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

You need to turn off Fast BIOS Mode (or some similar name) in the BIOS. When that mode is enabled the BIOS doesn't check for bootable USB devices.

The other potential obstacle is make sure that you plugged the optical drive into a USB 2.0 ( no blue tab).

John

 

Hello qnanet, welcome to NBR.

Good job getting that working. And thank you for sharing your experience.

I am afraid I have to add a few warnings for others who may want to follow these steps:

1) In your steps, you enable UEFI in BIOS, yet the remaining steps are for a non-UEFI (MBR) installation. This can lead to issues on some models: Even though older models (delivered with Win7) have an UEFI option in BIOS, it is NOT the same as the full-blown UEFI implementation of newer machines (delivered with Win8), and some can even brick if UEFI is enabled when installing Windows (see this thread).

2) Older Samsung laptops (delivered with Win7) should generally have UEFI disabled when installing Windows, since they are not fully UEFI compliant. This is also how they were delivered originally, although some BIOS updates change this default. If you keep UEFI disabled, you don't need the manual DISKPART steps in your guide to CLEAN and create partitions; Setup will see the disk, and you can simply delete and create partitions on the Advanced screen. This install guide contains full details.

3) Newer Samsung laptops (delivered with Win8) can install with UEFI enabled (OS Mode Selection= UEFI OS or UEFI & CSM OS) or disabled (OS Mode Selection= CSM OS) which will determine whether Windows Setup creates an UEFI installation (and converts the disk to GPT) or a legacy BIOS installation (and converts the disk to MBR). Win7 works best in legacy BIOS mode (non-UEFI) on Samsung laptops, while Win8 and 8.1 can benefit from UEFI in some ways. When installing Win7 or Win8 in UEFI mode, you may have to manually convert the disk to GPT (using DISKPART) in order for Setup to see it.

4) In any case do you have to choose whether you want an UEFI Windows installation (which requires the disk to be GPT layout) or a legacy BIOS Windows installation (which requires the disk to be MBR layout). You cannot and should not change UEFI afterwards. See the posts here and here for important reading ( before installation) for those not familiar with these terms.

5) Wiping the disk (using DISKPART CLEAN or any other means) will lose the Samsung Recovery feature, and hence the ability to restore the machine to factory state if something goes wrong. We have had hundreds of users post here, trying to get their Recovery back. Unfortunately traditional image backups do NOT work with Samsung Recovery (F4 is broken after restoring such backups). See this post for details on how to backup Samsung Recovery (it's different for WIn7 and Win8 models).

6) The boot problem you describe is caused by Windows Setup being confused on models with ExpressCache (2011/12 Series 5 and 7). There are several workarounds, the simplest being to install from DVD whenever possible (instead of from USB). Or just leave the original System Reserved partition in place (don't CLEAN the disk). If you MUST install from USB on a new (or CLEANed) disk, you need need to enter Windows Setup a second time after it has finished copying files (as you describe in your steps). There are a few different workarounds, as further described in this thread.

Once again, it really is great that you shared your experience and installation steps. That is what NBR is all about. But we already answer a lot of problem cases here from owners who have used installation guides that did not take these issues into account. (Come to think of it, I should edit those guides that are here on NBR, and insert links to this post.)

So please, don't be discouraged, and keep posting your experiences

 

Hi All

My Samsung Ultrabook 5 NP540U3C-A01UB CORE I 5, was not booting and showing me a screen on which one tab is boot menu in which my drive is showing i was pressing enter selecting my drive but nothing was happening system was not booting so i decide to go for fresh clean installation of windows 8.1 i booted my ultra book 5 with Windows 8.1 image Usb and complete the installation, system looks good every thing was working good. but when i rebooted it with out boot able usb it start showing the same screen, when i insert the usb and the re boot it but ignore the usb boot option the system start working i also have try to change the boot priority from the setup but no benefit.
\need help please.
Samsung Ultrabook 5 NP540U3C-A01UB CORE I 5

Mairaj

 

Hi mairaj Zafar, welcome to NBR.

The boot problem you experienced after re-installing Windows is caused by Windows Setup being confused by the the small ExpressCache SSD (so-called iSSD).

It is described in section (6) in the post just before yours. That section has a link to a thread covering this exact problem. There are also hundreds of other posts about it in here the Samsung forum.

Since you already wiped the disk, it is too late for the simplest fix (just leaving the original MSR System partition alone in Windows Setup). You want to install again now, but install from a DVD instead of from USB. That solves the problem.

 

This worked for me. Only two comments:

15) run: bootsect /nt60 C: /mbr --> don't use "C:/mbr" but "C: /mbr"
16) run: bcdboot c:\Windows /s c: --> I had to use another volume letter, in my case it was: "bcdboot d:\windows /s c:" (see diskpart for your volume letters)

that's all!
great work leonefly!!!

 

Hello guys, my girlfriend has a NP530U3C-A03PT ( i7 -3517U, 8gb) ,i remove the hitachi 500gb, installed and 850 evo 500gb, and used an external drive to format, and install windows 7...everything went ok...
i installed express cash, intel rapid storage, intel rapid start...

My only doubt is the i can´t seem to find the issd? i already used gparted live usb and i cant find it?

thanks in advance,

 

Hello K1mer0, welcome to NBR.

The iSSD should indeed show up in Disk Manager in Windows. BUT you should NOT install ExpressCache now that you have a much faster SSD in the computer. It will only slow down disk access and cause unnecessary wear.

Now, you should still be able to install Intel Rapid Start and make it hibernate to the iSSD (a good use for it). See John Ratsey's iRST Guide thread for more details.

 

Hello Dannemand, thanks for the reply...first i will uninstall the expresscache, then i will try to figure out, why cant i see the issd...( i have no idea), i will reinstall the rapid start.
Tomorrow im going to take a look at that guide..
As soon as possible will update with more information...
Thanks again

 

Guys any ideas why can't i see/find issd? the issd is weld to the motherboard right, its impossible that i may turned it off when switching the hdd for the ssd? ( im going crazy)
( sorry about my bad english)...
Thanks

 

I can see mine perfectly in Windows Disk Management, but I have ExpressCache installed..

On another note I'm pretty either your CPU is a i5 or i3, or is not a NP530U3C-A03PT.. NP530U3C portuguese series do not have i7 CPU.. Which makes me wonder if your laptop really has any iSSD..

 

Hello skor78, thanks for the reply...

With or without expresscashe installed i can't see da issued either on WDM / Diskpart / GParted...
The one thing im sure is the model name ( i can take a photo, and its an i7-3517U model), i already wonder if the laptop as the issued ( pretty sure it has). ( later on i will take a picture of the samsung laptop box with the specifications )...this model was purchased september/october 2012 ( can´t remember)

 

Instead of that just check laptop specs at computer proprieties.. Also, check for Sandisk SSD in Device Manager - Disk Drives, if you can't see it, you might be having a driver issue..

 

Guys, i don't know if it helps , but here´s a print of bios and Device Manager....



Still no sign of the issd... I begin to suspect that there was never an issd installed..
In the device manager its missing the driver for the PCI ( i think its something from intel)...

 

I'm not going to download images from Dropbox.. Lol
Please edit the post and insert the images.
This laptop is completely intel based, even ExpressCache, so it's probably important.. If Samsung Update doesn't give any updates, download Intel Driver Update Utility from their site, and check for driver updates.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Ok,
First, your BIOS is fine, mine also has no iSSD on SATA, because iSSD is not on a SATA port (probably is PCI).. Also, kudos on your i7 showing in BIOS, and sorry for my bad assumption..
I'm almost sure you're having driver issues, which is strange because usually Samsung Update solves all this.. Follow the steps in previous post and report back.

P.S. - (Between us, Portuguese..) És de onde? Eu sou da Amadora, Lisboa. Abraço!

 

i must be honest ( and stupid of me), i still did not run samsung update...i just downloaded some drivers, today i have to download that ( i can't find samsung update in the samsung site)...
No problem..
Ps: ( Vivo no Porto )..

Thanks for all the help skor78...i will keep you update...

 

Dude, you can find it?
http://www.samsung.com/pt/support/model/NP530U3C-A03PT
There's one link at the top under useful software, and one at the bottom, under firmware..
But, just in case you don't find it..
http://orcaservice.samsungmobile.com/SWUpdate.aspx

 

My bad...i saw w8 and ignored the sw...
At the moment its installing the w7 updates to many), then i will try the sw...

Thanks skor78

PS: well guys, all drivers are updated, w7 also, everything is working smooth, but still no issd, probably it never had one, i can´t remember, the specifications aren't clear...i will not waste anymore time with it...

Thanks

 

No more unknown devices in device manager?
Did Samsung Update installed Express Cache?
I can't find your laptop specs anywhere! If possible attach that photo of box specs you told me earlier..

Thanks

Sent from my SM-A500F using Tapatalk

 

Hello skor78,
No more unknow devices in DM.
First i had Express Cache installed, then as Dannemand suggested i, uninstalled..
Heres the photo of the box specs ( i does not show the damn issd, i could swear that it has).

At the moment with the 850 Evo after the bios menu ( F2/F4) it takes 10-11s to enter windows, so i think its ok.

 

@K1mer0: Just to clarify: The iSSD is NOT detected by BIOS, but is otherwise a regular SATA device, so it should show up in Windows Device Manager and Disk Manager -- assuming proper chipset drivers are installed.

The ExpressCache driver is just caching software and does not affect whether the iSSD is visible. In fact, ExpressCache depends on the iSSD being seen by Windows in order to work. As noted, the ExpressCache software should NOT be installed if the HDD is replaced with an SSD since it will slow down disk access to the new SSD (which is faster than the iSSD) and it will only add unnecessary wear to both.

It sounds like some basic drivers may not be installed here. I recommend you follow the exact steps in our Win7 install guide (post #40 in that thread, NOT the opening post). That guide lists the software you should install after completing Windows setup.

@skor78: As always, thanks a lot for helping out

 

@Dannemand:
I had no idea the iSSD was SATA.. Thanks. You know I like to help whenever I can..
@K1mer0:
I just checked my box and also has no reference to iSSD, most likely you do have it but it's not showing up..
I'd recommend that you contact Samsung support via live chat (it's easy and fast) and they should be able to provide you the laptop complete specs..
Did Express Cache appear in Samsung Update or not?


Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks you both.

@Dannemand, to install again the drivers like the guide, i probably need to do a w7 clean install...( i cant do that at the moment);
@skor78, i will contact samsung support...
Yes it did, because i had uninstalled...tomorrow i will take a look again...i will print the samsung update..

 

If Samsung Update showed you Express Cache it's because it assumes your model has it. Something is definitely wrong. My 550P5C doesn't have EC, and regardless of some 550P5C having it, mine has no reference to EC in SU.
Hopefully Samsung support can shed some light on this.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Tapatalk

 

Guys, after update everything, except bios with SW, i can see that it was created a new partition...( perhaps by EC. - it showed in the updates..)


At the moment i cant format again da laptop to follow the exact guide...and tomorrow i will contact samsung...
thanks...

 

Why didn't you updated BIOS? The issue might be related to BIOS, and Samsung support will probably ask you to update it..

 

As @skor78 pointed out, you should update BIOS before doing any Windows installations. But instead of updating it from within SW Update, you want to follow the safer procedure described here.

And I don't understand why you say you cannot format the laptop to follow the guide. The guide I linked specifically says NOT to format anything other than the Windows partition. Again I am referring to the guide in this post. That is post #40 in its thread, NOT post #1 (which contains a very different guide).

The partitions shown on your disk are quite normal. No EC created partitions there.

 

Bios updated.
Already contacted samsung, the support chat did not know if my model has issd...they will call me back with more information.

@Dannemand, sorry if i mislead you, i can't format at the moment ( my girlfriend needs the laptop ASP), the problem its not the guide.. as soon as i can i will update you both with more news...

Thank you both.

 

Hey man, you made my day! I have a Samsung S Ultrabook NP530U3C that I wanted to upgrade to Windows 10, but i failed and I deleted all partitions and tried installing by USB, which failed as well, the laptop didnt want to start up without the USB flash. I came across this forum and saw your advice. I bought an extern LG dvdrom and now I got the laptop working again! Thanks.

 

You will now need to reformat the iSSD to get express cache working. Best way to do this IMO, is to delete all iSSD partitions, leave it raw, and run Samsung settings. After that if you're still having problems check both our 530uxx thread and I want my express cache back thread.
Regards

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Guys after what i described before, since windows/bios dont identify the issd, and i upgrade to an ssd, can i upgrade/install w10 from a usb? or do i need to use again the external dvd?

 

I am afraid I don't recall the details of your situation, but generally the issue of Windows Setup mis-identifying the iSSD as the boot device applies regardless of whether you have an HDD or SSD installed -- which means installing from DVD is the safer approach.

If you MUST install from USB, you will probably have to follow the workarounds in this guide (post #1 or #2 in that same thread).

The problem is that by the time Windows Setup is loaded, BIOS POST will have completed, and the iSSD will be visible -- causing Windows Setup to be confused and placing its boot on it.

That said, some users have reported that Win10 Setup doesn't suffer from this confusion by the iSSD. I cannot confirm that myself, as I am still running 8.1.

 

My situation was that after upgrading the hdd to ssd, windows did not show the issd. everything was installed, etc.
Perhaps know with the new installation it will appear again.
I will take in consideration youre guide
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-via-usb-on-np700z.697841/page-4#post-9191509

OK..i better not take any risks...i will use the external dvd. Thanks