2013 Series 7 chronos / Ativ Book 8 15" owner's lounge (NP770Z5E / NP780Z5E / NP870Z5E / NP880Z5E)

I figured it was about time this laptop has it's owner's thread since the discussion thread was getting a little bit too big.

This owner's thread will be for the 2013 new series 7 chronos and ativ book 8 15 inch versions:

NP770Z5E - matte, silver
NP780Z5E - touchscreen, silver
NP870Z5E - matte, black
NP880Z5E - touchscreen, black

This thread is mainly for problems, questions, news and sharing experiences.

Some useful links
- Official video from samsung
- Samsung UK download page
- the discussion thread
- My review on the NP770Z5E-S01FR
- Trackpad thread
- Wifi Remedies thread(Dannemand)
- Bloatware List (Dannemand)
- Driver suggestions (Dannemand)
- http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/723676-linux-series-7-2013-a.html(Lekkerkerker)
- How to fix Metro Apps problem (MENTAL1ST)

Drivers/updates

WARNING: This section has not been updated since 2014

- BIOS
Newest BIOS Version: P05ABU (install through SWUpdate) confirmed functional

- Graphics
If you have low framerates on drivers later than 13.10, try unplugging your laptop in-game for a second. I don't know why but it helps a ton in some games.

Pretty important for everyone who needs to unplug in order to have decent performance on AMD 14.x:
install machater's tool for applying leekm's enduro fix. It fixed it for me!!!

Link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...7800-7900-8500-8600-8700-8800-8900m-gpus.html

- Newest Samsung driver (12.9 on windows 8/13.3 on wndows8.1) (not recommended, very slow): install through SWupdate
- Newest working official beta driver windows 8.1 (14.6 beta)(not recommended, many bugs): http://www2.ati.com/drivers/beta/amd-catalyst-14.6-beta-v1.0-windows-may23.exe (only works on windows 8.1 after installing windows updates. Supports mantle.
- Newest working official beta driver windows 8 (14.4 beta): AMD Catalyst 14.4 (14.100.0.0 March 27) Download
- Most stable, not performing as good as post-14.4 (13.10 beta): AMD_Catalyst_13.10_Mobility_Beta.zip - Solidfiles (for install step in installation guide below: unzip file and run setup.exe)
- Recommended Newest whql driver (14..4 whql): http://www2.ati.com/drivers/14-4-win7-win8-win8.1-32-dd-ccc-whql.exe

Installation guide:

Spoiler

How to upgrade to official non-samsung drivers:

1. Update your intel HD4000 drivers through SW update if they are not up-to-date.

2. Go to programs and features and run AMD Catalyst install manager. Check "Express Uninstall all AMD software" and run it.
Reboot after it's done.

2.b Only do this step if you're usig LeekM's drivers: disable driver signature enforcement and reboot. Explained by LeekM himself here: LeeKM's Modded Drivers: How to disable the ‘Driver Signature Enforcement’ on Windows

3. Download the AMD drivers from the links above

4. Install them.

5. Reboot.

FAQ

- How to fix WiFi-Problems?
Thanks a lot to DamoUK for this very good guide:

Spoiler

- How do I force a program to use the dedicated gpu?
Press the Windows button and look for the switchable graphics app. Than you can search for any program and set a power profile for it.

- My notebook seems to underperform in intense programs?
Is your notebook plugged in and did you make sure the program uses the dedicated gpu? If that doesn't help press Fn F1 for the samsung settings and go to the General settings >silent mode. Disable it if enabled. Fn F11 works too.

- My battery won't charge fully (stops at 80%)?
Press Fn F1 for the samsung settings and go to the Power Management settings. Disable Battery life extender if you want a fully charged battery. Enable it if you want your battery to wear out less.

- I can't close the laptop without a reboot.
Deinstall Intel HD4000 Driver and reinstall it with the drivers from SW Update (thanks j4bsteR)

- How to install an SSD?
(only you are responsible if something happens to go wrong)
This is Black83's awesome tutorial :

Spoiler

Tutorial by Dannemand on USB Recovery backup and re-imaging an SSD:

Spoiler

- Why is my RAM usage so high?
Samsung pre-installed a program called intellimemory. This uses your RAM for cashing. Some may find it usefull but to me it just eats up too much RAM.
You can uninstall it in the control panel > uninstall a program.

- Why won't my browser fully load my webpages?
This is a windows 8 bug.
In Chrome, go to history (ctrl+h) and click delete browser history. Select delete "from the beginning of time". You only need to delete browser history and cache. So check those 2 and click delete. This fixes it for a few days, although you'll have to repeat it every now and then when it happens again.
Firefox has the same bug apparently. (thanks Phelan for the info). Wiping cache should fix it.
Update: uninstalling samsung support center should also get rid of the problem. (Thank you Billain)

- Why is my screen so dim, even at maximum brightness? (How to disable adaptive screen brightness?)
Left click on the battery icon. Click on more options. Next, click adjust power plan settings next to the power plan on which you have the problem. Click on the advanced settings and go to display. Click on the adaptive brightness settings and turn it off. Your screen will now only change if you adjust it yourself and you will always have the option to set the screen brightness to its maximum. Even in complete darkness.

- Why does everything on my screen look less sharp than it should?
For the best sharpness go to control panel> Appearances and personalization> Display> Make text and other items larger or smaller and set it to 100%.

Additional tutorials

- How to overclock past 850/1250

Spoiler

1. Download MSI afterburner, install and search for MSIAfterburner.cfg. Open it with notepad.

2. Set these values from 0 to 1:
UnofficialOverclockingEULA = 1
UnofficialOverclockingMode = 1

3. Save and close the file.

4. Search and run regedit. This is the registry editor. If you fail to find it it should be in this folder: C:\Windows

5. Do a backup of your registry in case something goes wrong. You can do this with regedit. Click file>export and save it where you'd like to save it.

6. Go to this folder: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

7. You should see a few folders with the names 0000,0001,0002 (maybe some more).

8. Open the first folder of these and look for EnableUIps. If it's there, double click it and set its value to 0. If it's not there go to the next folder. Repeat the steps to change EnableUIps's value to 0 in each folder until you have gone through all folders with 4 digits within the {4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} folder.

9. Close regedit and Reboot without opening msi afterburner.

10. Remember that overclocking is at your own risk and that it can damage your parts if not done cautiously!!!

I'd recommend to slowly build up the clocks and do tests like 3Dmark11 and games to check for stability. Also remember to monitor your temps. It's best to keep the back of your laptop lifted a bit to prevent overheating.

To prevent GPU throttling, even at stock clocks, put the power limit at +20%.

11. Have fun!

- How to perfom a clean install.
Thanks you Obyboby

Spoiler

Thanks you Dannemand

Spoiler

- How to make your laptop boot with Num Lock on

Spoiler

1. Search and run regedit. This is the registry editor. If you fail to find it it should be in this folder: C:\Windows

2. Do a backup of your registry in case something goes wrong. You can do this with regedit. Click file -> export and save it where you'd like to save it.

3. Go to this folder: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard

4. Go to InitialKeyboardIndicators, double click it and set its value to 2.

5. Close regedit

- How to disable ATI GPU when it is broken (BIOS unlock)
Thank you @tqbinh

Spoiler

- How fix brightness control
Thank you @Pipic12 (quoted below) and @faeterov who first mentioned this fix here

Spoiler

 

I'll start with my questions:
Did anyone get newer graphics drivers to work? If so, how?

I'm getting this bug in chrome that webpages won't load fully and look weird the first time I go to them. Anyone else having this?

 

Great
Maybe make it for the 880z5e/870z5e as well
I don't think we need a separate thread for the s01ub, as almost all of the problems that will arise will apply to both of the models.
17" is quite different and does need a different thread, IMO

 

Agreed, but are we sure that everything will be the same except for the colour?

 

Great initiative, pranktank

I agree with that.

I am a bit split on this. My first instinct was the same (it's quite different). On the other hand, many issues discussed will be covering both 15" and 17" models -- and so we end up repeating the same questions and answers in two different threads.

Since the large volume of discussion posts was already taken care of in the original pre-announcement thread, I wonder if a combined "2013 Series 7 Chronos Owners Lounge" thread couldn't work for both 15" and 17" models -- and still remain manageable in size.

Just a thought. I don't own either (though I'd love to have the Z7E) and should leave that decision to actual owners

 

Someone has pointed out that the 870Z5E/880Z5E shares the same platform.

It may be appropriate for the 8870m AMD graphics family on Samsung notebooks to have its own thread. I anticipate a significant amount of discussion on that subject which may be hard to find in more general threads. The Series 7 WiFi thread is an example of the benefit of keeping a specific thread.

John

PS: It would be appropriate for a graphics thread to be started by someone who has this notebook and a strong interest in the graphics performance. They can then keep the first post updated with the latest information.

 

Good point, John.

 

I ordered my NP7705ZE-S01FR (since I'm French) yesterday ! I just can't wait laying my hands on the beast, and your review didn't help in that regard.

If I'm right, you're planning on replacing the slow 1 To HDD 5400rpm by a SSD soon. I'm probably going to do the same, but I want to experience Windows 8 before I decide whether to install W8 or W7 on the SSD. I'm not sure all the drivers will perform as they're supposed to on W7 but I'm confident people on this forum will be helpful to me in many ways

I'll probably come back for help when starting the HDD -> SSD replacement process (or before that if I happen to run into some trouble).

 

Hi guys

I've had this laptop for 2 weeks now - NP780Z5E (8850m, Core i5 version with touchscreen)

I absolutely love this thing...

The first thing you notice about it is the stunning looks and the build quality. It really feels like a premium product in every way and it's like a different world compared to my old laptop.

The screen is also fantastic. The colours and sharpness are amazing and I find the touchscreen to be very responsive and easy to use.

Next up the keyboard. I have to admit it took me a few days to get used to it because the keys are pretty spaced, but now I have it's a joy to type on.

The same with the touchpad - it's great after a little getting used to. My only criticism is that it's off centre and a little to the left of the laptop. I would ideally prefer it to be in the middle of the latop because I sometimes find myself right-clicking when I want a normal click - but I'm sure I'll live with it.

The battery is fantastic - I've never used a laptop with such great battery life! I use it mostly for web browsing, graphics and word processing and the battery will last for around 8 or 9 hours.

I'm also impressed by the speed. I've yet to do anything where the response hasn't been instant.

I did have a couple of issue with the software when I first got it but these are to do with Windows 8 rather than the laptop itself (e.g. I had a issues with Office 2007 icons showing properly - but I resolved this quickly)

Somebody above mentioned that they had an issue with Chrome not displaying web pages correctly and requiring a refresh. I had this exact issue (and also with Firefox) but after reading some advice on another forum I uninstalled the Samsung Support Center and the issue has gone. Sounds like you have the same issue so I would recommend doing that.

All in all I love it.

I paid £899 at PCWorld but the price has now gone up to £999 so feel like I got a decent deal too.

Dan

 

I'm a pretty fast typist, normally getting around 100wpm on wpm tests
I did the same test yesterday and got 127wpm
I love this keyboard!