np700g7c-s02uk factory recovery disc or fix to F4?

Hello all,

I did post a long time ago but am wondering if things have changed in the time since I posted

I managed to kill my F4 recovery on my np700g7c-s02uk (Windows 8) by imaging with Acronis and then wiping it thinking I was all sensible but of course it kills the F4. I can restore the partitions but recovery won't work anymore. All to do with GTP partitions or such.

I saw there is a new version of Acronis out now, 2014. Is it possible this might fix it with the image I have or am I out of hope?

Now, I don't think I can fix what I have done but I wondered if there is a way to get hold of a disc to fix it? Are there 3rd party websites that are reputable and can sell me this, or is it something I can download anywhere? I believe it is the Admin disc that I should have created in the first place or is this unique to the computer?

 

Hi icewolf,

Yeah, that sucks. It's actually not because of GPT that Acronis fails to restore F4: It also happens if you image and restore Recovery partitions on older models with MBR disks. The problem is that Samsung Recovery Solution depends on a link hidden in the partition table entry for the Recovery partition, and Acronis doesn't understand that link and destroys it when it restores the partition. And it's not just Acronis, but all 3rd party imaging tools.

Unfortunately there is no easy and simple fix (as I think you realized). Of course it is possible that a newer Acronis version is smarter about this, but I don't know if your current backup contains the necessary information to restore the F4 link.

What you need is some way, ANY WAY, to try and boot that Recovery on your disk. That will allow you to create a bootable factory image backup on a 32GB USB stick. While in there, you can also make a regular backup of your Windows state (to any external storage).

This recent post lists some possible things to try.

Please keep us posted on your progress and what (if anything) worked for you.

Edit: Since you have full backups of your Recovery partitions, you have another option, if you can get hold of a USB Admin Tool created on your model (or another SRS6 model). That will allow you to re-image your drive, including working (but empty) Recovery partitions. You would then have to copy the file and folder contents from the backed up Recovery partitions to the newly created ones.

This post outlines the process (based on SRS5, though it's almost the same for SRS6). This post elaborates more (based on SRS6) and is part of a lengthy discussion with a member in exactly the same situation as you.

 

Hi there,

As it turns out I found a solution. I managed to get hold of an SRS6 admin and created a bootable USB from it that I used to wipe the drive and create partitions that matched (mostly) what I had before.

I was then able to boot into TrueImage 2013 and one by one copy the old partitions back over the partitions that were created before, I probably didn't need to but to be 100% sure I replaced all partitions except the Windows one.

I was then able to boot into F4 and do a restore. I am now back into a fresh, factory version of Windows including all of its Samsung stuff.

Looking at the post you made in the thread you mentioned I stumbled across basically the same way. Great minds obviously think alike!

I think I could now install my fresh clean install of 8.1 Pro as long as I leave the partitions alone I should always be able to restore? Or would it be better to create a factory image first? Does the factory image allow you to boot USB and restore everything as if it had never been wiped? i.e. I could use all available disk space?

Am I allowed to post the link to another forum from where I got the image?

 

Excellent, good job there!

Assuming it is a legal SRS6 Admin download, you can post the link here along with the steps you took. That would be great. But if the download is one that breaks copyrights (which I fear it might) we cannot allow it or discuss it here. Even providing steps for googling it would be a violation in that case.

And yes, you should be able to clean install Win8 (or 8.1) on the current Windows partition (format it first from within Setup). Personally I would wait with 8.1 until Samsung has released updated drivers and Settings, since the current ones are not working fully in 8.1.

Again, great job there. I am glad you got it working!

 

I don't know if it is allowed, best I don't and just create my own from the image I took.

I hope Samsung do release updated drivers but the ones it currently provides aren't fully compatible with Windows 8 already (Modeshift stops Windows 8 Pro working properly and lets not even go into the Wireless issues!)

I have Windows 8.1 from a Dreamspark membership but I can appreciate it isn't fully out yet so when it is maybe Samsung will catch up.

But yes, luckily I had backed up the image, just very important for everyone to know that you must back it up using the provided utilities, but I guess a lot of us make the same mistake!

 

You're absolutely right, this happens to many people. That's why we recommend owners to make that bootable factory image backup -- and to do it soon after they get the PC, NOT wait until they wish they had made it.

I almost forgot you're using G7C. So you're saying even though Samsung delivers it with Win8 (as in your case) ModeShift and other features still don't work right?

At least on other models, Win8 runs pretty well when used with later versions of Settings (2.0.0.55 has been great, while the newer 2.1.x lack some features). I know many users still install Easy Settings in Win8 -- which is the cause of some problems, it's a mess already in Win7. You can read more about that in the thread linked below.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/729139-settings-easy-settings-what-you-need-know.html

And again, hopefully Samsung will release all new drivers and Settings for all models when 8.1 comes out.

 

On windows 8 Pro modeshift stops windows update working on my laptop. It seems to work on the non Pro version but I never managed to work out why it caused it to fail. There is also some problem with the wifi where it keeps dropping but disabling 'n' stabilises for me at least.

I haven't worked out if I lose anything major by not having modeshift

Samsung support were useless.

But hey, I solved one thing today and Windows 8.1 is certainly an improvement so it's getting there

 

Oh, I remember now seeing that thread some time ago about Modeshift on Win8Pro. I have no experience with Modeshift myself, since it is only used on the G7C. I wasn't sure if it was installed separately or as part of Settings, but looking up the G7C in SW Update, I see it has a separate installer in the Win8 list.

I don't know either what you lose without Modeshift; you could always try uninstalling it and see if you miss anything. I understand it's a lot of visual effect, but if it also changes actual hardware behavior when switching to gaming mode (keyboard, touchpad, display rendering) that may be worth keeping.

Have you tried installing it in compatibility mode? It was obviously written for Win7 originally.

As for WiFi performance and stability, make sure you check the thread linked below. If you haven't been here awhile, it may have some new suggestions for you. Note that once you install Win 8.1, you'll lose the ability to roll back to Win8's built-in WiFi driver -- which many users (though not all) have found to be the best.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/727499-wifi-remedies-samsung-laptops.html

 

Mode shift is for the dial on the right. You can set different power profiles with that. it also seems to let that animated screen show up as well in gamer mode when shifting to it. Very little substance to the program if you ask me............

 

Thanks for chiming in, TANWare. Not having a G7C myself, I was always puzzled how exactly Modeshift works and whether it implements any features that couldn't be selected otherwise.