Following is a Samsung FAQ with links, which I gathered back in the heydays of this Samsung forum, and used to answer questions. I just came across it now and decided to post it in its entirety, for reference and posterity.
I hope it can help owners of older Samsung laptops find solutions. It mostly relates to models from 2011-2014 and to Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. Much of it is still relevant to Windows 10, though.
I am leaving it as a sticky, and unlocked for now. But I am not able to elaborate (much) on any of the topics or the linked posts. Neither do I plan to update or expand it. It's just too long ago, and I no longer remember most of these topics in any detail.
CLEAN INSTALL OF WINDOWS
Samsung How to get and use SW Update
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/howtoguide/N0000497/10043/118635/Y/
New Win8 UEFI install guide on blank disk
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte-94.html#post9568418
New Win7 install guide (all models - contains Win8 notes)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...windows-7-8-via-usb-np700z-4.html#post9191509
Overview: UEFI/GPT/FAT32 vs BIOS/MBR/NTFS & useful links
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...l-announced-jan-6-2014-a-106.html#post9862447
Clean install Win8.1 guidance and gotchas (FAT32 not NTFS)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-46.html#post9613123
Create FAT32 (not NTFS) Windows UEFI install USB
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/746708-fast-boot-uefi-bricked-my-system.html#post9583744
How to install Windows 8.1 clean with your Windows 8 Upgrade Key (NBR Win forum)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...ows-8-1-clean-your-windows-8-upgrade-key.html
Clean install Win8.1 using Win8 product Key (eightforums.com)
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html
Old Win7 install guide (Lantencies thread)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-latencies-samsung-laptops-6.html#post8985846
Hanime’s guide to install on models with ExpressCache (posts #1-2)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...l-windows-7-8-via-usb-np700z.html#post8960112
Leave 100MB MSR alone to avoid ExpressCache setup/boot problem
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...chronos-laptops-expresscache.html#post9011773
Quick Win8 clean install overview (BIOS/MBR mode)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ies-7-chronos-np700z5a-s04us.html#post9154488
Win8 Drivers to install
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-132.html#post9255035
Pulling Win8 license key from BIOS
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...samsung-all-one-ativ-one-7-a.html#post9563176
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-when-it/d4c5c0c1-825d-47f2-9bed-d9625c7e68ff
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-166.html#post9280306
Samsung Win8 compatibility and upgrade page
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/win8upgrade/
Dannemand Win8 installation checklist
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte-69.html#post9329692
Win8 UEFI clean install guide (eightfourms.com)
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html
GETTING WINDOWS INSTALL MEDIA
Getting Win8/8.1 ISO from Microsoft
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-520.html#post9834340
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
Getting Win7 install media (Digital River)
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...oad-site/66a8439b-0d16-4b70-92f7-1c8486a46ebf
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/695911-help-system-image-np700z5c-s01ub-4.html#post9159671
Getting Win8/8.1 ISO (eightforums.com)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-520.html#post9834340
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html
UEFI/GPT & getting Win8 install media
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...y-bridge-np900x3e-np900x3f-3.html#post9323404
UEFI & GPT PARTITIONS
Standard partitions on UEFI/GPT Win8 models
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-105.html#post9222917
Overview of difference between good old Win7/BIOS/MBR and Win8/UEFI/GPT
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...very-problem-windows-8-1-a-3.html#post9491486
Overview of SecureBoot, UEFI, GPT, cloning Win8 or downgrading to Win7
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...indows-7-8-via-usb-np700z-12.html#post9416838
Considerations before downgrading Win8 to Win7
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-28.html#post9568986
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte-73.html#post9346644
Microsoft SecureBoot article
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824987.aspx
Microsoft UEFI/GPT articles
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd799232(v=WS.10).aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463525.aspx
Microsoft Win8 MBR or GPT style
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn336946.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh825112.aspx
Create FAT32 (not NTFS) Windows UEFI install USB
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/746708-fast-boot-uefi-bricked-my-system.html#post9583744
Microsoft creating Win8 UEFI install USB (FAT32 not NTFS)
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Fo...for-uefi-samsung-slate?forum=samsungpcgeneral
CLONING HDD TO SSD WITH SRS6
Four different options to install on new SSD
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-422.html#post9581054
2013 S7 / AB8 guide to cloning with SRS6
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-270.html#post9384103
New S7 Ultra USB backup + leave Recovery Software on disk
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte-78.html#post9359116
Two options: Disk Copy or bootable USB backup
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/673502-anyone-here-have-np550p7c-17-a-19.html#post9307817
Disk Copy a viable alternative to USB backup
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-86.html#post9206080
Disk Copy a viable alternative to USB backup (cont’d)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-87.html#post9206735
RECOVERY: RESTORING TO FACTORY CONDITION
Why 3rd party partition backups don’t work and what to do
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-11.html#post9549113
General answers about SRS6 Recovery, backup and repair
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-366.html#post9497083
USB stick must be removable, not HDD – plus Recovery overview
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...y-bootable-factory-image-usb-flash-thumb.html
Store wouldn’t believe about SanDisk drives, got a Sony
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-158.html#post9272532
USB bootable factory image backup wouldn’t create partitions - SRS6 Admin Tool fixed it
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...y-problems-factory-image-usb.html#post9664851
Things to try if F4 is lost and no USB backup
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-272.html#post9385095
BEFORE switching new PC to CSM (non-UEFI) mode
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte-73.html#post9346644
Overview of Recovery backup/restore info and explanation SRS5 & 6
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...red-recovery-partition-samsung-notebooks.html
Importance of two Factory Image backups before wiping disk
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-hd-8570m-optional-4g-lte-78.html#post9359116
Why imaging tools destroy F4
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-60.html#post9190186
Samsung Recovery Solution 6 – page 11 in manual
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201303/20130328093014562/Win8_Manual_eng.pdf
Adding Recovery to Windows Boot Menu
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...00z5-series-owners-lounge-89.html#post9156546
Booting Recovery from external disk
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/718205-testing-all-you-windows-8-geeks.html#post9194692
SRS5 / USB Admin Tool Backup and Recovery
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...00z5-series-owners-lounge-73.html#post8907246
SRS6 / USB Admin Tool – create and use
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-windows-8-system-recovery-2.html#post9616150
SRS6 / USB Admin Tool guidance to re-create Recovery on disk
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...indows-7-8-via-usb-np700z-13.html#post9450991
Manually create bootable factory image backup
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...actory-image-usb-flash-thumb.html#post9421601
SRS6 / USB Admin Tool to re-create Recovery on disk (Miguel86)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...00z5-series-owners-lounge-89.html#post9156138
File & folder contents backup of Recovery
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...00z5-series-owners-lounge-88.html#post9155057
Clonezilla preserved F4
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...hird-party-msata-upgrades-43.html#post9260853
Alternative F4 fix on Sammynetbook (SRS5 & 6)
http://www.sammynetbook.com/forum/t...ition-Recovery?p=105963&viewfull=1#post105963
Change Recovery partition to NTFS and back
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/715273-samsung-recovery-partition.html#post9156891
SAMSUNG.COM SUPPORT SITE
Samsung How to get and use SW Uupdate
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/howtoguide/N0000497/10043/118635/Y/
Samsung.com Q&A (different topics and links)
http://answers.us.samsung.com/answe...sung-np780z5e-questions-answers/questions.htm
Samsung.com Recovery (index)
http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber/popup/iframe/pop_troubleshooting_fr.jsp?idx=415669
Samsung.com Recovery (create a Factory Image Backup)
http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber/popup/iframe/pop_troubleshooting_fr.jsp?idx=415758&modelname=NP780Z5E&modelcode=&session_id=Sh2MTDy6JgvqJfypgTSQsr9QpbK7Rq7V0dk4MpWRkxXHnr9DLw9n!-448311982!-793972431!1377465996799&from_osc=
Samsung.com how to downgrade to Win7 (loses Recovery, setting UEFI)
http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber...shooting_fr.jsp?idx=415842&modelname=NP780Z5E
BLOATWARE
2013 Bloat removal
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-163.html#post9275545
Series 9 space cleanup
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-219.html#post9324466
Original Dannemand bloatware post
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...eres-np700z5c-ivy-bridge-113.html#post8830468
REDUCING LATENCIES
Original thread on reducing latencies
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/688064-how-reduce-latencies-samsung-laptops.html
Fully disabling Samsung Fast Boot Boot Optimization (sean.e & mmortal03)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-latencies-samsung-laptops-8.html#post9020409
Pranktank latencies & .NET & C++ discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-80.html#post9199450
Steps to diagnose extreme slowness (John)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/739951-770z-turned-into-dog.html#post9487522
WIFI ISSUES
New WiFi remedies thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/727499-wifi-remedies-samsung-laptops.html
General WiFi issues fixes
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-71.html#post9194622
Roll back to built-in Win driver
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-119.html#post9235431
Intel WiFi driver download link
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=23065
BLUETOOTH
Toggling in Win8 vs Win7
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-221.html#post9345756
SEPARATE WINDOWS AND DATA PARTITION
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-7-install-series-9-900x3d-2.html#post9209472
WIN8 FAST STARTUP
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-90.html#post9209282
Disabling Fast Startup or Advanced Startup to catch F2
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...eres-np700z5c-ivy-bridge-261.html#post9317559
Description of Fast this and Rapid That features
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/716489-fast-start-technology-how-works.html#post9171229
ASYMETRICAL DUAL-CHANNEL MEMORY CONFIG
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-90.html#post9208695
TOUCHPAD
No Reverse scrolling in Elan driver 11.7.19.9
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-trackpad-discussion-only-39.html#post9708444
Summary of Touchpad relevant threads and posts for NP700Z5C
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...board-mouse-same-time-gaming.html#post9656458
ETDAniConf
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-owner-s-lounge-np940x3g-130.html#post9707573
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-trackpad-discussion-only-26.html#post9127678
Damouk’s intermittent touchpad freeze fix
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-241.html#post9346256
Don’t live with a (semi)defective touchpad
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-owner-s-lounge-np940x3g-106.html#post9632414
isosunrise’s erratic touchpad fix
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-owner-s-lounge-np940x3g-152.html#post9758076
POWER SETTINGS / BATTERY
Calibration and battery maintenance
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...es-7-chronos-amd-hd8870m-543.html#post9189073
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-222.html#post9346326
Samsung power management explained
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-464.html#post9638123
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...us-owners-lounge-np940x3g-47.html#post9463637
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-58.html#post9188768
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...p780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-58.html#post9189099
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/706300-samsung-easy-settings-bug-feature.html#post9059207
Dannemand’s Power Profile settings
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...latencies-samsung-laptops-10.html#post9060674
John’s Silent Mode Rite of Passage
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/672365-15-series-9-np900x4d-discussion-42.html#post9596471
Thoughts on Silent Mode thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/714633-thoughts-samsung-silent-mode.html
Windows battery & sleep reports
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ll-announced-jan-6-2014-a-41.html#post9656978
EXPRESSCACHE
Finding latest 1.0.98 of EC
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ache-back-edition.638788/page-43#post-9835583
Procedure re-install EC & Easy Settings
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...expresscache-back-edition-10.html#post8803477
ExpressCache in Win 8.1
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...msung-has-updated-drivers-45.html#post9483561
ExpressCache in Win 10
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...eries-5-ultrabook.787662/page-2#post-10197194
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...che-back-edition.638788/page-45#post-10072521
What to do with retired iSSD
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...thread-series-5-ultrabook-18.html#post9704980
SWITCHABLE GRAPHICS
NP700Z5A/Z3A Win8.1 AMD switchable graphics
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...windows-8-1-ati-graphics-card-not-usable.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...msung-has-updated-drivers-45.html#post9483550
How to see if AMD used and how to switch
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-graphics-card-help-needed-2.html#post9214718
New HWiNFO wakes up dormant GPUs with default settings
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-graphics-card-help-needed-5.html#post9618570
Difference between AMD 6xxx PowerExpress AMD 7/8xxx Enduro switching (spincel)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...amsung-has-updated-drivers-8.html#post9414018
ADAPTIVE BRIGHTNESS
Adaptive Brightness rite of passage
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-60.html#post9655606
Four places to disable & Settings 2.0.0.49 (w/Settings screenshot)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/683577-samsung-series-9-windows-8-a-62.html#post9270479
FIVE places to disable in Win8 after Settings 2.0.0.49
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...e-nuts-unable-disable-help-9.html#post9234691
Windows 7 Sensor Settings Control Panel
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-214.html#post9298318
Lost UEFI settings after BIOS/MBR conversion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-208.html#post9267034
Trying to ENABLE adaptive brightness
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-206.html#post9264227
SCREEN FLICKER
Disable Panel Self Refresh in Intel Control Panel
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...us-owners-lounge-np940x3g-12.html#post9398686
Display Power Saving Technology on/off
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-32.html#post9576878
SETTINGS
Settings/Easy Settings - what you need to know
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/settings-easy-settings-what-you-need-to-know.729139/
Settings 2.0.x required for BLE and EC – where to find 2.0.0.72
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-492.html#post9708743
2.x vs 2.3.x - what to do after re-installing/updating Settings
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-58.html#post9646390
GETTING EASY SETTINGS 2.X
[Easy] Settings – what you need to know thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/729139-settings-easy-settings-what-you-need-know.html
Getting Easy Settings 2.0.0.55
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-149.html#post9266929
Getting Easy Settings 2.0.0.63
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ettings-what-you-need-know-5.html#post9553646
HARDWARE PROCEDURES
Series 7 disassembly
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ies-7-chronos-np700z5a-disassembly-guide.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...nos-np700z5a-disassembled-parts-analysis.html
Series 9 disassembly (oled Service Manual)
http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/?p=14074
Optical Bay caddy
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/626915-hard-drive-caddy-series-7-a.html
BIOS Updating
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/698094-samsung-bios-update-problems.html
Roll back BIOS updates
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/696197-samsung-laptops-roll-back-bios-updates.html
BIOS finder utility
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ps-roll-back-bios-updates-16.html#post9564978
BIOS Recovery (unverified)
https://www.bios-mods.com/bios-recovery/phoenix-bios-recovery/
Does replacing HDD/SSD or adding RAM void the warranty?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-269.html#post9381735
EXTERNAL MONITORS / HDMI
NP930X5J 2560x1600@60Hz without custom resolution
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ll-announced-jan-6-2014-a-62.html#post9683453
AB9+ 3840x2160@30Hz (kitejumping)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...tiv-book-9-plus-np940x3g-106.html#post9366219
Max two simuotaneous caused by Intel limitation / 2560x1440 through DisplayPort
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/722171-series-7-770-z7e-video-questions.html
http://www.techspot.com/review/523-ivy-bridge-intel-core-i7-3770k/page2.html
Getting 2560x1440@40Hz through micro-HDMI
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...us-owners-lounge-np940x3g-71.html#post9543902
Getting 2560x1440@57Hz through micro-HDMI (Linux)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-236.html#post9561960
Extend vs Duplicate on external monitor
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/711882-series-7-np700z5a-s01uk-dell-u2412m-monitor.html
Intel.com Custom Resolution guide
http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/cs-029478.htm
BRICKING
Unbrick when F-keys don't work at boot, cannot enter BIOS (Fitztorious)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...00z5c-s03ca-my-last-hope.762595/#post-9793018
UEFI bricking thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/706510-samsung-laptops-bricked-using-uefi.html
Clearing UEFI NVRAM
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-fix-uefi-samsung-notebook-3.html#post9311558
BIOS / CMOS reset after semi-bricking
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...g-series-9-13-3-np900x3b-237.html#post9661073
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...z-soon-enters-battery-mode-3.html#post9598024
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu-235.html#post9525754
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/736126-ativ-book-6-will-not-power.html#post9431493
ASSYMETRIC DUAL CHANNEL RAM
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/624900-t420-hd3000-ram-speed.html
CSRSS & HIGH CPU USAGE (Shinji_U and damouk)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-204.html#post9312039
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-231.html#post9334514
BIOS USB Wake-up enable
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...rmance-issues-np880z5e-x01ub.html#post9333136
Fix USB3 drivers
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-243.html#post9348720
IMAGE RETENTION (damouk)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...780z5e-np870z5e-np880z5e-225.html#post9331056
HIGH-DPI ISSUES
Win8.1 and high-DPI
http://www.howtogeek.com/175664/how...ll-on-high-dpi-displays-and-fix-blurry-fonts/
Chrome settings
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ide...wners-information-thread-109.html#post9718013
LINUX
Getting Fn-keys and power management working in Linux (oled)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...k-9-not-lite-plus-haswell-58.html#post9646237
Samsung forum FAQ
Discussion in 'Samsung' started by Dannemand, Oct 18, 2021.