Want to upgrade Samsung Netbook N220 to Windows 10

CharlesI · 08 Apr 2016

I want to try upgrading my Samsung Netbook N220 to Windows 10, if I can. It seems to meet the requirements, except for the graphics driver which is an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150. I saw this post about upgrading the graphics card and the Microsoft download page here. Hopefully that still works.

Question 1: Will the OS run faster than Windows 7 Starter which is very slow on this machine?

Question 2: If I do a clean install will I lose the function key commands (which I need), such as volume control. What happens to CyberLink YouCam - not that I use it, but if I ever wanted to use the camera is there a Win 10 alternative?

Thanks
Charles

dalchina · 09 Apr 2016

Hi, Suggest you need to find out what, if anything, about your present configuration is slow before even considering upgrading.

A clean install is always preferable, especially where you're unsure if it's Win 10 compatible. You really really don't want issue inherited from an old OS when grappling with Win 10 issues and driver problems.

That will give you the best response, and discriminate what the OS is doing from things you've installed.

Now, netbooks have a small screen size. Earlier attempts to run Win 10 had problems with this. Not sure where that got to.

Basics.
Does Samsung have a Win 10 compatibility list of devices? If yours is not on it, you're probably not going to win.

If you still want to try Win 10 on this, and think it's worth the effort, here's what I would do:

1. Check to see if Samsung has a Win 10 compatibility list. If not, check for your netbook type and Win 10 to see what experience people have had.

2. Use disk imaging (Macrium Reflect (free) to create a disk image of what you have now.
Why? If things go wrong, you can be pretty sure you can restore it exactly as is.The image is also a full backup.3. Try a clean install of Win 10 and see what issues you have.

Samsung offers this:
How to Upgrade to Windows 10 via USB

CharlesI · 06 Jun 2016

I successfully upgraded to Windows 10. I have a feeling that in their desperation to get as many people on to 10 as possible that Microsoft changed the requirements to include lower performing PCs. I'm certain that initially the Netbook did not have the required hardware (especially graphics card), but after cleaning most of the software I don't use off of it, the only requirement not met was hard drive space.

I tried to delete the D: partition but the delete option was greyed out in Computer Management. I read that this could mean there are startup files hidden in D: so I used a free partition management software to increase the space on C: dramatically (to over 100gb) and reduce the space on D:. The installation went smoothly and the PC is much faster running 10 than it was with 7 Starter. I suspect that part of the reason could be the extra space on C: but I also suspect that 10 is faster and leaner than 7 (with years of updates) was.

Thanks for your help.
Charles

dalchina · 06 Jun 2016

Glad it went well for you!