Series 7 Chronos All Models: Push for SAMSUNG to implement "FIXED MODE" in BIOS

Judging by the amount of open-box offerings online, I don't think there are enough refunds due to the issue to satisfy significant invesment in fixing it. But yes, you are right. It will most likely be open box if it was returned due to OpenGL. Refurbs usually have a hardware issue that is fixable, this certainly isn't so far.

The main supply problems is due to their limited factory capacity - they don't outsource for now (although in talks already). They expected to be able to build 16+ million units, but only managed 11-12 million last year. So there is shortage of supply now. They are working on options how to increase it - optimize factory + some limited outsourcing (probably some R and 3 series models would be my guess). Add to that the floods and you have a 1 month waiting list for RF series in the UK - a laptop that has been on the market there for almost an year

 

I'm not sure that PowerExpress 5 is out yet.

 

Are there any drawbacks at all to use Leshcats Alternate Drivers? And if not, which versions work best?

Is there any features at all that we miss from not using the official ones?

And what do they actually solve? Do games like Rage and Minecraft work with them even thou they use OpenGL?

 

I was led to understand by one of my contacts that HP was using the newer version but I can't find anything on the www to support that info. in fact, there's not much info about PowerXpress.

John

 

they actually nearly completely solve the OpenGL problem. but not completely, as some applications simply ignore the amd card.
Rage and minecraft will work well after you install it. plus other apps like cinema 4D that did'nt even run before also will work.
so far no real drawbacks.


the latest windows certified WHQC version is the 11.12 but there is also 12.1 and 12.1a, the latest from AMD's forge.
i'd recommend the 12.1, but if you experience problems, go for the 11.12.
i also highly recommend to do the extensive driver cleaning from the old drivers, using driver sweeper.
just take your time to read the faq properly, it is really not that difficult.

 

how do i know that my laptop is using the 6750m??

i use AMD Sysem Monitor, but memory speed is always 100-150mhz.

which application and with game in window mode will help me??

i have to decide just today if i return or not...buff.

 

What game? And what framerate are you getting? And have you set Switchable Graphics on that game to High Performance in the Catalyst Control Center?

In most cases when it comes to games its pretty easy to see if a game uses the AMD GPU instead of the Intel one just by looking at what framerates you get.

Also you could try to change the settings in Switchable Graphics to Power Saving and compare the framerate. If you see a big difference, then you have your answer aswell.

 

I worry that his GPU may not be clocking itself correctly. As he has seen the minimum idle clocks of 100/150, the AMD GPU is initialised.

 

Try skyrim. if the amd does not switches on, it is a freakin slide show. i
had to relist it to high performance when i applied an update. as soon as i did and the amd kicked in, great framerates with all in high and 1600x900.

 

My card was having the same problem. You need to go into catalyst control centre and then the PowerPlay tab. Make sure this is turned on and then the card works fine.

Let me know if this helps!

 

Hrm... that's odd... Oh, wait, are you using the 15" model? I think that might explain some of the differences in our numbers.

On the 14" model (which uses a less powerful GPU), I get 30fps in Skyrim on Low, with both stock drivers and Leshcats.

Now, SWTOR, in contrast, seems to have improved for me, marginally, with the Leshcats. I now get 30-45 fps on Low, and 15-30 fps on Medium.

 

Further analysis on the 14" with 'cats:

According to AMD System Monitor, I am DEFINITELY using the AMD GPU during Skyrim and SWTOR. However, if Minecraft is using it, I sure as heck can't tell. Minecraft is getting about 10fps, and hardly showing any GPU activity on the graph. I guess it could theoretically be CPU-bound (instead of GPU-bound), if it's only using one core. Not sure.

 

MineCraft uses OpenGL and is a problem with the stock drivers. I thought it should work fine with Leshcats alternate drivers thou, just like Rage.

 

I have just send my Chronos 15" back to Amazon. It´s a shame, but i can´t live with a computer that aren´t using the hardware.

And well, the screen was crappy anyway. Right now I´m sitting in front of my old Packard Bell that i bought back in... 2006 i guess. And the screen is so much better. viewing angle > 5% and black IS black. Unbelieveble Samsung...

Apart from the graphic card issue and the screen quality it would have been a wonderfull notebook.

So that´s it. I will join the Apple-movement There are no alternatives on the market right now if you want a light, stylish, powerfull, functional and working notebook, as I see it.

 

I returned my laptop too....

 

Any similar options to this laptop?? Not apple...

 

Try the ENVY15, i7 SB quad + HD7690M with the FIXED BIOS, with IPS 1080p Radiance. (It does have a flaw - red orange colours, but if you don't need very accurate colours, the display is one of the best.)

 

Thanks yknyong1 for your continued efforts.
Its a shame that we can not have fixed mode in BIOS.

After a lot of thinking, I have returned my Chronos 7 due to the graphics and touchpad issue. This is the sexiest looking laptop you can buy and hopefully Samsung releases a newer revision with NVIDIA and Synaptics touchpad. Wifi range also sucks on this laptop but the speed is just fine.

Back to my T400, which is still going strong...

 

What's your issue with the touchpad? I think the touchpad is great, so just curious on what isn't working for you, because the S7 made me realize what I wanted in a touchpad and I like it better than any of my previous touchpads.

Ofcourse, tweeking the settings for your personal need is a must, but after that it's near perfect for me.

 

I agree, Touchpad multitouch is AWESOME but the way it incorrectly registers the single tap as a click and also causes to drag objects is terrible. I have tried new driver as well and no luck unless you disable single tap as click which is not a practical solution.
Other than that, the far left and top edges of the touchpad have "dead zones" which do not register tap. I thought mine was defective but couple other people posted the same on amazon. And yes the spacebar is dead on either corners but I fixed it thanks to a youtube video.

 

Here I Spain we don't have the envy yet...it's a shame we have to wait so long for things to get here.

I love this Samsung overall. And I don't find anything similiar because i want to play with it.

Any other options that are not the g53 or the msi gamers??

I want to play games but with less weight of the aboves ones.

We have some asus with the nvidia 555M but it has GDDR3...

 

That's the best choice. It doesn't matter whether it is GDDR3 or 5...what matters is how the GPU performs - the 555M in N55 performs about 10-25% better than the 6750M in the Chronos. It's not a bad laptop tbh although I hate ASUS since my ASUS entertainment laptop was a total disaster and I personally wouldn't buy it, but still I recommend it to other s

 

Or you can always wait a couple (maybe 3) months for the Series 5 with 650M, which uses Optimus and not the retarded AMD switching Depends on whether you've got time or not Samsung Series 5 notebooks stretch to 15 and 17 inches (hands-on) | The Verge

 

I really need it...it's a shame.

In looking for long and love the Samsung....I can't find anything similar that is not the envy (we don't have it in Spain yet).

The n53 doesnt have illuminated keyboard...not sure what to buy...

 

Really need it? Is it for work? I can't think of any other scenario of someone really needing a laptop. You can always get something extremely cheap 2nd hand or a netbook as an interim and then go for Series 5 when it hits the market. Or a series 7 if they fix their issues in a few months. And if you like Samsung that much - buy a relatively cheap RF511. You can't go wrong. The GPU is "just" a 540M but it is a great laptop (no stock faults like S7). Then you can sell it in a few months time and get S5 if you aren't happy with it...

 

N55SF/N45SF available in your country?

 

Any idea on when the next Samsung model will be released with improved specs? (I'm talking same SNB i7 or better, 8GB RAM, 15" monitor, expresscache and similar thin styling)

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...t-ivy-bridge-nvidia-gpu-15-6-17-3-models.html

This one is similar.

 

New member here. First post. This issue is the exact reason why I decided to join this forum and hope that my added attendance helps show Samsung that we need this issue resolved. I really like this machine. The only thing holding up my level of complete satisfaction is this tiny setting...

 

I've spoken with two different tier 2 representatives now and they've both told me that they've received a lot of phone calls about this issue and that development department is definitely working on a fix. They collected some data from me to send on to the people who are working on the fix.

I'm not planning on returning my laptop.. I've gotten the problem fixed for all the programs I need except After Effects so far (Photoshop and Premiere are both running with it). There is literally no other option on the market if you need sleek and portable and I really like this laptop.

 

We shall see when they do push a fix, and whether the fix is what we are looking for. Reason is because 'FIXED mode BIOS' is definitely out of their radar.

 

As far as I know Dell are working on an actual fix for Vostros to fix the whole shambles situation and not just to introduce a fixed mode like HP. They are basically trying to achieve what Nvidia has and I am pretty sure they will eventually - question is when. Situation with S7 should be similar I suppose.

 

Yeah I agree, there will be some sort of fix released, IMO within less than a month if not sooner

 

Well if they don't bother, the 17" Chronos will be a stillborn if it uses AMD graphics without a better way of switching.

 

How did you get Photoshop running on the Radeon card?
Ive told it to use "high performance" but in PS it still only shows the intel card under the open GL settings...

 

Only Intel HD3000 will do OpenGL on the S7.

 

I'm a little annoyed that AMD is trying to hide this problem. Someone posted about it on their message board, and the discussion was eventually removed from the AMD website. You can still see it on the google cached version:

AMD Game Forums - Problems with Radeon HD 6490M switchable graphics...any help?

 

That was entertaining - thanks for the cache link.

 

LOL at AMD - playing taichi!

 

Customer support at its best! Just screw AMD and buy Nvidia for laptops...it isn't hard to figure out. Optimus seems like generations ahead.

 

My laptop has been with Samsung for more than 1 week. Growing a little impatient now.

 

But guess we need to screw both - NVIDIA is damn expensive!

 

At least it works...

 

My patience is running out... i am one step from returning the notebook, and moving to Mac (..giving the finger to Bill..)
Is there anything i could send together, as a reference to the whole situation, so that Samsung responsible won't reject the refund?
Any of you that have succesfully returned it, please share your experience and your actions.

 

My return in spain was easy...but I bought it in a store so I just had to tell them to open a program or whatever using the 6750M.... They couldn't.

My problem was that I installed a SSD and opening the laptop I made a lot of sings about it....but they had a lot of clients...I was really lucky.

If they fix this, I will buy this laptop again. I don't find anything similar in Spain...

 

Sometimes I wonder don't you have consumer protection agencies in your countries!? If Samsung refuses a refund on an issue that has been present since the sale of the laptop and hasn't fixed it, then this is misadvertising and you MUST be able to return it. If they refuse, just call the related consumer protection agency wherever you are and ask for help from them. The period in which you can return based on mis-selling/mis-advertising varies though, so check the laws in your country. In my home country, I believe it is 2 years for defects that can be proven as existing when the laptop was sold - which is the case here.

And actually the law states that they are entitled to do one of the following: 1) Fix the issue within a reasonable period of time (might be specific for the country) 2) If fix is not issued, refund.

Just stick with your consumer rights, unless you live somewhere in Iran or something you should have them.

 

In most countries, unlike the US there is no lemon law and the procedure for consumer protection makes one jump through hoops and hurdles. In short, it is not easy to get a refund because the law/constitution sides with the retailer.

 

Hey everyone!

Oh-wow... I found this thread by accident and I'm so glad I did. I'm having a ton of issues with my NP700Z5A-S02PL (including the touchpad and switchable graphics), yet it's such a wonderful and sleek piece of hardware. I'm heartbroken and frustrated. This is going to be long one but if you're interested, please read.

I purchased my S7 nearly 3 weeks ago. It was supposed to be a desktop replacement for my semester abroad. I noticed several things straight away. First of all, the noise on idle was bugging me. My S7 emits constant, quiet hum, even when the fan is off and the computer is completely idle. I don't know if that's supposed to be happening (I looked through many reviews but TBH I have absolutely no reference point to compare) and I could in fact live with that but what extremely irritates me is that this noise is SORT of irregular, the kind that a failing fan would make, I'm sure you can imagine. It's quiet, but this strange, slight irregularity is unsettling. If there aren't multiple fans in there (?), then I'm positive it's not the fan, which actually works OK whenever it kicks in; this seems like the hard drive - so... I figured that has to be acceptable for 7200rpm and I'm just being over-sensitive. I also heard some quiet clicking from the hard drive from time to time... fair enough I thought, that's gotta be the header parking. Now I'm frankly alarmed because I was downloading some torrents today when I heard one damn loud set of metallic clicks and clacks, and same thing again a couple of minutes later It did that several times but the hard drive itself does not report any errors. I'm confused. Moving on... to the reason I found this thread. I tried to play some HD video on youtube once when my screen suddenly went off, artefacts all over the place, flicker and at last - BSOD, reporting error in some ATI file. It took me a while to figure out that this happens always but only on battery : What's strange - this won't happen while I run 3dmark or whatever, so far I found it only applies to youtube HD (not even avi or wmv). I contacted Samsung because it's obvious that this needs fixing. But now I'm almost a week from my departure to Netherlands, no way they can repair it in time. I figured that the worldwide warranty would allow me to fix it locally after I settle in (after all, I can live without the HD videos for several days).

...but then I found this thread.... and I feel like crying. There may be no point in fixing it in the long run. I often work in Photoshop, and I actually tend to do some work in the very OpenGL, and of course I'd like to be able to play an occasional game, but most importantly I'd like to get what I paid for! As a student who spent pretty much all his savings I must say I'm really, really disappointed And other things, that I started noticing now that I have read this thread, start to depress me even further... like the touchpad which I actually liked at first - the annoying drag&drop, dead spaces, freaking ever glowing wi-fi button (and no quick wi-fi toggling, for that matter), ...

I'm totally at a loss now. I'm departing in ~1.5 week. Seems like some of my options are:
- demand a return and buy different model (but I see no good alternative, plus I might not be able to do that within a week)
- demand a refund, buy some cheap netbook for now (I study IT, this seems unacceptable)
- take it with me, fix it, hope naively that Samsung will push some bugfix
- take it with me, fix it, use it, demand a refund later (seems impossible)
- take it with me, fix it, use it, sell it
- an hero

What do you think? Any advice is appreciated. I wouldn't be so desperate if I wasn't running out of time. Please at least let me know how your pieces perform (I mean the clicking and the idle noise), that might help me figure out if this notebook is really worth its money. Chronos S7 is charming but I do not have the words to describe how much Samsung's quality control SUCKS.

Take care. M

 

Idle noise does not exist on my units. In your case it could be capacitor hum.

Are you staying for good in the Netherlands? Or will you return to Poland?

If you will not return to Poland anymore, I think that you may want to immediately notify Samsung of this and demand a refund now (see if they are willing to help you). You can always buy another in the Netherlands.

 

Maybe hum isn't the right word but I'm pretty sure it's the HDD, capacitor wouldn't be that loud and I can hear it spin down after switching the notebook off. If your HDD is silent then it boils down to faulty drive... on top of the GPU. Great QC.
Does your HDD click from time to time?

It's just a semester... But I'll need a computer once I'm there and every alternative I've seen seems like a major downgrade (it's either larger, heavier, or slower) or it's not available here. BTW, S7 I bought was bundled with 23" monitor, it was a pretty good deal.