NP700Z7C-S01UB and Windows 10 install

I bought this used. The previous owner installed Windows 10 32 bit . I do not see a recovery partition anywhere. It has a Win 8 sticker on the bottom. The computer will handle 64 bit easily, being set up for it. I want to install a fresh copy of Win 10 64 bit. I cannot get the darn thing to boot from USB or DVD drives. I can't even access the BIOS without removing the bottom cover and disconnecting the CMOS and regular batteries. F2 and F4 are unresponsive without removing all sources of power temporarily. It won't let me install from within the current Windows installation either. If I make a change in the BIOS and the window comes up with the choices to boot from HD, DVD or Windows Boot menu and I make a choice it just loops back around to that window. Right now the only choice I seem to have it to use the 32 bit Windows installed. Help! I've rebuilt dozens of laptops and many more desktops in the past two decades. This one is driving me bats.

 

Hi Barry McKinzey, welcome to NBR.

This is one of the first models from Samsung after switching from Win7 to Win8, and their UEFI implementation in this generation is prone to getting its NVRAM corrupted, causing exactly the kind of symptoms you describe.

The problem is described in the thread linked below, with a summary of the solution steps in post #7. It basically involves using the BIOS flashing utility with the /cvar /patch parameters, which will clear the corrupted NVRAM.

Samsung Series 7 - NP700Z5C-S03CA: My Last Hope

The biggest challenge for many users in this situation is that they are unable to boot anything at all, making it difficult to run the flashing utility. Since you are able to boot Windows, it will be much easier.

If you are not already on the latest BIOS version, the easiest solution is to simply update the BIOS, which will also clear the NVRAM. Use the safe approach described in this guide.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

 

Thanks for replying. I'll have to get back on it tonight. I will be going to work soon. Thankfully this isn't an urgent problem. I bought it before giving up my old Toshiba. I'm still not sure I'll give the Toshiba up .

 

Since the update utility says I already have the latest bios I will have to try the other method.

 

Where on earth is this sflash? I've downloaded the BIOS using the utility. How do I "run sflash in the folder?" I've opened cmd.exe in the folder.
While attempting to open the BIOS executable I downloaded I checked the temp file referred to but I don't see the files.
Using the SWUpdate program I couldn't even find the BIOS.
I'm in the WIN PE environment right now using Gandalf's Windows 8.1.

 

SW Update has no role in this procedure.

You locate the filename of the latest BIOS update by using the link at the end of @isosunrise's guide, then insert the filename into the download link to get the actual executable. I think you already did that.

As described in the guide, you then extract the contents of the executable by running it as Admin, but DON'T click OK to let it proceed with flashing (which will fail anyway because you're already on the latest). While the prompt is still open, copy the files from the TEMP folder, then click CANCEL to close the program.

Sflash or WinFlash should be among the files you copied from the TEMP folder.

Some members recently reported how the TEMP folder was empty and they were unable to extract the files using this procedure. In that case, you'll have to find an older BIOS update file. That's OK because you don't actually flash it, you merely use the flashing utility with the /cvar /patch parameters to clear NVRAM. Finding these older versions is tricky, but in your case I would search the cached BIOS list in isosunrise's guide for your PlatformID, then download the latest you can find.

You can do all the prepping on any computer. You only use WinPE on the NP700Z7C to actually run the flashing utility to clear NVRAM. I thought you were able to boot Windows (albeit 32-bit). Maybe I misunderstood. In any case great that you are able to boot some form of Windows.

Again, please keep us updated.

 

Was looking in wrong Temp folder on wrong drive. Confusing in PE environment.
I am able to boot to Windows, when the HDD is attached. To get it to boot to the USB stick . . .
I click the SFlash and a window pops up real quick and goes away. Argh. So I right clicked and opened a command prompt and typed in SFlash64.exe /cvar /patch and hit enter. It says it flashed it successfully. Now I will reassemble things to check.

 

There is no joy in Mudville.

Edit, wait a minute. . . There may be a chance this is booting from the DVD

Holy crap on Tuesday's toast. It is getting files ready for installation. Time to go away and eat lunch. Not the aforementioned toast however.

 

Are we talking about this guide from isosunrise: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/samsung-laptops-roll-back-bios-updates.696197/#post-8940344

 

Yes, that's the one.

Once you cleared the NVRAM and are able to enter BIOS normally (with F2), next challenge is to install Windows without falling into the pitfalls of the iSSD used by ExpressCache. Best to install from DVD, not USB stick.

There is a Windows guide linked in the Samsung Forum Sticky List.

 

I tried to use the bios finder on page 16 but it failed.
I still don't think F2 works. I don't know why it allowed me to boot from DVD this time. It is still installing Windows at the moment. I chose to format the HDD and do a clean install.
I suppose I should go find the guide to see if I did anything wrong. Perhaps should have read it first.

 

It seems Windows 10 is loaded and running. F2 still doesn't work though.

 

It is running Win10 64 bit. I still need to replace the keyboard. The two keys are probably just plain broken. The bottom plastic cover is worse for wear considering I have had it apart multiple times in the last two days.