Windows 8.1 Update Issues and Discussion

is there anyone successfully to update to windows 8.1 with samsung NP740U3E, mine still got an error and restored back to windows 8 again, because samsung has released the manual instructions to update to windows 8.1 ..... is anybody here update to windows 8.1 with tune up program installed here?, i saw there's a rumor that tune up made the update to error... and also the LAN and graphic drivers.... anybody here can give me a review?

 

I have just installed the latest AMD Beta Driver on my 7705z5e and it solved the sleep wake crashes. System seems to work as with Windows 8 now.

 

Pending Samsung issuing 8.1-compatible drivers and software for other models, you could try those for the NP940X3G as I mentioned here (3 posts up this thread).

Otherwise you will have to be patient. Samsung are working on the problem, but at their own speed.

John

 

The following fixed the issue for me: [Fix] Bold, Blurry or Hard to Read Font Problem in Windows 8.1 - AskVG

 

Thank you so much That just saved my day.

 

I dont know who to blame. Samsung or Microsoft.

I think it is Microsoft. My brand new laptop got into a loop, and i pressed F2 F4 F8 F12, F11, and no one button worked.

I was nicely into hotmail, and got the invitattion from Microsoft to upgrade, and now I am without a laptop(writing from my secure Ipad).

My problem is ..

"your pc ran into a problem and needs to restart ". ...check acpi bios error

Agghh. microsof, you did it again!

 

Leshcat's driver work almost perfectly for me on same laptop with windows 8.1.

Here is the driver: leshcatlabs.net forums • View topic - Release: Catalyst 13.9 WHQL UnifL Public Testing

I got 2 error during installation but otherwise everything works smoothly even the brightness settings.

 

The issue with screen resolution should go away once you have adjusted your settings and then rebooted - it certainly worked for me. Just make sure that both the Intel and AMD graphics cards are enabled and working.

 

I've seen Leshcat's name around a few times but never really sure who/what they are. Does this driver overcome the problems we have been having with AMD drivers in Win 8.1?

In trying to fix my problems with Flight Simulator X, I have competely screwed up my laptop three times today! I don't fancy messing around too much more (I have to travel internationally for work tomorrow) so I will put off any further changes until next weekend.

 

NP900X3B-A01US owner here. I updated the Elan driver and Settings with the NP940X3G-K06DE Windows Blue updates and it fixed the problem with the touch pad not remembering settings and my Fn keys work fine. I update the wireless driver as well as I was having issues connecting to my 5g network. That's fixed as well but it could have been just rebooting the laptop which solved it.

 

For 6750m + hd3000 , yes it overcomes all issues. However, you have to leave your computer at 'test mode'. They are trying to get their driver signed, but before that you have to disable driver signature enforcement.

I have a decent 5.5k 3D Mark Vantage score with these drivers.

 

I had same issue, try hitting F4 and go into recovery mode.

It will probably prompt that your boot master is corrupted and ask you if you want it to repair it for you. You can click OK

BUT ......

The problem didn't go away for me right there. Even Windows 8.1 is working on my laptop but when fully shut down and restart from there, it take about a good 6-8 minutes to be fully boot up and running.

So I would suggest you that you consider about maybe going back to Windows 8.

I lost my Windows 8 recovery on my HDD so Samsung is mailing me a Recovery DVD disc, if Samsung doesn't fix this slow boot up by then, I will be going back to Windows 8


BIll

 

My laptop has the HD4000+7series combination. In any case, this sounds way too technical for me (I got no idea about how to run in test mode) so I I guess I just wait for something official to come through. The only thing that really doesn't work is screen brightness control and Flight Simulator X - to be honest, it's the second one that bugs me because I'm living overseas and FSX has been my entertainment.

This whole experience has seriously damaged by trust in the whole Windows/PC family. If I could find a Mac that would reliably run FSX at good frame rates I might be tempted to make the switch at any price.

 

I have an Ativ Book 8 (USA Best Buy version) that I have upgraded to Windows 8.1, although not without incident and some difficulty. Mine has been upgraded to Windows 8 Pro with media center, and to 16 GB ram. Its still in a relatively clean install state, as I only purchased about a month ago.

Installed Windows 8.1 on Friday 10/18, from the MS Store on the Start screen. After install finished, I had the black screen/flickering cursor that would not allow me to proceed. Following directions on this site, I re-booted into safe mode, uninstalled both the AMD and Intel video drivers, rebooted and was in business (sort of ). I have had the following issues and resolutions since then:

1. After getting the laptop to boot, with no video drivers, it had several issues. Most notable in my dark room was the screen being stuck on its brightest setting. I tried installing the latest Intel 4000 drivers from their site (15.xxx) which were only a couple of days old. These appeared to work and were stable, but the brightness adjustment was still missing.

2. Installed the new version of Software Update from the Samsung site.

3. Touchpad would not hold settings. I usually turn 'tapping' off, and it would not hold this setting. On info from this site, using the new SW update, I searched for my model number, and exported/saved the Windows 8 drivers for the Touchpad, and installed them. The settings interface looks identical, but it now hold the settings after reboot. This problem appears to be solved.

4. Even though I uninstalled AMD drivers (running only on Intel temporarily), the system tried to re-install them somehow. I noticed there was a failed update attempt through Windows Update, not sure of this was the culprit. After noticing that the AMD display adapter was listed again in Device Manager, I also noticed I was having intermittent video blackouts, some flickering. Uninstalled the AMD driver again, and flickering/video dropouts went away again.

5. Also from advice in a post about display brightness, I tried installing the 64 bit Graphics adapter (older Intel 4000 drivers) from the new SW Update (same procedure as the touchpad driver noted above), installed this over the newer Intel drivers without removing them. Install worked and I now have display brightness control again. YES!

6. I installed the AMD mobility 13.11 beta drivers, and system still seems stable. No video dropouts or flickering so far.

7. Keyboard brightness adjustment from the function keys also appears to be working as well, though I did not do anything on purpose to fix this one - they were on 100% of the time immediately after the win8.1 update, but I am not sure when the function went back to normal on this one.

8. (added with edit) Prior to the 8.1 upgrade, I had originally solved my WiFi issues by removing the installed drivers back to the Windows driver version. After upgrading to 8.1, I was having a problem of the WiFi not connecting on startup for a long time (couple of minutes), then connecting in a stable manner with no dropouts. I uninstalled the driver that the 8.1 upgrade had installed, going back to the Windows version driver again, and this appears to resolve this startup delay for the WiFi connectivity.

So, I have Windows 8.1 installed, and I appear to have full functionality on the laptop. Function keys appear to be working as they should. I am not sure I would call all of this a success - the end result is great, but I sent probably 10 or 12 hours working on fixing problems after this update!

 

I was also getting the black screen couple of weeks ago and I have to install Windows 8.1 5-6 times to find out which software has the problem. It is the " AMD Catalyst". Either uninstall it before upgrading to Windows 8.1 or do not install it if you are doing a fresh install.

 

lol... i pretty much had the exact same scenario as you, with the same best buy model

my only grip is, it seems like the processor is always turboing up to maximum even when CPU is less than 15-20% full load, forcing the fan to run at full speed when charging, its such an odd behavior because i dont remember this happening prior to 8.1 update

 

Catalyst, huh. When I had the black screen bug, uninstalling the Intel driver was what fixed it. I hadn't even considered Catalyst being involved.

 

I cannot believe, after 4 days of use I got black screen! I did not install anything, did not even surfed on internet, the screen started to flickering and got a black screen with flickering mouse cursor. Nice, thank you Samsung working out this almost 2 months old known black screen failure! NP530U4E laptop.

 

Hi,

after two days i have brightness control.

1. newest intel driver installed

2. newest amd beta drivers installed

3. uninstalled amd beta drivers, reboot

4. i found in new SW update old Windows 8 Intel driver and reinstalled without removing newer one, reboot

5. in device manager i downloaded from windows update AMD drivers, reboot

6. now brightness control working with intel driver 9.17.10.2963 and AMD 13.152.0.0

EDIT:
7. installed newest AMD Beta drivers and everything working (also OC)

 

Hello,

since i had solved the problem with the blackscreen i have another problem. I have no powerplan settings except the samsung mode. Is anyone here who knows how to solve this problem?

 

This problem is only on Samsung laptops?

 

Wow, I'm glad I don't have any of these problems except expresscache not working the way it should be but it wasnt working properly on windows 8 too so no worries here. Samsung np700g7c here.

 

Reinstall Settings, preferably the Windows Blue version which you can get for the NP940X3G-A06DE (see one of my previous posts).

John

 

How do you go about uninstalling the AMD drivers? Is it more than disable the device? I was mucking around yesterday and got to a point where the laptop failed to recognise the AMD card at all!

Is there a new Samsung SW update with drivers? Last time I looked, there were no driver updates at all.

Thanks for this. At least we know which drivers to look for. I'm following carefully, but won't make any changes until I get home on Friday.

 

Hi,

don't think so. Actually, Windows 8.1 caused several issues on my Dell XPS desktop too, including silently replacing the AMD driver with a Microsoft one and leaving the Intel RAID software (Intel Rapid Storage) in a state where the service failed without notification. Got both fixed, though.

Considering the AMD graphics driver: manually installed the 13.11 mobility beta and it seems to work. As the AMD site only provides some "utility" program obviously meant to download the target package, but fails with an "incompatible hardware" message, I decided to download and test the package directly. This is the url on the ATI site, as it is hard to find otherwise:

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/beta/amd_catalyst_13.11_mobility_betav1.exe (235 MB)

The above package installs a new Catalyst version + drivers and(!) mystically even restores the Switchable Graphics option. It seems to actually work now as before.

Note that Microsoft obviously ships an AMD driver version that came via Windows Update as an optional download today. Feeling lucky, I installed that after having the beta package already in place. Would not recommend that; afterwards, the Switchable Graphics option was missing again and Catalyst could not manage anything anymore (though it did not crash). Worst issue was, of course, that the black screen issue reappeared, but that seemed to be gone again after a reboot. Reinstalled the above beta package, and won't do any more experiments for now. My Intel drivers are those that come with SWUpdate for Windows 8, btw. Brightness control works, hopefully also fixed the Touchpad settings thing by reinstalling the driver as suggested.

SWUpdate updated itself again today, btw, current version is 2.1.20.0 here. Apparently, nothing changed, though. Odd thing is if I look up my model manually (np870z5e-x04de), the Windows Blue section still shows a 2.1.19 version, and that is the only download available.

HTH,
-- Chris.

 

Anyone know if there is any newer drivers for the 700Z3C? it says on the website there is but it only allows me to download for windows 8. I've got the s01 model, there is an option for s02 model which looks exactly the same as mine but it just lets me download the newer version of SWupdate, which finds nothing.

 

The new beta ATI drivers appear to work normally except in one crucial (for me) way. If I play Flight Simulator X, it crashes to the desktop every time I go near the menus. That's what I'm really hanging out for - some drivers that will fix that issue.

 

Upgraded my NP370R5E-S06 to 8.1 and looks like it works pretty well except few things. Battery drains like two times faster. And it looks like my laptop heating up while cpu is almost not loaded at all. So I'm looking for some help cause I cant really understand how to fix it without returning to 8

 

You just have to wait. The newer SW Update is aware that 8.1 exists but Samsung haven't yet put the new drivers and software into the database.

It is unfortunate that Samsung's wording in the list here says "can be updated", which people assume means now rather than at some point in the future when Samsung have got the drivers and software ready. The 700Z3C is on that list. However, there could well be additional hassle getting everything working on those models which originally shipped with Windows 7.

You aren't the first to see much higher battery drain. I suspect the cause is the absence of the final drivers and Software from Samsung. It would be useful, however, if you could point out this problem to your local Samsung support and try to get them to feed it back to the software development people.

John

 

Out of interest, how will we know when Samsung have fixed these problems?

e.g. Will this thread renamed/deleted or what?

 

Yeah I thought that maybe the case, although I've been reading this thread everyday since release just wanted to see if I'd missed anything.

That list has been updated over the course of this thread as my model wasn't on that list until late friday, so it looks like they are working on it, they're very quiet on twitter though...

I only have a fan issue at present (I believe) so I'm ok waiting

thanks

 

Hi,

can't tell for sure, as I do not have FSX on my machine, but only on the desktop. Did you try to run it in one of the Compatibility Modes? Games-wise, I only tested WoT, giving me about 40fps at high settings without any noticable errors or glitches, and the notebook goes warm, but not hot just as it was in pre-Win 8.1. FSX is quite old as of now, I don't see no reason why it should not run (though CloD which is much newer does not run under Windows 8 even without a hack). There's a new compat mode for 8.1, could be something like Windows XP or the like would lead to better results?

Could also be there is a general FSX issue with Win 8.1. Some people obviously got it working, others not. Interesting read from MS:

Windows 8.1 compatibility for Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Acceleration version 10

Obviously they recommend a fresh install....as "something in the upgrade process breaks FS". Will have to check on my desktop later. Same is true for DCS A10-C.

War Thunder, btw, seems to run ok too, though fps is only around 30, dropping to 24 in the hangar (high settings). IIRC this used to be about 30% faster, but can't tell for sure, as I rarely played that recently. At least it didn't crash, and obiously uses the AMD card, as the Intel one causes black area glitches during the Gaijin clip where that slug does its stun effect or what it's upposed to be

Just a suggestion, though.
-- Chris.

 

Just wondering, as there are detailed instructions on Samsung's support website for upgrading to Windows 8.1 - which render a lot of their machines unusable without some tinkering, has anyone used Samsung's live support chat system to raise this with them and find out what the score is?

I'm not at my PC right now, so not able to do this, but if someone else is in a position to ask them the question (or if many of us could, it might escalate getting a resolution and the appropriate drivers!) we might be able to speed up getting some answers. I'll do this as soon as I'm home from work too!

 

Wow Samsung actually exclude the 2012 series 700Z5A out of the support. It was only last year and now they won't even recognize it. I think we should spam their support pages to let them know to cover everything.

 

I've emailed and tweeted so hopefully they will get back to me!

 

Hmm, "just a fan issue" could potentially damage the pc... I'd find it interesting what kind of fan issue, and also a quick note if it gets actually after an update release. Thanks.

 

I noticed that too, quite disappointing. Maybe since these Sandy Bridge models were designed and originally released in 2011, they feel it's justifiable. They gave us one major Windows update, and that's it.

But Win 8.1 wasn't supposed to be a major update that breaks compatibility and requires all new drivers; it was supposed to be a usability update. So this is a failure on Microsoft's part as well.

I definitely think contacting or writing Samsung is in order. This could still change. But don't expect them to read this forum for clues.

Thanks again to all who post updates and fixes. As mentioned in the OP, it's good if you can include model numbers in your posts, and include quotes when applicable.

We have many conversations going on here, covering many different models. Some have have discrete GPUs (Nvidia OR AMD) and some have integrated Intel GPU (of 3 different generations). As has been pointed out by others, all AMD models are not the same generation and hence need different driver versions and fixes for switchable graphics.

Thanks again, all. Stay patient

 

I say "issue" its just the eco mode (or whatever its called) it normally silences the fan when not carrying out intensive tasks but it doesn't do it for very long since I updated. the laptop still stays relatively cool (thankfully).

Not major just an annoyance.

 

Can somebody with the NP8805ZE confirm that the 8.1 drivers is now out?

I installed Windows 7 when running into the compitablity errors so I can not check with SW Update.

I talked to a Samsung ''tech support'' today and he told that the drivers where out. But I think he is lying and that Samsung has pissed on their leg by letting us update without any working drivers....

Thats said this is not the first time people at samsung tech support has told me lies, it would have been better to say that they will check up and get back to me. I dont wanna install Windows 8.1 just to see that the drivers aint released yet
And I always do clean installs so reverting and reverting back takes some time..


EDIT: I asked also on Samsungs Norwegian Facebook site, a person there told me that he tough the drivers where out and I could find them on Microsoft website? LOL, tried to ask witch Microsoft website but they have not answered yet. I do not think he really understands what I am asking. There are now drivers for Samsung Laptops on ''microsoft sites''

 

Thats more or less the same Ativ 8 book (Core 7 et. al.) like mine, but the one with touch screen while mine has a matte display. Anyway, it obviously shares the same fate like mine, i.e. Samsung driver updates are NOT available via SWUpdate. Even the SWUpdate version that comprises the sole available download is old (2.1.19.0). If I had known that I would open kind of Pandora's box when choosing the Win 8.1 upgrade from Microsoft Store five days ago, i would have thankfully declined that offer. Steer clear from any Microsoft drivers for now and wait for Samsung; Win 8.1 in fact is a huge reinstall of Windows (including windows.old) and the benefits are hardly noticable up to now.

-- Ch.

 

Hey John,
thank's for your reply. SW Update can't find that Model. Do you know where I can find it? Additionally I can't right click to the wifi networks to change preferences. And I can't deactivate my Bluetooth. Looks like problems with the wifi driver. Any solution?

 

Just had a chat with US support, as UK don't have live-chat systems... here's the (abridged) transcript - I've highlighted the important bits...

Anyone in the US available to pester them???

 

when i have to download newest driver do i have to check in the last notebook model released in sw update? is that ok?
in that model i found intel driver 10.18.10.32 and settings 2.2.0.3 but i'm not sure if they work with windows 8.1!!

should i always install driver from sw update? example AMD or intel.

 

Were the "A" and "B" models sold as being Windows 8 compatible? If not, then I doubt that Samsung would feel obliged to make them work with 8.1 although they did provide Windows 8 drivers. Blame Microsoft for going far beyond what is normally a mid-life Windows service pack.

However, it is possible that once all the drivers and software are sorted out then 8.1 may work OK on the older models.

Those versions are listed under Windows Blue (the code name for 8.1) so they should work with 8.1. However, I can't guarantee that they will work properly.

John

 

I (or John) will make changes to the opening post and/or update the thread title to reflect major changes. Obviously our first goal was to spare any users who see the thread from running the update until the drivers are out. Unfortunately that's still where we are now.

I suspect even once we start seeing updates for existing models, it will be a trickle as they work through each model series, rather than all the ketchup leaving the bottle at once.

I don't think my Z3A was spec'ed to be Win8 compatible when I bought it last summer -- though I still expected it would be supported. I was happy when I saw Samsung listing it as officially Win8 supported here. But we have seen that Z5A owners didn't have the same luck with graphics drivers that I had, even though that model is on the list as well.

I think it is not entirely unreasonable for a vendor to only support a laptop for one major OS update. But again, nobody expected 8.1 to break compatibility so badly. Although I blame Microsoft for that, as I posted in the OP, I think Samsung is partly at fault as well even for that part, having relied on a somewhat hacky architecture in their drivers and Settings for a long time. It's just catching up with them now -- and probably why fixing it is so difficult for them now. Again, I am speculating here.

 

i don't have windows blue voice in the list but windows 8.1.
ive just downloaded the new sw update 2.1.21

 

I think they're updating SW Update as I write this - within the last few minutes, the label has changed from "Windows Blue" to "Windows 8.1" under the find model for the NP780Z5E S01UK and similar models!

Although weirdly the SW Update version listed under there (the only application available, at the moment, under Windows 8.1) is already outdated, SW Update has just installed 2.1.21.0 on my machine!

 

Just got a 2.2 settings update for windows 8.1 on my laptop - installed much newer version of Samsung settings - fixes for adaptive brightness etc in there too now.

 

What model do you have?

 

Foolishly installed Windows 8.1 today on my Samsung Series 9 NP900X3C-A05US. Can no longer set display resolution higher than 1600 x 900. I'm also having compatibility issues with my Cisco VPN client. None of which makes any sense. @#$!-ing Microsoft.

Tried rolling back the display driver (Intel HD 4000); same result. This is aggravating beyond belief. Hope someone can figure out a fix, quick!