Series 5 ultrabook won't boot after installing windows to SSD

I received my Series 5 Ultrabook 13" 1 week ago and today received the Samsung 830 128Gb SSD I ordered separately.

After installing Windows 7 from an USB disk to the SSD, upon the first reboot the laptop freezes at the startup screen (where it says "Samsung", if I'm fast enough I can access the BIOS, but not so after waiting for a few seconds, then the laptop just doesn't respond at all). I tried to reinstall windows, but the same thing happened.

Does anyone know what I could do?

 

I'm not in front of my Series 5, but look to see if there is an option to disable express cache in the BIOS and see if it will successfully boot...

 

there is no option that I can see to disable express cache in the bios. I think the boot files get written to the express cache, somebody was saying to format the express cache to Mac format so that Windows cannot write to it. You can also use an external DVD drive and you won't get that problem

 

This issue has been stated in other topics. The reason Windows cannot boot are the boot files were written down to the iSSD or there is something on the iSSD that prevent Windows to boot. In order to resolve this, you need to delete, not just format, 2 disks: the iSSD and HDD or SSD. Then using the solution on "How to get the EC back" to install Windows again. Another thing is that using DVD to install Windows is better than USB. I just recently ordered an SSD so I will test if it would happen to me.

Also, if someone plan to use SSD, the iSSD could be left alone because SSD is enough. However, you could use iSSD to cache or pagefile.

 

Solution: Always use DVD to install Windows 7 for all computers with iSSD.

 

Any advice to use the iSSD when we already have SSD?

 

Thanks for the answers so far.

Unfortunately I do not have an external dvd drive and do not feel like buying one unless absolutely necessary.

Deleting the Express Cache partitions and reinstalling didn't work, the installer still puts 100mb or so on the Express Cache, despite that I chose the SSD to install Windows to. I did not find a solution to my problem in the "I Want My ExpressCache Back!" thread.

How can I do this without windows installed? I can only format to NTFS/FAT32 using the command prompt I think?

 

I booted Porteus (a small Linux distribution) from USB and formatted the Express Cache to the standard Linux file system. Now returning to the Windows Installer, it shows

Disk 0 Partion 1: System Reserved, Total Size: 14.9Gb, Free Space: 86.0 Mb, Type: Primary
Disk 1 Unallocated Space, Total Size: 119.2Gb, Free Space: 119.2Gb

However, when I now select Disk 1 and click next I get the error "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information."

 

It has already been proven that USB installation does not work with the Samsung Series 5. Do your self a favour, get an external drive, because you are wasting time trying things others have had tried and failed.

 

Okay, I bought a DVD drive and got it to work indeed Thanks!

 

Could anyone tell me how to get into the BIOS on Series 5 13 inch? I tried F2(Setup) but it leads me to the boot menu (something like select windows 7 as boot OS)

 

It's F2 with me, but there's only a short time-frame in which it works. I start hammering the F2 key right after powering on my laptop.

 

It works for me now. Thanks for the hint. I start hitting F2 before the screen is on.

Were you able to enable hibernation on your Series 5? It seems not working for me and no additional choices can be found in BIOS.

I posted the problem here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/655709-series-5-13-inch-qn-bios-hibernation.html

By the way, when you use external DVD to install the system, does the DVD have to be a particular model/brand or generic ones work?

Also the SSD does not show up in BIOS. BIOS only has the Hitachi hard drive, I am a bit curious where is the SSD installed..

You took out the old HDD and installed a SSD right? (BTW, are you using the 13 inch model or 14inch?)

Your experience is interesting to me since I may need to do the same thing in the future.

 

When I just reinstalled Windows 7 hibernation was enabled by default. I turned it off because I do not intend to use it and it eats up valuable SSD space. AFAIK hibernation is controlled by windows, not by the BIOS.

I bought a Samsung, but I assume generic ones will do. It came with a dual USB connector and I had to use both to give it enough power, so that's something to keep in mind (I have no prior experience with external DVD drives, so I don't know how standard this is; I placed the Hitachi in an external casing and it works on just one USB port).

It's soldered to the mainbord and can't be controlled from the BIOS. After installing my SSD I formatted it from within windows though, and it's now just 15Gb of additional storage.

Yes, and I put the Hitachi in a casing so that it's now an external HD. I have the 13" model.

 

If your only way of getting into the bios is holding f2 before or right at the time when you press the power button, you've got the Fastboot enabled. If you disable it, you gain a few seconds when it shows down at the bottom left of the screen something like, 'press f2 to enter setup.'

 

Thanks very much! Your information is quite useful for me!

Just want to get a bit more idea about reinstalling windows 7. My understanding is, you got a external DVD and completely format the 128 G SSD drive and the 16G iSSD, treat them as two brand-new hard disks, then install win7 from DVD, right? And you also formatted the iSSD to be Linux format so that the motherboard won't boot from it. Then after your win7 is successfully installed, you format the iSSD again so that you can use under windows, right?

The hard drive is located near the memory right? I attempted to open up the lid for memory/HDD, I removed the screw (only one screw there) then tried to detach the lid from the back shell, it is a bit hard, I did not drag it too hard since I don't want to broke my brand-new laptop...

 

I don't have windows on my Series 5 anymore, just Linux and I did it just through USB. The filesystem format you use doesn't have anything to do with abiltiy to boot or not. Linux will use ext, Windows will use ntfs but both will boot unquestionably. The issue is, the BIOS will NOT boot from the iSSD no matter what you do. Your choices are only either to boot from the hdd (shows as Hitachi in BIOS) or external media & network.

You must be sure the bootloader is installed onto the Hitachi, then (for Linux, at least) the entire remainder of the operating system can be fit onto the iSSD. I don't see any reason why that can't apply to Windows either but I've not done it myself.

The hdd is the big rectangle with the circle in the middle of it on the left side of the panel when you open it up. And yes, the bottom panel isn't too easy to remove, just pry from the center working outward, one tab at a time. No need to remove anything other than the bottom panel with the 1 screw. Also, when you remove the hdd, be VERY careful about the ribbon which connects it to the motherboard. I will be easy to crinkle. The ribbon will actually pull out of its little connector socket on the mobo just below the fan, but that's good cause then you won't damage it disconnecting the hdd. The ribbon slides back in somewhat easily. Good luck.

 

You don't need to actively format the SSD, you can just install Windows on it and the installer will format for you.

You don't need to do anything with the iSSD before you install Windows. I tried some things (e.g. Linux formatting) to make USB installing work out, which failed in the end. If you install from DVD you can just leave it alone. If you want to use it in Windows you have to format it to NTFS using disk management after you installed Windows.

 

Did you had any issues in installing Linux on your Series 5? Apparently mine I stopped being able to boot from USB on mine (either usb key or CD), despite changing boot order.

I installed Ubuntu on SSD with GRUB2 on the HDD, and now I have a laptop that I can't boot from USB with a damaged GRUB2, which makes it kinda useless.

 

Hi, I have exactly the same problem. Was trying to install from a bootable USB (which I know realise was a lost cause and the root of all my current problems).

I'm in the process of getting hold of an external dvd drive to install form. However right now I can't seem to boot from the usb at all, and I have a nasty suspicion that it won't boot from an external drive either in that case.

Have you figured out any way of fixing this or have I just destroyed a brand new laptop after voiding it's warranty?!

Really appreciate any help anyone can give me to salvage this!

 

This happened to me as well. What solved the problem for me was to set the "Fast BIOS Mode" to "Disable" within the BIOS, and making sure to boot from one of the non-USB3.0 ports.

You can change it back later to "Enabled" to speed up boot time.

 

Hi guys!

I just acquired the samsung series 5 np530 13" and this thread is exactly what i was looking for.

I have a usb stick with a linux on it (made with unetbootin) but I can't boot on it (whereas i can on other normal computer)

by the way, with some searches, i found this site that lists a list of samsung ultrabook tested with ubuntu.

it seems that this one works perfectly with ubuntu 11.10:

let's try this...

but i have some doubts about the boot on the USB key.. the screen freezes with samsung logo and i can't do anything :/

 

Are you using a USB 3.0 port (blue tab)? If so, try a USB 2.0 port.

John

 

Hi John, thanks for your reply

No, i'm using USB 2.0. Each one makes the laptop freeze at startup and can't boot :/ Just trying yesterday night with Ubuntu 11.10 which was supposed to work but the same problem seems persist

Also, i disabled "fast bios mode" in the bios, put the hdd just before the last in boot order (network is the last).

maybe the simplest is to work on the hdd with external hdd adaptator

but in this case i couldn't install root on the SSD :/

some people success so why we others could not?

any ideas?

also check this link seems that there is only the serie 9?? Impossible!

Maybe i should call Samsung support but i don't think they will help me more

 

Hi guys,
Any news on this post? I'm having the same problem with a samsung np530u3b a01 (13.3 inches, no optical drive). I tried to install ubuntu 12.04 using a bootable usb drive, the installation proceeds but the computer is unable to start. It just freezes with the samsung logo... and now I cannot even boot from the usb drive!

Did anyone manage to install ubuntu alongside with Windows? This would be a partial solution but better than having to stick to windows...

Thanks for your help. I will keep posting if I have any news!
ldin

 

For Windows Users, and i'm sure something similar can be done if a Linux Install fails (just get a live CD of the distro of your flavor...), I would like to share my experience on this one. Had been reading on this one figuring out if there was a easy patch, but no.

So I also made a USB Recovery disk for the Series 5 Ultra, as it's quite a joke that the ultrabook comes with a DVD, but doesn't have a DVD player.

Anyway, I ran in to the same issue: boot partition is written to iSSD.
What I did was:

- During installation of Windows, create a 100MB partition on Disk 0 (your primary drive) and then assign all the rest of the available space to your normal partition to which you will install windows. Finish the Windows Installation, when it reboots you will get that bloody black screen...
- Download Linux Puppy, use unetbootin to create a bootable USB disk.
- Boot Linux Puppy (just ram on the F10 button if it fails to boot from it at once and you keep being stuck at the iSSD black screen)
- Format, if you had not done so yet, the 100MB partition. (As NTFS)
- Mount all partitions (sda1, sda2, sdb1. sdb is the iSSD)
- Copy everything from sdb1, or 2 (depending on your config, it's the one containing a boot folder), to sda1 or 2, the one which will be empty.
- Open up gparted, and set these flags on the sda boot partition (the 100MB one): BOOT,HIDDEN
- Remove the BOOT flag from the sdb boot partition, for good measure: just format that entire thing.

Reboot. Remove the USB stick. Profit! It will boot from your hard drive now
And the best thing is, doing it this way keeps your ExpressCache functional once you tell Samsung to load it up again.

Note: In the windows installer you will see: DISK0, DISK 1, DISK 1. Although it depends on your partitioning, but if you just put a new SSD drive in: this will be how it is. I removed both DISK1 partitions and combined them in to 1, that's why I only have a single "sdb1", instead of "sdb1" and "sdb2". I highly recommend doing this as the OEM crap is not usable anyway...
Note2: If you don't know how to get in to gparted; just click "setup" on the desktop, select "drive" and click "gparted". You can format partitions there as well...
Note3: Just like with the windows installer, this possibly will !NOT! work if you have the "Fast BIOS" mode enabled... Disable it if you can't get Puppy to boot...


I made a video tutorial explaining these steps described above, will upload it sometime later.

 

I installed XP x64 in the iSSD with GRUB4DOS. See this post for info: http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/657512-samsung-series-5-unable-boot-usb-2.html#post8716664

Also a working solution for re-installation of Windows 7 has been posted elsewhere: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ll-windows-7-express-cache-2.html#post8663289

 

Can't even begin to explain how hard I've been trying to figure out how to make this happen straight from the Win7 installer, but absolutely no luck.

I am assuming it isn't like this when going from the Samsung media, but I have spent an equal amount of time trying to find my external DVD drive as I have trying to figure this out.

Huge kudos for your help! A couple of notes from my experience:

-I used Ubuntu Live CD (on USB) instead of Puppy -- just so people know, any distro of Linux with GParted is all you need.

-If you forget to make a partition for the "System Reserved" partition on sda, you can resize your main installation by shaving off 100mb in GParted.

-Once you do this, to clarify, you need not copy any files. You can copy and paste the sdb1 partition via GParted. You need to have at least 100mb free on sda before doing this.

-Remember the flags -- this would include removing any boot flags from sdb as well.

I just threw a 128gb SSD in, and have been trying to use a copy of Win7 Ultimate -- NOT the Samsung media. Samsung recovery apparently handles partitioning, and Samsung does not support 3rd party partitioning software. I would guess this whole run around is why.

To the poster following you, I tried that method to no avail.

 

Hi guys,
I wanted to update on how I managed to install ubuntu 12.04 in my new samsung np 530 (13.3 inch, no optical drive).
First, disable fast boot from bios as someone mentioned before.
Then when customizing the partitions it is possible to put /boot and / in the SSD as long you put the bootloader in the normal hard drive. Otherwise, the system tries to boot from the 500Gb unit and doesn't find the OS.
Cheers!

 

Well,

I had a similar issue and resolved my problem. I want to share it with you guys, so let's go:

-- Machine: Samsung Series 5 NP530U3B (HDD 500GB, iSSD 16GB - all original - no customizations)
-- My problem: I totally formatted the disks and wants to install Windows 8 from scratch. I bought a new Win8 Pro but my actual system is Linux (removed the OEM Win 7). I do not have external CD/DVD drive. It's well know that the iSSD drive (the 16GB one) can't be used to boot system.

-- Solution:
1) Boot from a Linux LiveUSB. Enter on GPARTED.
2) Your HDD disk should be /dev/sda and your iSDD disk should be /dev/sdb.
3) Keep the view on sda. Create your system drive partition (not the System Reserved one, the Windows one). I used 100GB (102400 MB). Select 351MB preceding the partition. Select NTFS type. Confirm changes.
4) Your /dev/sda should be like this:

< -- 351M unused space -->< -- 100G NTFS --><-- UNUSED SPACE -->

5) Reboot your system and boot withe the Windows 8 USB installer.
6) Install Windows 8 normally selecting the 100G partition.. The installer will create a 350MB System Reserved partition on iSSD drive. Dont worry for now.
7) When the installation finishes, and the system reboot, boot again with Linux LiveUSB.
8) Run GPARTED again, select the /dev/sdb disk, copy the 350M partition, and paste on the /dev/sda 351M unused space. Save changes. Mark boot flag on the new partition.
9) Change the view to /dev/sdb. Remove the original "System Reserved" partition. Click on 'device' menu > create partition table > confirm it. Create a ext4 partition on the entire 16G disk, just in case. Close and reboot now with the Windows 8 USB installer.
10) Select your language/keyboard and hit next. Press SHIFT+F10 to get into the cmd.
11) Run diskpart.
12) See the list of volumes: list volume. Keep the number of the "System Reserved" partition. I'll use 0 as example.
13) Select the "System Reserved" partition: select volume 0
14) Make active: active. Exit: exit
15) run: bootsect /nt60 C: /mbr (assuming your "System Reserved" partition is "C:".
16) run: bcdboot c:\Windows /s c:.
17) Remove your USB disk and reboot. Your Series 5 should be booting Windows 8 now

Now you are inside Windows 8. You can create the DATA partition with the rest of the 500G disk, reinstall samsung apps to get Express Cache, whatever you want.

If you have any questions about my step-by-step tutorial, please reply.

:thumbsup:

 

Thank you for your guide,

I would like to ask if it is possible to use this method with a brand new SSD? I'm thinking about buying a 60 GB SSD and replace it with Hitachi HDD than install Windows 8 on it. My main concern is about Win7 installatio. As I heard while installing Win8, it looks for a Windows 7 installation on drive even if its a clean install. So will I be able to install Windows7 on a brand new SSD? What problems might I encounter durin process?

 

You can also use an external DVD drive and you won't get that problem

 

Hi.

Before install Win8, I was using Linux (LMDE) - completely remote Win7. I dunno about the laptop "looking for a Win7 installation". The unique problem with this machine (Series 5 ultrabook) afaik is that it doesn't boot from iSSD drive. Even with Linux, the grub should be installed on /dev/sda (although the system can all be installed on 16G drive - /dev/sdb).

So what you need to do is:

1) Run Win8 installation normally. The wizard will install System Reserved (350M) on iSSD drive and the files on the HDD drive. Since it doesn't boot, you should do a workaround...
2) Run LiveUSB with GParted, and copy "System Reserved" partition to the HDD drive.
3) Adjust the new copied partition to boot correctly and remove the iSSD partition created by installation.

Details in my last post.

 

PLEASE HELP!!

I cannot boot from a CD on my Samsung Ultrabook np520u4c. I've changed the boot order so the CD will boot first. Can someone please help and tell me what I might be missing.

 

Have you tried pressing F10 while booting up, to "force" booting from the DVD. If even then you cant boot from the DVD, most likely your DVD is not recorded correctly. If you have access to another computer, try to boot from the cd in that computer. If it boot, tehn it can be your laptop dvd drive thats malfunctioning. Then, the beste way is to have a working ISO file of the windows dvd, search the web for a tool to transfer it to a usb pen and make bootable, and install it from the pen. Its also faster than installing from DVD.

 

Make sure that you have disabled the Fast BIOS Mode on the Advanced page in the BIOS setup. This option skips checking if devices other than the HDD are bootable.

John

 

I followed your instructions, and everything worked fine, up to these instructions.
bootsect /nt60 C: /mbr didn't work for me, but bootsect /nt60 C: did. Does it matter?

When I'm trying to run bcdboot c:\Windows /s c: I am getting Failure when attemting to copy boot files.
How can I resolve these issues?

 

Thanks for you tuto. It woks for me. And in fact it's not so difficult

 

Guys,

I really need your help! Even though I'm quite a noob, I've been stupid enough to do the following on my np530u3c-a01uk:

1. I wanted to do a completely clean install of Windows 8 on a new SSD (Samsung 840 Series). So I installed the new SSD (I still have all files on the old HDD, so an option is to install it back if that helps).
2. I formatted all the partitions I saw during the installation process. This probably means I have formatted / deleted the iSSD and all associated files too.
3. Installed Windows 8 using a USB on the new SSD. Files were copied, the installer asked me to remove USB so that system could restart. It restarted, and went blank... BIOS shows that the new SSD is installed; but doesn't boot.

I have tried disabling fastboot and installing it; but again, to no avail.

I have no idea about Linux so one of the solutions outlined above may not help me. Is there some way I can load and boot Windows 8 on my system without taking it to some expert?

Thks!

 

Give a try to the soluce of CLabs. It's really not difficult. you will not have to use command lines or whatever tricky linux things... It s graphical.

I was surprised to succeed at the first try !

 

Cant you just erase the issd (like enter DISKPART in command line, select the issd, and type CLEAN), then proceed with instal to the SSD? Since the iSSD hasn't any partition, windows wont install there... You can enter a command line before installing windows, in the setup screen press ALT+F10, and you'll have a command line to work with DISKPART.

Sent from my U20i using Tapatalk

 

I tried this. And it will not work. windows will create the partition by itself (or the instalation fails...can't remenber)

 

Ok, didnt know that. Always good to know when I install a SSD in my series 5.

Sent from my U20i using Tapatalk

 

Hi, Could someone pls help me with the following problem?
I have a samsung np530u3b notebook which I am trying to reinstall...

It used to have a dual boot win 7 Linux, but all partitions have been deleted.
When I install win 7 on the ssd or hdd it will not boot, but hangs at startup screen.

I have an external DVD drive but I am not able to boot from it.
Yes, I deactivated the fast boot option in bios.
I use a bootable usb instead which does work...

The solutions provided on this forum seem to be for Linux only... how do I get (only) win7 up and working again?

 

If your notebook has the iSSD then read this thread.

John

 

Guys, can anyone help me to resolve the issue with sleeping mode, please?

I have a 13" np530u3b a01us. I've replaced the Hitachi HDD with Sandisk SSD, installed Windows 7 from Samsung Recovery CD with an external drive. I've also installed Easy Settings with its semi-sleep-semi-hibernation thing. The iSSD is turned off in the windows device manager.

The problem is that hibernation cannot be chosen in the settings menu, while sleep works well only 2-3 times after reboot (or maybe I just don't see problems). From the 4th time, the display is turning off, while the cooler and led indicators do not. The opening of the lid doesn't lead to a wake-up. However, when I press power button it turn on in couple of seconds.

Of course, I want my laptop to wake up as fast as possible, while the battery life is even more important. Did any of you get your laptop to work well with this samsung's smart sleep feature? What do you thing is the best way to deal with this issue?

 

Here is Microsoft's advice for enabling hibernation.

However, I wonder whether you are trying to use the Intel Rapid Start Technology. If it is supported on your notebook then you don't need hibernation and advice on getting it working properly is in this thread.

John

 

Thank you, John.

The problem was in the improper work of Intel Rapid Start. The latest version helped.

 

Hello, I have a Samsunng np530u4b-a01 same problem.

I solved this problem with this: UEFI, jelenkorunk grafikus interfésze [avagy hogyan telepítsünk Windows 8.1 x64 operációsrendszert UEFI módban] | DirtyWindows

:hi2:

 

Added by moderator: Please see comments/warnings here before using these steps.

The following is the way I got around the issue of Windows 8.1 not assigning partition at install or after the install not booting of the sata drive. Hope it helps.

Series 5 - NP530 - Windows 8.1 Clean Install

Bios------ Set (Latest Version - My was Phoenix P14AAJ)
Fast bios mode - disabled
AHCI Mode - Manual / Enabled
UEFI Boot Support - Enabled

**Check if you have an SD Card in the system. If you do, you remove it and run setup again.

---------------Boot from USB

Once the setup fails to find the partition, just close the setup window (the top-right-hand side red X does the job).

From that point, you should be brought back at the initial setup screen.Choose "Repair" then go to the advanced tools and start the command line.

Start DISKPART.

Type LIST DISK and identify your SSD disk number (from 0 to n disks).

Type SELECT DISK <n> where <n> is your SSD disk number.

Type CLEAN

Type CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

Type ACTIVE

Type FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK

Type ASSIGN

Type EXIT twice (one to get out of DiskPart, the other to exit the command line tool)

Reboot

Once Windows 8.1 setup completes reboot without USA stick, Once it fails to boot of sata drive, load USB stick back in and boot again to Setup windows 8.1, at the install

button choose "Repair" then go to the advanced tools and start the command line.

Start DISKPART

Type LIST Volume (Keep the number of the "System Reserved" partition. I'll use 0 as example)

Type SELECT VOLUME 0 (System Reserved)

Type ACTIVE (Make active)

Type EXIT

-----------At the Prompt then,

Type bootsect /nt60 C: /mbr (assuming your "System Reserved" partition is "C:")

Type bcdboot c:\Windows /s c:

Remove your USB disk and reboot. Your Series 5 should be booting Windows 8/8.1 now