Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Samsung Ativ 500T - Updating to 8.1, Day 2...

Mar 23, 2015 5:43AM PDT

So... I'm on day 2 of re-installing Windows on my Samsung Ativ 500T tablet which wouldn't boot after a Windows update last week. I have managed to install all the necessary drivers in the horrendous SW Update application and preformed all necessary Windows updates.

After attempting to update to Windows 8.1 through the Store, the tablet hangs on boot indefinably, and restarting (three times) reverts to Windows 8.0.

My Google-fu indicates it may be an issue with the Intel graphics driver. So after installing 8.1 and reverting to 8.0, twice, I've now updated the graphics and bluetooth drivers through Windows Update (Why is Windows updating my drivers right after updating via SW Update, Samsung?) as well as the "Windows 8 patches" buried in the SW Update application and I'm trying it again. I don't expect it to work.

Some people have gone as far as installing Windows via USB stick. No thanks.

Samsung? What is the installation procedure for Windows 8.1 for this device?

Discussion is locked

jians5 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
- Collapse -
Windows 10
Apr 7, 2015 10:44AM PDT

Mention to them that I installed a fresh copy of Windows 10 from USB and I'm having the same problem.

- Collapse -
It didn't work, did it?
Apr 8, 2015 9:51PM PDT

So, still not up and running? I believe I tried the method in the link you posted back in March and it didn't work for me.

By the way, it's orders of magnitude faster to install an image of Windows 8.1 from USB than to use the recovery partition and do all the updates.

- Collapse -
microsoft cannot solve the problem. are refunding my $99.00
Apr 9, 2015 12:19AM PDT

3 days & hours & hours later... Microsoft have advised they cannot fix the issue & advised the tablet was designed for win8. Although it successfully ran 8.1 upgrade from windows store, for a year or so, it cannot handle the latest windows updates. They advised that Samsung will need to release a bios update to enable 8.1 to be re-installed on this tablet model.

The Microsoft techs were very polite & friendly

- Collapse -
Tablet designed for windows 8...
Apr 9, 2015 5:35PM PDT

Funny, Samsung actually lists it as being 8.1 compatible http://www.samsung.com/us/windows-8-pcs/update.html

Although, mine has been working fine on 8.1 with the audio driver uninstalled (using bluetooth headphones/speakers instead). I've had no issues with it since uninstalling them - starts up and shuts down just fine.

- Collapse -
At any time did you....
Apr 9, 2015 9:59AM PDT

...try this process with Fast Boot turned off so the hiberfil.sys wasn't getting in the way of update process?

- Collapse -
Yes....
Apr 9, 2015 1:06PM PDT

I tried with fast boot turned off and full shut down but got BSOD when trying to shut down (had to use the power button in the end). It hung in the same spot on restart.

- Collapse -
what is BSOD? and what is your model #
Apr 9, 2015 7:19PM PDT

Not sure what BSOD is, can you advise?
Also, can you share the complete model #
of your tablet?
Mine is 11.6 ATIV Smart PC (XE500T1C-A02CA).
http://www.samsung.com/ca/support/model/XE500T1C-A02CA

In an earlier post you said you un installed a sound driver and 8.1 works with external speakers. Are all other updates installed?

- Collapse -
BSOD
Apr 9, 2015 8:52PM PDT

I'm not lenhoyt but...

BSOD = Blue Screen Of Death. We are typically seeing: DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE

My model is XE500T1C-A01CA

All drivers are installed except the sound driver.

I said earlier that I think an external bluetooth speaker would work, but that's hardly a solution.

- Collapse -
Model #
Apr 10, 2015 6:25AM PDT

Mine is XE500T1C-A01CA as well. I agree the bluetooth speaker is not a solution but curious that Microsoft says the tablet is not 8.1 compatible when everything else works fine with the audio driver uninstalled. I have all Windows updates installed again as well.

- Collapse -
mmg7 & jians5, are you running 8.1, but without the
Apr 10, 2015 8:03PM PDT

Are you 2 running 8.1 from windows store, but without the sound driver installed?

Please post step by step how to do that.

- Collapse -
Yes
Apr 11, 2015 12:15AM PDT

Yes, remove the sound driver through device manager in safe mode.

To boot the tablet in safe mode.
Here are 5 ways of doing that:
http://www.7tutorials.com/5-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-8-windows-81

Then uninstall the Realtek audio driver/
Here's how to do that:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/uninstall-disable-roll-back-update-drivers-windows

If you can't get in to Safe Mode, use a command prompt and delete the rtii2sac.sys file located in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers then reboot. Once you get in to Windows, remove the sound driver through Device Manager as above.


Note: I'm running Windows 10 now, not 8.1, but the problem and "solution" are identical.

- Collapse -
I lodged a complaint with Samsung canada 1-800-726-7864
Apr 13, 2015 11:15PM PDT

I called Samsung Canada 1-800-726-7864& explained the problems I've had & they have started a complaint case & are escalating this issue to tech support.
I read off the steps you have followed to enable 8.1 to install & they will review and call me back with their best solution

I suggest others call also to lodge complaints, as it is obviously an issue with the Canadian tablet model.

The alternative option is to send the tablet to an authorised Samsung center at my expense

- Collapse -
8.1 install from usb
Apr 11, 2015 3:34AM PDT

I did a clean install of 8.1 (from usb) drive and that's what I am running. Jian5 gives instructions how to do this 3/24/15 "Update". The only difference for me was I wasn't prompted for an activation key - it seemed to recognize the key in BIOS - see my post "Windows 8.1 clean install" 4/2/15

You do need a keyboard to do this. When you run the SW update, don't install the sound driver.

The sound driver issue didn't come to light until after I had done the clean install so I can't say for sure if the 8.1 update from the windows store will work the same. After the clean install I can't 'reset to factory' - I may reinstall 8 if the issue isn't solved but for now am finding a Bluetooth speaker works for what I need. Hope this helps.

- Collapse -
Microsoft
Apr 11, 2015 12:17AM PDT
- Collapse -
Re: Microsoft
Apr 11, 2015 12:27AM PDT

I wonder if Microsoft can name for us any other tablet on the market that will run Windows 8.0 but not Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 is an update from Windows 8.

This isn't like my circa Windows XP machine won't run Vista. This is like my Windows XP machine won't run Windows XP Second Edition. It is unheard of in the history of Microsoft Updates and Service Packs.

- Collapse -
re:microsoft
Apr 11, 2015 12:34AM PDT

I meant "Windows Service Pack 1/2" rather than Windows XP SE. It was Windows 98 that was called "Second Edition"

Please CNET, implement the ability to modify posts to correct errors! This is stupid.

- Collapse -
Answer
uodating samsung T500 to Windows 8.1 OTA
Apr 23, 2015 8:40AM PDT

Hi I followed one of the posts bellow I can't retrieve now. The procedure to get 8.1 is :
1- update S/W and all updates in S/W except sound driver
2- update windows from windows update (134 updates)
3- delete the sound driver Realtek ISS Audio driver
4- Run Windows 8.1 update
Enjoy 8.1 and don't use S/W to update the sound driver the computer will crash, so here where I am. Any help for the sound driver ???

- Collapse -
So far no.
Apr 23, 2015 8:45AM PDT

Samsung needs to address this. Workarounds look to be a bluetooth speaker or USB sound card.
Bob

- Collapse -
Issue Fixed by Install & Uninstall Driver
May 23, 2015 1:49PM PDT

Hi All,

Thanks everyone's contributions! I experienced most of the problems mentioned these posts. When I trouble shot the issue (install / uninstall different versions of drivers), I found out sometime myT500 could be booted up normally even the driver had been install and Realtek ISS Audio worked perfectly. So I use different way to install the driver, uninstall the driver. Finally everything is working fine. I believe the uninstall using devcon did remove some unnecessary dll files which are causing the boot issue. Currently the Startup selection in the system configuration (msconfig) is:

selective startup
load system services
load startup items

The steps:

1) Followed the instructions to install windows 8.1 in my T500 (Canada version) without Realtek ISS Audio driver
2) Down load Microsoft WDK 8.1 Update (for Windows 8.1, 8, and 7 drivers) - https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/hh852365 and install it.
3) Down load Realtek ISS Audio Codec 6.2.9600.3082 http://u.163.com/7wYEzKfz passcode: 9jRgIFLV and extract it.
4) install driver (you can find the Hardware id in Device manager. At the beginning of the stage, the Realtek ISS Audio shows as other device for which there is no driver installed. My Realtek ISS Audio ids is "*INTCCFFD")
cd C:\Program Files\Windows Kits\8.1\Tools\x86
devcon -r install C:\soundcard\Realtek\rtii2sac.inf (Realtek ISS Audio ids)
exit

5) You should be able to pay your music now. You play some videos/songs, then you can:

6)uninstall driver
cd C:\Program Files\Windows Kits\8.1\Tools\x86
devcon -r remove (Realtek ISS Audio ids)
exit

7) reboot your tablet. Good Luck!

Comments:
1) you may try several times to make the system in the back to "normal" status.
2) If table can not be boot up, you can use the advanced option in the BIOS mode (power + voice up key) to delete c:\windows\system32\dirvers\rtii2sac.sys in command mode.
3) I have c:\windows\system32\dirvers\rtii2sac.sys will be in my windows 8.1 system
4) Again, Good Luck

- Collapse -
rtii2sac.sys
May 23, 2015 11:37PM PDT

Just to clarify:

Are you removing the rtii2sac.sys every time you restart the tablet or are you at some point able to leave the driver installed and successfully reboot the tablet?

- Collapse -
rtii2sac.sys is not the trouble maker
May 23, 2015 11:47PM PDT

At some point able to leave the driver installed and successfully reboot the tablet.

- Collapse -
Update: An Importance Detail
May 24, 2015 2:09AM PDT

Remove -r parameter in install/uninstall commands.

After you install (devcon install C:\soundcard\Realtek\rtii2sac.inf (Realtek ISS Audio ids) )the driver, you will experience same things: blue light fleshing, "Click, Click, Click ..."

Wait for a while, uninstall the driver (devcon remove (Realtek ISS Audio ids)) . The speaker icon will change to non-speaker, and then back to normal speaker icon.

Here is the keep point: You have to wait until the blue light stop fleshing and no "Click ...". It may take around 10 minutes. Then the system will be back to normal. Usually, I will watch a video, and go into the directory: c:\windows\system32\drivers\.

Shut down your tablet. It should be able to shut down a normal way, otherwise you have to do it again.

Start up the system.

Good Luck!

- Collapse -
Answer
Problem finally solved!
Jul 31, 2015 9:04AM PDT

I can confirm that if you use the sw update tool and download the 8.1 sound driver after upgrading to windows 10 the realtek driver is working correctly! No boot hanging or anything.

- Collapse -
great news ... can anyone else verify?
Jul 31, 2015 9:16AM PDT

My new issue is the Intel Graphics Media accelerator needs to be updated by Intel before my win 10 upgrade can happen. Once that works I hope to be able to reinstall the sound driver too.

How is the tablet performance with win 10??

- Collapse -
Something worth sharing.
Jul 31, 2015 9:19AM PDT

I have reports that a clean install of Windows 10 can work around that issue. Upgrading Windows is a really old discussion that dates back to even before XP. Sometimes the upgrade isn't going to work.

- Collapse -
upgrade should also work but...
Jul 31, 2015 1:20PM PDT
- Collapse -
This discussion is a shame for Samsung.
Jul 31, 2015 1:26PM PDT

I've followed this one to see if Samsung would step in and correct what was failing on Windows 8.1 on this model but no sign. It's as if they want it to go away or hope someone else would sort it.

This model was in my view a premium sale. How they left it in a lurch or why is a mystery.

- Collapse -
How did you upgrade to Windows 10?
Jul 31, 2015 1:11PM PDT

GL Jones: How did you upgrade to Windows 10? Did you perform a clean install or use the upgrade option? I scoured the thread twice and missed how you achieved that--any attempts I've made with RTM 10240 result in an error which seems to indicate a boot issue. (I have the AT&T version, XE500T1C-HA1US.)

- Collapse -
Windows 10 installed
Aug 1, 2015 4:03PM PDT

Hi all,

I have the Samsung XE500T1C-A02CA.

Like all, since march I stop being able to use windows 8.1 on the tablet. After multiple try I decided to stay with windows 8.

Since I got the new Windows 10 on my Alienware I decided to retry on my Samsung tablet to install windows 8.1 to go windows 10. Still same problem so I made a search and found this thread, very helpful by the way.

This morning I have installed windows 10 on this model and it is working, except for the sound.

Step 1: I have made certain that all updates were done with windows 8, windows update and the sw update.

Step 2:disable the sound driver from the device manager and following with uninstall of the sound driver, Realtek I2C.

Step 3: I search with google creation a windows 10 installation disk and use my micro sd to create the windows 10 disk. When done, the program that create the disk. With windows explorer I went to my micro sd and click on setup to start the installation.

Step 4:Looking at the installation of Windows 10, configure it and it is working.

Step 5: downloaded the Samsung sw update to get the driver I needed for the graphic card. Windows 10 installed a Microsoft generic driver. I installed the driver for windows 8.1 since Samsung does have driver listed for windows 8.1 with this model on the sw update program. in the end, I working on the seeing what can be installed to make everything work but at the moment, graphic work perfectly.

Will post more about sound later.