Samsung Laptops - Roll Back Bios Updates?

There is my utility, that help to find Samsung BIOS



SamsungBIOSFinder.exe

Moderator note: There is a discussion starting at post #298 (here) about how to use this utility. Thank you to @osfrolov for sharing it.

2018-11-04: It appears the download link is no longer working. A zipped version of the utility has been attached to this post.

 

So how does it work?

Does it just try all the dates and BIOS numbers within the defined range or is it cleverer?

John

 

Yes, it just try all dates and Ids from defined range.

 

It took a long time to find them but if anyone else wants BIOS for ACX (NP900X3F):

http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20130503_1114_WIN_P00ACX.exe
http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20131023_21240_WIN_P01ACX.exe
http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20131114_21272_WIN_P02ACX.exe

The trick to finding them seems to be that between 2013-07-26 and 2013-08-01, the ID numbers of all BIOS updates went up by 10000, and then again between 2013-09-26 and 2013-10-01. Even with this knowledge, I still had to check many thousands of URLs.

 

Hey guys! I'm new to this thread.

I have a really ty problem with my touchscreen! I really hope that somebody can help me here!

I'm pretty sure that it's a BIOS problem. So here's the situation:

I have a "Samsung ATIV Book 9 NP940X3G-K01DE Plus".

I have deleted Windows 8 (because I don't like it) and instead I have installed two operating systems: Ubuntu and Windows 7.

A week ago I have updated my BIOS (using the SW Update software of Samsung on Windows 7) to the latest version P03ACJ. The touchscreen worked perfectly fine after that on both Ubuntu and Windows 7. Then, last Saturday (08 March 2014) the SW Update software recommended me under Windows 7 to update my touchscreen driver to a newer version. I have done that and after restarting Windows 7 the touchscreen wasn't working anymore. It literally disappeared!!! First I thought that it's just a Windows 7 driver problem. But after I rebooted and started Ubuntu, also there the system did not recognize any touchscreen devices! So, the touchscreen-capability of my monitor is gone!!!

Because I have planned to reinstall both Ubuntu and Windows 7 anyway (even before that touchscreen-problem occurred), I have finally done that yesterday. And again: On both freshly installed operating systems there is no touchscreen-capability of my monitor being recognized!

So: It has to be a problem with the BIOS.

Before I start sending in my Laptop to Samsung, I wanted to ask you guys if you could help me to flash and reinstall my BIOS.

1.) Does anyone here know a link to the current BIOS version of the "Samsung ATIV Book 9 NP940X3G-K01DE Plus" which has the version-number P03ACJ?
2.) Does anyone maybe also know the link to the pre-version? Unfortunately, I do not know the number of the pre-version.
3.) After I have the two BIOS exe-files, do I flash and re-install the BIOS using the steps with Winflash which are posted by "isosunrise" on the first page of this thread?

Many thanks to all of you in advance!!!!

 

Are you 100% sure there is no switch somewhere (Settings / Easy Settings to turn on / off the touchscreen? Did you try the BIOS option to reset to the default values?

You can use the stand-alone BIOS Update program (link in first post of this thread) to check for, and download, the current BIOS.

You can use the simple program posted by osfrolov a few posts up this thread to search iteratively by date and BIOS number range for your previous BIOS.

John

 

Not sure if you are experiencing BIOS problems, but here they are.

http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20130930_11216_WIN_P02ACJ.exe

http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20140224_21319_WIN_P03ACJ.exe

 

Hi guys,

First of all, sorry for my English. I'm a brazilian guy.

I have a Samsung NP530UC with Win 8 and want to install Win 7. I have the pendrive with Win 7 boot loader.

I was trying to boot up from my pendrive but had no success and I entered in setup bios to check why. But insanely I disabled all boot options (Shift +1) including the SETUP option and let only USB HDD enabled. Now my laptop is stuck in loop showing Samsung logo and restarting.

How can I reset the BIOS configuration to enable the other boot options, basically to enter on BIOS Setup again.

Thank you in advance.

 

Hello jhosefmax, welcome to NBR.

There are some definite gotcha's when downgrading Samsung laptops (and any brand) from Win8 to Win7. You want to read the posts here and here. If you decide to proceed, then follow the exact steps in this install guide, including the backup (because your disk will be wiped), converting your disk and changing your BIOS settings.

As described in that install guide, there are also some additional issues when installing Windows from a USB flash drive on your model (and others with ExpressCache). Installing from a DVD is much easier.

But first we need to get you back into your BIOS. First you can try and hold the power button down for about 10secs, then see if you can enter BIOS on next power on. Otherwise try the deeper BIOS/CMOS reset described in John's post here.

And don't worry, your English is fine, I understood you no problem

 

Anyone has the link for 900X3C-A01 firmware versions? After at least 6 months I started SW Update on my wife's laptop and it offered a firmware update after which she experiences slowdowns and such. The funny thing is, I can't really see any recent firmware updates on support pages.. I'll have to check what the current version is.

 

Hello Dannemand,

I've tried the John's deeper CMOS reset tutorial following the steps: Unplug power, disconnect battery poking the little hole, hold down power button for a minute and plug power. But it didn't does any effect. The laptop keep restarting just after show Samsung logo.

I must point that I didn't update my BIOS. I just would like to install win 7 from USB HDD. I entered in the setup (Bios) at the Boot Order and I had:
1-Windows Boot Manager
2-HDD
3-USB FDD
4-Setup
5-USB HDD
6... 7 ..8... (not important)
I disabled all including Setup and let only USB HDD active. But after F10, save and restart, BAM!! Always restart when I turn on.

Could you or someone help me on this?

Thanks.

 

My next thought: Does your notebook have Express Cache?

If so, it causes problems when installing Windows as documented in this thread because some of the boot files end up in the wrong place.

John

 

So I basically tried the instructions in the first post and can't seem to get it to work. I downloaded P06AAL from the samsung website and the temp folder has a setup.exe(which seems to be afuwin) and biosec.rom. I tried running it first and it says something like newer version installed, program will exit. I tried running it via command line like in the first post and it just doesn't work. The system seems to hang even if I leave it for awhile. I even tried downloading afuwinx64.exe from the official website and same problem.

Latest bios and version on my system is P10AAL for Model NP350V5C-S01CA. I want to downgrade because I never used to have fan problems and now it just shuts off when it overheats instead of turning the fan up.

Any help or insight on why it won't work in my case? Can't understand why first poster could downgrade but I can't!

 

Unfortunately, I can't add anything. I don't have personal experience of trying to jump through these hoops. The Series 3 notebooks may use a different platform from the other Samsung notebooks which could create some differences in the BIOS structure and flashing process.

Did you try a BIOS reset to see if it will fix the fan behaviour? First do the reset to defaults that should be in the BIOS options. If that doesn't work then try the CMOS reset by (i) disconnect mains (ii) remove / disconnect the battery (iii) hold down the power button for 30 seconds.

Otherwise, you will have to try to find someone sympathetic in Samsung technical support who is willing to log a report of the new BIOS having corrupted fan rules.

John

 

Is the CMOS reset supposed to restore a previous version i.e. P06AAL? Or is it just settings reset with the current bios.

I just tried it and the bios version is the same as before P10AAL. Default settings don't change much except UEFI from on to off and CPU Power saving from off to on. If there are hidden settings then it hasn't fixed anything with the fan.

I will note though that immediately at power on the fan does go to full speed for a second or two before the OS loads. That's the speed I was used to hearing in prior BIOS versions.

 

The CMOS reset just clears configuration settings. There are occasional problems of these settings that were OK for one BIOS version cause headaches when the BIOS is upgraded.

The only way to change the BIOS is by reflashing it.

Have you searched through the BIOS update package to see if there is a batch or script file that contains the commands that Samsung uses to update the BIOS?

John

 

Hi guys, been working on trying to downgrade my laptop for a while. I've finally found the bios executable and got hold of all the extracted files etc. But I'm struggling to actually finish the flash. If you take a look at the picture below you can see what stages the utility completes. I've changed the switches to the ones in the first post of this thread because these fix the error i had with "18 - Error: unable to start Secure Flash session". However this secure flash is causing more problems now as it completes quite a lot of the flash then fails.

I'm not sure if it has completed actually flashing the BIOS because its completer the Erasing and Updating phase, I'm rather un-inclined to reboot it at the moment because I don't know whether the BIOS is actually functional after this. I'd be extremely grateful to any advice you could offer me, maybe a switch is missing or I'm doing something wrong.

Many thanks.

 

It's done the erasing, updating and verifying so I think you have a working BIOS.

I wonder if the BIOS Updating program includes an extra component for a secure flash (whatever that may be - possibly UEFI related) but the BIOS update file did not include the relevant material so the process was aborted.

John

 

Yeh thanks John, it was a working BIOS, I was probably in secure boot when i was doing this so that might be why?

 

There might be another switch that we don't know about which will avoid the message. I don't think the Samsung BIOS updates produce the same message.

John

 

Yeh i just did an update through samsung's utility and it's bios command was "afuwinx64 P07ABW.cap /p /b /n /e /r"

 

It would make perfect sense that SecureBoot prevents flashing, except by official vendor provided tools with signed certificates. If so, we should probably include warnings about it in this thread. I am outside my field of expertise here, though, so I'll leave it to others to test and draw conclusions.

 

Apologies for the delayed reply. I hadn't noticed this previously.

I think the X3C has the same BIOS as the X4C in which case the file names of previous versions are:
ITEM_20120825_636_WIN_P04AAC.exe
ITEM_20121126_861_WIN_P05AAC.exe
ITEM_20130219_1005_WIN_P06AAC.exe

You can check your BIOS details using the BIOS Update program from the Samsung Download Center.

John

 

hello all,

I have 2 days ago updated the bios on my series 7 laptop (NP740U3E-S02UK) to P07ABW
NOW HIBERNATION no longer works.

I would like to re-install the older bios version but do not know where to find it (I believe I was on P06ABW.
Can Anybody help ?

I have seen instructions in message 3 of the following thread here in the forum. Anybody used these instructions ?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...nsor-series-5-ultra-np530u3c.html#post9455595

Thanks and regards
Robert

 

First I would try re-enabling hibernation. See this if you haven't tried already.

If that doesn't work there's a link in this thread to BIOS P03ABW. You can use the same methodology (a simple program posted a bit further up this thread) to search the BIOS database for P06ABW.

John

 

Hello all,

This is just an update to my message #174.

After several reboots with alternating hibernation disabled / enabled the system works again fine.. :hi2:
I have NO idea what was wrong and why it took several such cycles to get it back to work.

Phew, I am happy again.

Robert

 

Hi fellas,

Has anyone figured out a solution to SFlash error 182, which prevents older versions of BIOS being flashed over the newer version (Actually I'm not sure if this is universal problem or something that's messed with P10ABK BIOS update specifically)

Some deets:

I'm using a Series 9 X4C

I saw the SFlash link on page 15 by user John Ratsey, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to apply to .cap files

I also saw on page 15 that user fearbrain might have found a workaround; if its a solution I would love to get a little more detail on what he/you did to achieve it.

Sorry if the solution is already posted elsewhere, but I couldn't find it after a considerable amount of time browsing through the forums. If it's been posted point me the right direction.


Actually if no ones got a solution maybe there are other workarounds for my problem?

Since flashing the new P10ABK BIOS, my laptops CPU and Memory is registering around 30-40% usage on idle, and graphics are all choppy at times (most of the times).

I tried pretty much everything I could think of including reinstalling drivers but nothing, so I'm pretty convinced its a BIOS problem.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any insights you might be able to provide.

 

Hello, i have the samsung np-r429, I have the Win_R428_R478R429R439_Pack_04.exe bios update file, after extract i have this folder, It's not cointain the .rom file but have the .wph file!
So what should i do, i want to roll back from 12nz to 11nz version of Bios!

 

Hello, I have an Samung NP355v5c-s0c. I have the last version of bios, but it seems to me that flashed one is corrupted (i can load windows only via one-time-boot menu, in UEFI mode video card is not working with "code 43" error and some other stuff). I want just to reflash my current one, but when I've downloaded the latest BIOS version, it extracted just two files - the ROM file and some "setup.exe". I launched setup.exe by double-clicking, then in my task manager a strange process named "WinFlash Setup" has appeared. There is no other files but these two. What commands should I follow to reflash my bios? Do I need just to rename setup.exe into winflash.exe?

Thanks in advance.
Oleg

BTW, I am deeply sorry for my bad english, hope you can understand my thoughts.

 

I think you'll just have to do some searching. This advice might help.

It looks like Setup.exe is running Winflash.exe, probably with some commands. The list here may help you decide what commands you need. Perhaps /svs to skip the version check.

Normally it is better to run the BIOS updates in a DOS command window (Start > Search > cmd.exe). You might also be able to capture what commands Samsung's Setup.exe is issuing by redirecting the output to a file by typing Setup.exe > list.txt then looking in list.txt to see the commands. The existing PHLASH.log gile might also contain some clues.

John

 

The SFlash error 182 - "BIOS Image is equal or older than ROM cap" seems to be general. It happens to me on a NP700Z7C-S03DE when trying to Flash BIOS version P03ABP.cap

I want to flash because I cannot enter the BIOS with function key F2.

BIOS is now in CSM (compatibility support mode) with Fast Boot disabled.

I managed to enter the BIOS from Linux installed in UEFI Mode by using efibootmgr. This command line tool allows to set UEFI variables. I set the UEFI BOOTNEXT variable to setup and when I rebooted the machine booted to BIOS setup. There I enabled CSM and disabled Fastboot. I also changed the Bootorder to USB first, then CDROM and then HDD but that had no effect, the machine always boots from HDD.

So now I can no longer enter BIOS (because UEFI and the BOOTNEXT variable are gone), and I cannot boot from CDROM.

But I can use Grub Bootmanger to boot from a bootable Windows 8 PE USB stick from where I tried to reflash the BIOS.

So i would appreciate any solution to get the BIOS flashed with SFlash32.exe. The switch /sa for skip all tests does not work and /sforce need a admin Password that I don't know.

 

Hello.
I would like to extract 02QR and 03QR of bios because of crash with sabi driver. The problem is that I cannot even launch bios update *.exe without sabi. So sabi didn't work because of bios and bios cannot be downgraded because of sabi. Could someone be nice to extract ROM of this BIOS versions?

Thanks in advance,
Dralor

 

Hi!
I have samsung 5 series NP535U3C-A01US I updated software using samsung SW updater, there were several updates it suggested including bois Update, well I chose all and left laptop alone to do it's things. After I come back and it wanted restart but now my laptop will not start anymore. When I pres power button wifi and power led turns on and fan too but nothing happens, I cannot get to bois too. I made battery disconnection too, didn't help
Can anyone knows what's wrong??

 

Your experience sounds very similar to that in this thread so check if you have worked through all the options identified there.

My only other suggestion is, if some of the RAM is soldered, then to take out any removable RAM. Samsung introduced something in its BIOS updates starting late 2013 which killed up support for some RAM modules. If the BIOS, when loading, can't identify all the RAM then the boot process stops.

John

 

Hi again!

Finally I’m back at home..
So I look that thread you suggested, well after all these updated SW updater said that all updates where successful and it needs restart, so I did it, and after that my pc didn't work anymore (happened as I said before). But reading this thread I noticed that there has been problem with Windows 8.1 Update. Before I started SW updater win8 has notification that there is win8.1 update available, so I clicked it (win started to download this) but I am not sure how far it reached with downloading/installing. (Wonder is it really possible Windows Update to brick device :O???
Your previous suggestion to remove RAM, well, there were no RAM in slot behind back cover.
Any ideas?

 

Other suggestions for trying to resurrect a dead notebook are in this thread.

John

 

HI

I have a Samsung 700 NPG7C 001UK and would like to rollback to an older bios version but i cant find it. The link to bios list does not work (got following message: BIOSItemList Web Service method name is not valid.)

The problem is that after the update my system boots over 2 minutes..
Im stuck

 

Did you try resetting the BIOS to default values (tap Fn + F2 a few times immediately after starting the computer to enter the BIOS setup)? If that has no effect then try resetting the CMOS by disconnecting the mains power, disconnecting / removing the battery and then hold down the power button for a minute. A further variation of this method is to also disconnect the CMOS battery and leave the computer for a couple of days.

If that has no effect then try looking again for the BIOS. Maybe the server had a problem. If you haven't come across it already there is a program further up this thread to help hunt for an individual BIOS.

John

 

I am guessing you meant tap F2 to enter BIOS -- although maybe holding Fn won't hurt. At least that's how it works on my Series 7.

 

You're right.

I'm getting it confused with Fn+F1 to enter (Easy) Settings.

And another route to the BIOS is F10 (the one-time boot menu) which also includes an option to enter the BIOS setup.

John

 

John! Huge favour to ask mate!! I need to roll back to an X4C bios earlier than P04AAC (ideally P03AAC?) so i can then upgrade to P04AAC - the last working bios since i installed a 256 Crucial m4 Sata SSD. I can't find a working link to the XML feed anywhere on the web (all file downloads are corrupt / won't open?). Could you a) be so kind as to provide this bios executable file b) interested in your thoughts as to why the Crucial doesn't work with any bios after P04 - sneaking suspicion is there may be a firmware update for the SSD but i'm scared of firmware updates for life after this debacle.. c) provide an updated working link to the Samsung bios list just in case i need in future? Really appreciate your help - this is my primary PC for my personal business and i am freaking out... Mike :thumbsup:

 

The oldest X4C BIOS I know about is P04AAC since that's the oldest BIOS file I've got stored although it's likely the computer shipped with P03AAC.

However, I was using a 256GB m4 in my X4C for over a year and it coexisted with P05AAC and P06AAC without any problems. Did you try (i) resetting the BIOS to defaults and (ii) clearing the CMOS (disconnect mains power, disconnect battery by poking a straightened paperclip or similar through the hole in the bottom and then holding down the power button for a minute).

Also, my own experience of the Crucial firmware updates is that they were hassle free and didn't mess up whatever was on the SSD.

But what exactly is your problem of your m4 on X4C.

John

 

I ended up reinstalling whole system because the windows froze completely while loading. Turned out that service pack 1 was the cause of the problem (Win 7 pro x64)...
What gives..

 

Windows with all those updates and patches can often turn into a mess and rarely fixes any underlying corruption.

I've had a lot of fun D) trying to install the right updates in the correct sequence with the various reboots so that they eventually all go through. Trying to do too many together can result in something failing and then Windows spends longer rolling back than it spent trying to apply the updates.

John

 

Thanks for getting back to me John. I tried the suggested reset bios and CMOS - no love. Essentially i get a BSOD (blue screen of death) about 3 seconds into the windows 7 loading splash screen (so Widnows 7 starts to load aftr bios check, 2 seconds into splash screen - BSOD every time. Switch back to my old original SSD - boots fine on latest bios and all subsequent bios's). My easiest path to get a working computer at this point appears to be the rolling back to P04AAC which i can't do i one hit with WinFlash because it doesn't update MICOM (and i don't have Afuwinx64 / can't seem to source it to do a complete roll back in one hit) I have confirmed either bios P03AAC or P02AAC are in existence, i just can't locate the files anywhere on the net. Can you please send the XML / list to the samsung driver DB so i can source myself / provide either 02 or 03 if you happen to dig them up? Really desperate at this point... Another day wasted

 

OhhhhhhhhhhhhhhK! So i just worked the problem out.

Managed to find a P03AAC bios file - rolled back and forward to P04AAC successfully (last known working bios) and the problem still occur ed (BSOD on windows boot)

Experience medium to large panic attack.
PA abated

Went through every possible option in bios switching on / off - turns out AHCI must be disabled and computer boots perfectly again. !

Yet to test this setting with latest P07AAC bios but my suspicion is that this option is on 'by bios default' and hence when i reset bios - it still BSOD. Weird that this only occurs with the m4 Crucial 256 HD plugged in?! Must be a firmware issue that i need to update on the Crucial - will update and report back.

Now - time to do some work!

 

AHCI is the right mode to use but it looks like Windows has lost the AHCI driver or there's a subtle issue with the AHCI configuration on your m4.

There are various places giving advice on how to add the AHCI driver to a Windows installation. Here's one. Or here's another discussion of a similar problem.

John

 

Your problem sounds like a broken AHCI driver. I had a similar problem and fixed it by temporarily replacing the AHCI driver with the ATAPI / IDE driver to get the system up.

Try this:
1. Reboot from CD / USB and open a CMD prompt
2. Find the appropriate driver letter for your (now broken) C: drive (try D:, E: and so on). For the next step I assume it is E:
3. Change to the drivers directory:
E:
CD \Windows\System32\drivers
4. Rename iaStorA.sys to iaStorA.something (this is the culprit)
5. Copy the IDE driver (atapi.sys) as iaStorA.sys (e.g. copy atapi.sys iaStorA.sys)
6. Reboot.
If all goes OK you can now update (=fix) the broken AHCI driver (Intel RST) in the device manager. You can download the latest version from the Intel web site.
There is no need to change to IDE mode first.

 

I have Samsung Ativ 4.
I updated my bios from P01RBG to P08RBG. Unfortunately after update my SSD can't reach SATA3 speeds. It is limited to SATA2, regardless of BIOS settings.

I want to downgrade my bios.

I found version P06RBG, but it is not unnpacking if i launch it. Could you help me?
http://sbuservice.samsungmobile.com/upload/BIOSUpdateItem/ITEM_20131213_21284_WIN_P06RBG.exe

 

I don't think that the BIOS has locked down the SATA performance but the way the hardware is described to Windows may have changed.

I would therefore first try other measures such as reinstalling the chipset and Intel Rapid Storage drivers but it may first be worthwhile uninstalling the storage controller in Device Manager, rebooting and letting Windows re-detect the hardware and install the appropriate driver.

John