Windows 7 on Samsung Q45: Utopia?
I have bought this nice laptop about two years ago. And when Windows 7 came to a finalized state, I wished to replace my anemia Vista by this new system from Redmond. The installation ran like a charm; and everything seemed to work properly; till i try the function keys. I realized that absolutly no function keys were working. And for a laptop, it’s deadly to not be able to adjust sound level and, even worse, the screen brightness. So it became a ‘sticky’ laptop for a while on my desktop, untill i found a way to install all proper drivers and all necessary Samsung software to return my laptop to a travel usage. Samsung dedicated software I looked for any software compatible Windows 7 on the Samsung support web site. Of course, there are not! My model is too old (at least for marketing) to get some upgrade. So, I turned to other new models supporting Windows 7, and selected the Q320 (the higher Qxxx model available to this date). I selected some Samsung software that I need (I zapped others as they have actually minor interest to me).
As these new package are dedicated to Windows 7, you don’t have to use the famous “Vista SP2 compatibility on setup.exe” tip to make it run properlly. So, once installed, and one reboot later; I was pleased to see the sound, network functions keys perfectly working. All but brightness :(. What’s the heck with this function? Damn, It was too easy. Then, I tried to check the Intel VGA driver, and install the latest release…for nothing :(. I’ve tried several minors release without success. I spent many times on searching thru blogs and documentations untill i read this:
The ACPI layer
Windows supports two ways to integrate brightness control: Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) miniport device driver interfaces (DDIs) and Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) firmware control methods. ACPI control methods are the preferred implementation solution for new platforms.
The ACPI layer is a new to Windows 7. Hum…maybe the new Intel VGA driver use the ACPI protocol, and no more the WDDM? I have to look backward for a previous branch release of the video driver.
The Intel VGA Driver masked avanger!
So, the last issue is to find the right driver compatible with my motherboard AND the samsung EDM. Unfortunatly, the 8.15 branch release of VGA driver doesn’t work support WDDM anymore on this motherboard? I gave a try to the the v7.14 branch. I’ve downloaded and installed the higher version of the 7.14 branch.
One reboot later (see below for details), Bingo !!!. It finally works, at the end :).
NOTE: I had difficulties to remove the v8.15 video driver release. To do so, firstly, I’ve uninstalled the driver first, but not rebooted yet! Secondly, I’ve installed the v7.14 release before rebooting. And that way, I made it!
I also encountered the same problem
I also encountered the same problem
Thanks for the nice help!!!
Could you tell us how you delete the v8.15 video driver release
many thanks in advance
Chris
To uninstall the 8.15 video driver, i went thru Computer Management -> Driver -> Video Card. Right click on the video card and then, uninstall driver. that’s all.
Thank you Jean-Michel, I really appreciate your support!
I found the way to uninstall the driver as you suggested but when trying to install the suggested driver Intel VGA v7.14.10.1409 I always get the error notice: “the operating system is not supported”.…
I was extracting the setup.exe of the zipped folder 7.14.10.1409winvista and not 64 folder. Should I try with a different driver maybe? any ideas are welcome! The funny thing is that all other steps you described above worked perfectly for me just this one bugs somehow… Interesting is that, when using the function key for brightness, the symbol shows up on the screen even nothing happens. But if I increase the brightness bars and the go on standby and then start again the brightness is increased.… so there is a way, even a complicated one, to change brightness.… however, maybe I can ease this with your help? Thank you in advance! –Chris
If you are using Windows 7, trying to install the 7.14.10.1409 Vista SP1 drivers and receive the “the operating system is not supported” error message, change the properties of the executable Setup file to run in compatibility mode for Vista SP1. The drivers Vista SP1 drivers should now install correctly under Windows 7.
Many, many thanks it works perfectly.
I’ve been trying to sort this out since Win7 first appeared.
Hi Jean, how can use the q45 Memory Stick driver in windows 7?
@Jacky: That’s a good question!
In fact, you’ve just remind me that this port exist :D.
I never use it, till now. I’ll give a look under the “Computer Management/Device Manager” to check if some hardware are still unkown.
Far I remember, it was ok.
@Jean: I’m trying to reach Samsung customer support, tell me that “…You can try that Vista driver. Otherwise, please send us a bug report and we’ll try to fix the problem as fast as we can…” :( … This is Samsung technical support specialist… Anyway, Thank you!
First: Thanks a load i basically wasn’t able to turn my Q45 on without Powercable for the last half year due to this problem but your guide solved it.
Installing the 7.14. driver is acutally way easier than described, as you can simply execute the setup.exe as administrator and the 8.15 driver will be uninstalled automatically during the Installation.
Thanks, brightness solution worked for me
Hello again!
Andrew, txs, the compatibility mode was the clue! Now Brightness works perfectly!
I have one more question though to all of you How do you get the F4 key functional so you could choose between the options when attaching a projector to the PC? When I attached the projector it showed the screen and the projection on the wall at the same time but I could not change it into showing only screen or only wall.… Any ideas? Many thanks in advance — Chris
Enjoying Windows 7 on the Q45 — a great combination; except that Easy display brightnmess control has gone.….….and last word from Samsung was that no update was ready yet.
So how pleased was I to find a fix by accident: The screen was dark even using the mains and on max brightness until I played with the “rotate display” (Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow) and suddenly all was brightness and light. True serendipity