Updating a Samsung NP-N145P (NP-N145-JP04UK) Netbook to Windows 8.1
Hi Folks,
Here's the disclaimer: This process worked for me but if something goes wrong with your
attempt, I'm not liable for any damage caused as you are following these guidelines at
your own risk.
If you have the following Netbook NP-N145P (NP-N145-JP04UK) and have problems updating it to Windows 8.1,I got around it by doing the following:
I bought a full licenced copy of Win8.1 from the Microsoft store. This means I'm covered for
30 days in case something goes wrong and I get a full refund from Microsoft.
1. Don't do this over a wireless connection - it takes too long. Get yourself a network lead and connect it up to your hub. If it's decent hub it should be capable of wired and
wireless connections. BACKUP ALL OF YOUR DATA, FILES, PHOTOS ETC TO A CD OR
SOME OTHER BACKUP DEVICE BEFORE YOU START.
2. Follow the instructions on the email from Microsoft and copy the registration number.
Copy the setup file from Microsoft to a USB drive. The system will download files and
ask you whether you want to run the installation from the local machine or create
'installation media' on a USB drive or a CD. I opted for a USB drive. It will make it 'bootable'.
DO NOT TRY TO UPGRADE THE EXISTING INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS7. Opt
for a 'new' installation and keep it clean.
3. Shut down your PC after the system has finished making the bootable USB drive.
Re-start the system and alter your BIOS Boot priority to recognise and boot the USB drive
as the first drive for the installation process.
4. Make sure that you save all of your data, work files and photos etc that you want to keep
you get to this stage!
5. When the installation actual starts it will then ask you whether you want to keep work files. Click 'no' because you should have already have saved them by now. Then it will ask you if you want to upgrade or do a new installation. Select 'new installation'.
You will then be given the option to delete the existing partitions. The only one you won't be able to delete is the 'Recovery' partition. Once you've deleted them - create two new partitions with about equal size. Use the C: drive for the OS and the D: drive as a data backup location. The USB key will take it from here.
6. The main problems were the following - an upgrade install kept crashing out on the upgrade install options and I had was that the screen resolution was too low to run most of the basic Win8.1 apps that were part of the OS. Windows 8.1 wouldn't allow me to install the graphics drivers through allowing it to search the Internet or the local system itself. I got around this by running the actual program for the Windows 7 VGA drivers on the following link:
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/NP-N145-JP04UK. I then had to override the OS and insist it use these old drivers.
You should be okay now for both wired and wireless connection and a screen resolution that will work with Windows 8.1.
Here's the disclaimer again: This process worked for me but if something goes wrong with your attempt, I'm not liable for any damage caused as you are following these guidelines at
your own risk.
Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
PS It now runs a lot quicker without all of the manufacturer's additional software on there.
