for download is 06LH...

As for the fan, I'll take a look inside the chassis when i get a chance

Also, I do have the USB application installed, but everytime I try and run it, it just says it's not supported on this system which leads me to believe it's the BIOS that's not supporting it properly (it's switched to enabled in the BIOS, but that seems to make little difference).

 

This isn't a new problem but I can't find a reported solution. One suggestion was to make a backup image of your system using Samsung Recovery Solution then restore the computer's birthday image and try doing the BIOS update. Afterwards restore your new backup image. You could reasonably expect support from Samsung if the BIOS update won't run using their supplied Windows installation.

John

 

If it helps, I have copies of firmware versions 04LH & 05LH which I'm happy to upload somewhere for you - let me know.

You say you are running Win7 - did you buy the laptop with Win7 installed or did it come with Vista.

If it came with Vista and you subsequently upgraded to Win7, did you also update the Samsung apps to the newer versions?

If not, it might be worth updating them, particularly the Chargeable USB one.

 

It did come with a 32 bit version of Vista, probably Home Premium, which lasted all of about 30 mins before I replaced it with the Windows 7 RC. I've since switched to the full release of Windows 7 64 bit and have installed all the bits of samsung software that I found useful like EasyDisplayManager for the FN keys and that works fine, but the firmware update thing doesn't.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm using an MSDN version of Windows 7 rather than a retail copy.... Even then, it should be identical.

I'll give Samsung support a go, but I'm fairly certain i'm clutching at straws with that one

 

I assume he bought it with Vista since he purchased it on June 2009.
I agree with you about the fan. Not that is really noisy, but sometimes the laptop is just idle with just one internet tab open and the fan is always on even if it is cold.
trying to find a way to control the fan (under Ubuntu) but hasn't work out so far.
and i'm wondering as well if switching to a CPU that is colder will solve the problem.

I noticed indeed that when it just uses the battery, the fan is not going, unless the CPU is heavy loaded; therefore it *should* be rather easy to understand which settings is responsible for the fan under battery/AC

btw, what is this thing that the firmware can be updated from windows?
e.g. I'm using Ubuntu, so I can't upload the BIOS of my machine because of the OS im using? shouldn't BIOS updating be decoupled from the OS?

 

Samsung used to offer a .iso BIOS update option (see SamsungPC.com) but that has dropped by the wayside.

John

 

Oh well, my Sammy Q320 blew today. I never managed to cure the 'just switching off in the middle of things' problem and this morning my main fuse in the house blew and I could smell burning. It ended up being the laptop. I can smell burn damage from the back left vent and the laptop is dead.

It did not overheat as I always use it on a laptop cooler now where ever I am in the house.

Very dissapointed as it was a nice laptop/keyboard to use. Now I have one faulty Dell and one broken Samsung.

What next? I need a tough laptop that is going to last me longer than a year and it has to have a proper keyboard like the Q320 not one of those horrible flat key things.

 

Sorry to hear that your Q320 died

Did the power supply blow and fry the motherboard, I think it would take something like that to blow your house fuse.

 

1. If you are lucky then it might be something on the power board when may be separate to the mainboard. However, getting Samsung notebooks apart can be a challenge.

2. Search Dell Outlet / ebay or the resellers of Dell Outlet stock for an E4300 or E4310. They should have a Dell 3 year warranty (get the seller to give you the service tags and you can check the warranty status on the Dell support site). However, you can't have a dedicated GPU.

John

 

Hi Tinderbox, I checked the power supply today and it is dead. I have not checked the fuse and will just chuck it away just in case it is faulty.

Hi John, I will take a look at the Dell E's thanks. I am using my old Dell Precision now but it takes a few attempts to boot with graphics and has a habit of freezing. I think it overheated a couple of times and has damaged something. I don't have much luck with notebooks it seems.

The outlet seems to have changed here in the UK. You used to be able to look through the latest additions to the outlet stock and choose from many different configurations (I presume cancelled orders etc) but no longer it would appear.

It just so happens that my Q320 1 year warranty ran out of the 5th November so that did not work out very well. I ran up Samsung this afternoon and got through to an Indian call centre and explained my problem and then the line went dead lol. I sometimes wonder why I bother reallly.

 

Well I did bother (again) and called Sansung this morning hoping to get through to Ireland and not India. I spoke to Adam (yes you guessed, in India).

He was very helpful and advised me that I am still under warranty and I can arrange collection of the notebook for repair

I will be doing this in the next couple of days once I have removed some personal financial data from the hard drive.

 

So it looks like it was the power supply that killed your Q320 , and Samsung most likely did not make it, Glad you are still getting a free repair

 

The day before it blew it was actually turning itself off while I was attempting to unpack a rar file. So it's all rather strange. This was on top of the long standing issue of it turning off while playing video streams.

Just been window stopping and was looking at the R580 but have now been distracted by the RF510 so will have a read up on that.

 

Did you have an power surge/spike protection on the power adaptor, if not it might be wise to get some.

 

Hi again, no I do not use one of those but will have a look for one now I have a new laptop. I went for the Samsung RF510 in the end and my Q320 went away for it's warranty repair today.

The Dell Precision needs to go back next as I thought I had fixed it but alas it's playing up again...

 

I have a Q320 with a P8700 CPU running Windows 7 and it always freezes when going to sleep when the cover is left open. It does not freeze if the cover is closed; I guess it is not the same type/level of sleeping.

Is there anything that can be done to avoid that annoying freezing when going to sleep mode when leaving the cover up?

 

Is that Vista and hybrid sleep? I would disable it (somewhere in the power plan settings). It might be tripping up when changing between sleep modes.

John

 

It's running Windows 7 John but maybe it's the same problem as with Vista?

 

Could be. So definitely worth disabling. I have always been suspicious of sleep, which has caused a few problems over hte years, and usually go straight to hibernation.

John

 

Hi all,

Well I sent my Q320 away for warranty repair. Just caught it on time as by the end of November it would have expired.

They replaced the motherboard and the hard drive and sent it back to me. All seems to work fine so far.

One thing that does trouble me is that they did not send me back the old hard drive which I am rather annoyed about as I did not expect them to change that. I had taken all personal information from it but with advanced data recovery techniques available these days I would much prefer to get rid of the drive myself. I guess all I can do is hope the company that carries out the repairs does not just leave them in a wheelie bin outside their offices and that they are destroyed properly.

 

Is there a disassembly guide for this laptop?

 

TC3, I'm going to do something most members won't like - but bare with me as this is really a one time thing.
I was searching for how to disable capslock, found your solution, and wanted to thank you, but that thread was closed.

So, THANK YOU!
I would PM/Email you but your contact information is totally empty.

BTW, the thread is here : http://forum.notebookreview.com/compal/106738-caps-lock-off-screen-display.html#post2067770

To MODS/Angry users, Please forgive me for resurrecting a thread for an offtopic comment, but in my opinion it was very important that I show my appreciation for members like TC03.

 

Samsung Series 9 (Model: 900X3A) teardown | TechRepublic

 

or video (pretty comprehensive)

 

I'm only reading this now, but I'm happy to have helped you .

 

I have a problem. I've always believed my Q320 was 802.11n capable, but I'm not sure how to use this functionality. I've recently got a 802.11n router, but it only connects on 54mbit/s (802.11g I presume). Also, the driver properties in device manager don't list anything about 802.11n (although I vaguely remember that they did when I first got my Q320). I have the Atheros AR5007EG wireless adapter (note to self: never get another laptop with an Atheros adapter).

 

The left button on my touchpad is not working very well anymore. I really have to click hard and it does not always work. Clicking from the touchpad itself is still working though.
Can the problem with the left button be fixed? Is it something that can be cleaned?
Can the touchpad be replaced?

 

There might be some dirt in there or it might be wearing out.

The pad is replaceable although it might be as a pad / palmrest unit. Perhaps your best strategy would be to watch out for a part from a dismantled broken Q320.

John

 

Its the Motherboard. When you click your touchpad buttons they move down and press against two different buttons placed on the mainboard. Its usually the left one to go.

Samsung used this design on most of the older models.

 

Are you sure? The notebookcheck photos of the bottom indicate that the HDD is under the touchpad.

John

 

Yes, Im positive.
The HDD is underneath the mainboard. The touchpad buttons on the mainboard are on the other side. So the buttons you press down to click point upwards towards the topcase, the HDD is on the other side ... if that makes sense.

Remember, this is a rather "fat" notebook.
I have one I have to change the DVD on tomorrow, I'll grab some pics

 

Thank you in advance for some photos. I sold my Q35 (my nearest equivalent) some years ago.

John

 

Alright, here are some pics I took today.



Here you can clearly see the left and right touchpad buttons on the motherboard.

Couple more pics uploaded into an album can be seen HERE
I tried to take some pics so you could see where the physical buttons on the top housing meet the ones on the motherboard.
Also a pic underneath where the HDD is. And one underneath the keyboard with the black tape that needs to be removed to uphook the the kbd & tp cables.

 

Thanks. I can't dispute the photographic evidence.

You evidently know how to get these machines apart (and I assume, back together again).

John

 

Oh damned! I guess it's not really fixable...
Thanks for the info and all the pictures.