Classmate 3 and Windows 10

We do not recommend that you attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 in your Classmate 3 yet. Our own testing has determined that the Classmate 3 may not be fully compatible with Windows 10. If you attempt to do an upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, the upgrade may fail at around 70%. When it fails, it may leave your Classmate 3 in an unusable state.

For customers that are looking for the Windows 10 experience, we will be launching a range of new products that deliver the best in new Windows 10 features shortly.

If you have any queries or questions regarding this please don't hesitate to talk to one of the support team, or your account manager.

Applies to:

• NOTCHA-263 / NOTCHA-264 - Stone Classmate 3

New UEFI Firmware Features

The Stone Classmate 3 like many new tablets has been designed to provide the latest firmware features including:

• Rapid boot times (including support for Windows Fastboot).
• Support for Windows 8 secure boot.
• Support for other recent industry standards which include security, power management and compatibility.
• Support for Windows 8.1 x86 only.

​This new firmware feature set is known as "UEFI" and it replaces the traditional BIOS code for configuring and booting a machine into the operating system.

The "BIOS setup" screen may look very similar to setup screens of previous models, but the BIOS code underneath is very different to models of just a few years ago.

As a Windows 8.x only unit, the Classmate 3 does not support legacy BIOS compatibility modes. This is a reflection upon the industry's drive to improve the usability and features of new systems, albeit at the cost of reducing legacy support.

What Does this Mean in Terms of Installing an Operating System?

This means that the operating system you want to install needs to support UEFI features, such as the GPT ("GUID Partition Table") method of disk partitioning. Windows 8.x supports this method. The older "master boot record" or MBR method of partitioning hard drives is not supported by the Classmate 3.

Installing Windows Again From Scratch

UEFI only support means that if you want to install a new, fresh copy of Windows 8.x, you must use an ISO to USB tool which can create the USB pen drive for use by UEFI systems, i.e. the disk formatting method is GPT.

One tool that can do this, for example, is Rufus.

What About Disk Imaging Software?

Methods of disk imaging also need to support the GPT partitioning method in order to boot. For example, if you have a Ghost 2.5.1 (11.5.1) bootable CD or pen drive based on Window Vista (Windows PE 2.0), this will not boot on the Classmate 3, as Windows Vista does not support GPT partitioning. You will not be able to actually boot from the CD or pen drive.

It is recommended on the Classmate 3 to use bootable media made using Windows 8.1, or Windows PE 5.0.

So How Can I Image the Classmate 3?

Stone can pre-install your choice of software image at our factory, saving you time in the deployment of your new equipment. If you are a network manager or technician you can also use the resources below to modify your existing imaging tools - where possible - to support UEFI systems such as the Classmate 3.

Alternatively, a potentially easier solution is to use tools within Windows 8 to create a Windows System Image onto an external hard disk. This will allow you to backup a system to be used as a master image and then restore the image onto other system.

A third party tutorial on this process is available here.

General Information on Modifying Existing Tools

The Classmate 3 does not have a wired LAN interface. This means that system images either need to be transferred using a USB pen drive or hard drive, or by using an optional USB3 to Gigabit LAN adapter (such as Stone part code CABUSB-224).

Ghost Solutions Suite 2.5.1 (11.5.1)

You will need to transfer your Ghost software to a Windows PE 5.0 environment. Please note however that Ghost 11.5.1 does not support disks larger than 2TB in size.

Short instructions:

(Advanced Users Only)

• Rework your Ghost media so that it runs off Windows PE 5.0 x86 (32-bit).
• Add the drivers for the Stone USB/LAN adapter into the boot image.
• Add the drivers for the Intel I/O Technologies (so that the Classmate 3 keyboard functions).
• Connect your Ghost Pen drive (based on Windows PE 5.0) to one of the available USB ports.
• Connect the USB/LAN adapter into the other available USB port (you will need the dock connected to have 2 USB ports in total available).
• Tap the F11 key from power on to go into the Boot Menu and boot from the USB HDD (the pen drive).
• (Alternatively, tap the DEL key from power on to go into the Setup Menu).
• Run Ghost as normal to upload or download images over the network.
• When you have deployed the image, you will then need to use the command prompt to run the BCDBOOT command to fix the boot loader. For example, from the driver letter of the destination, run bcdboot w:\windows /s: w: /f UEFI (where W is the drive letter of the destination)

Alternatively, if you are a licensed Ghost Solutions Suite 2.5.1 customer we can provide an ISO image containing an Windows PE 5.0 and Ghost 11.5.1, upon you providing details of your Ghost license. This can be used on a USB pen drive. However, this media is unsupported. Contact Stone Support for more details on how to obtain this ISO image.

SCCM / Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

We have provided a link below to a Windows PE 5.0 image which will allow you to execute an imaging script over the network through the use of a mapped drive.

Method 1 - Use MDT WinPE Images - Short Instructions

(Advanced Users Only)

• Modify your x86 Windows PE 5.0 generated boot images to include driver support for the USB/LAN adapter.
• Also add the drivers for the Intel I/O Technologies (so that the Classmate 3 keyboard functions).
• You will then need to transfer the boot image to a USB pen drive, or use PXE Boot:
  • PXE Boot is only available to PXE Servers which support EFI and X86 clients. This excludes Windows Server 2008R2 but includes Windows Server 2012 (for more information see here).
  • To support x86 PXE boot, you will need to use a supported USB/LAN adapter such as CABUSB-224, which is a USB3 / Gigabit model (USB\VID_0B95&PID_1790). NOTACC-402 is not supported by the Classmate 3 for PXE Boot.
  • The Classmate 3 needs to be running BIOS 1.04 or later to support PXE Boot on the CABUSB-224.
  • Your Windows 2012 WDS server will need to have a Windows x86 boot image configured (x86uefi).
• You will likely need to convert the boot image to an ISO file and then deploy the ISO file to a USB pen drive using a program such as Rufus or ISO2USB.

​

• Boot the Classmate 3 from the pen drive with the USB/LAN adapter also connected.

Method 2 - Use Stone PE Boot Media and a Network Drive - Short Instructions

• On a system used for IT administration (for example, not the Classmate 3 itself) download the package which contains the image and the image writing program.
• Extract the package.
• Attach a blank USB pen drive of at least 2GB in size to the system.
• Install the imaging program and then run it.
• Select the .IMG file and the drive letter of the USB pen drive.
• Click the Write button to write the image to the pen drive.

• Take the completed pen drive to the Classmate 3 and plug it in.
• Connect the USB/LAN adapter into the other available USB port (you will need the dock connected to have 2 USB ports in total available).
• Tap the F11 key from power on to go into the Boot Menu and boot from the USB HDD (the pen drive).
• (Alternatively, tap the DEL key from power on to go into the Setup Menu).
• When the pen drive has booted, you will get two programs:
  • A Command Prompt – use this to run tools such as DISM.
  • PE Network Manager – use the Network drives tab to map a network drive to a drive letter.

• To map the network drive you will need:
  • To select a drive letter, such as M:
  • The path to the network share in the form \\server\sharename
  • Username:  <username to access the share>
  • Password: <password for the above user>
• Once you have mapped a network drive, use the command prompt to start your deployment script.

Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

Method 1 - Use Modified Boot or Install Images - Short Instructions

(Advanced Users Only)

• Ensure you are using x86 Windows PE 5.0 boot or install images in your WDS environment.
• Add the drivers for the Stone USB/LAN Adapter
• Add the drivers for the Intel I/O Technologies (so that the Classmate 3 keyboard functions)
• Connect the USB/LAN Adapter to the USB3.0 port on the Classmate 3.
• You will then need to transfer the boot image WIM file to a USB pen drive, and boot the Classmate 3 from the pen drive, or use PXE boot.
  • ​PXE Boot is only available to PXE Servers which support EFI and X86 clients. This excludes Windows Server 2008R2 but includes Windows Server 2012 (for more information see here).
  • To support x86 PXE boot, you will need to use a supported USB/LAN adapter such as CABUSB-224, which is a USB3 / Gigabit model. NOTACC-402 is not supported by the Classmate 3 for PXE Boot.
  • The Classmate 3 needs to be running BIOS 1.04 or later to support PXE Boot on the CABUSB-224.
  • Your Windows 2012 WDS server will need to have a Windows x86 boot image configured (x86uefi).

Drivers for the Stone USB/LAN Adapter

The driver packages below cover:

• NOTAC-402 USB2 to 10/100 LAN adapter - does not support PXE Boot on the Classmate 3.
• CABUSB-224 USB3 to Gigabit LAN Adapter (Startech USB3) - supports PXE Boot on the Classmate 3 when the Classmate 3 has BIOS 1.04 or later installed.

Windows 8.1 / PE 5.0 x86 (32-bit)

Windows 8.1 / PE 5.0 x64 (64-bit) (please note that the Classmate 3 does not support x64)

Drivers for the Classmate 3 Touchscreen and Keyboard (Intel I/O Drivers)

These are only available for x86 / 32-bit Windows 8.1.

Applies to:

• Stone Classmate 3 (NOTCHA-263 and NOTCHA-264)

What does this fix?

This firmware is designed to update the ANX chip in the notebook that controls the USB-C DisplayPort. The update brings better compatibility with external USB-C connected monitors and docking stations.

Prerequisites

The following instructions apply to the 10th gen Stonebook Pro and Stonebook Lite with the "E" revision suffix - L103E, L105E, P103E, P105E. Before running the ANX update tool, please ensure you have updated the BIOS, EC, and ANX drivers to the latest versions. These can all be found on the Stone Driver Finder

Process

Download the latest ANX Firmware update tool, also found on the Stone Driver Finder, and extract the files, we then need to ascertain what version of the firmware we're running. To do this execute the " ANX74x_7327_Show.exe" found in the Show_tool_V0.6 folder. This will generate a version text file called log.txt. Check the version you are running and if it's older than 1.09.04 then proceed with the steps below.

1. Run the ANX7411_OCM-V1.904_V17.exe to initiate the update. 

2. Run the Clevo_OCM1700_SINK20V_CR7EBE9E94D-over40w_CTS.exe to complete the update.

3. Restart the system

4. Run the ANX74x_7327_Show.exe in the show tool folder to check if the system has updated correctly. OCM current version = 1904 means it has updated correctly to the latest version 1.09.04.

Applies to:

• Stonebook Lite L103E & L105E - NOTCHA-324 & NOTCHA-325
• Stonebook Pro P103E & P105E - NOTCHA-326 & NOTCHA-327

Windows XP Driver Deployment Utility

Please use this link to download the Ultimate DDU Utility (Approx 1.59GB).

This utility allows for fully automated installation of drivers and appropriate software for most Stone branded desktops and laptops from 2009 to early 2013.

Usage:

• Extract the package to a CD, USB pen drive or network location as appropriate
• Run "install_xp_drivers_now.bat" on the machine that requires installation. This will initially copy the packages to a C:\Stone folder on the local machine, and then execute the installation. This method is usually recommended. Drivers need to be copied to the machines local C drive as USB and network devices may be restarted during the installation.

OR:

• Extract the package directly to the C drive of the machine to be installed
• Run "install_xp_drivers_now-no_file_copy.bat" - this will start the driver installer from the current location. This method isnt suitable for running directly from a USB key or network location as the installer may become unavailable when these drivers are installed.

Last updated 21/9/13.

Applies to:

• Most Stone branded Desktop and laptop products produced between 2009 and 2012
• Selected Lenovo models.

Stonebook Pro and StoneBook Lite

Please find attached the user manual for the Stonebook Mini M10A (w515lu).

Function Keys / Hotkeys

The function keys will act as hotkeys when pressed whilst the FN key is held down. Some key combinations will also generate an on screen message when the Hotkey utility is installed.

Applies to:

• Stonebook Mini M10A (w515lu) - NOTCHA-279, NOTCHA-281

Windows 10 Tested Models List

Please see the attached spreadsheet for a list of tested Stone systems or Stone motherboards for details on Windows 10 compatibility. Use the Stone driver finder to download updated drivers and/or use Windows Update to download the latest drivers post-Windows 10 installation.

Whilst the vast majority of models are compatible, models that are known to have compatibility problems are the NT309 and Classmate 3.

Applies to:

• Stone Products Manufactured 2014 to August 2015.

Stone N130 (W515TU) User Manual

Please see attached. A summary of the function keys is also below.

Function Keys / Hotkeys

The function keys will act as hotkeys when pressed whilst the FN key is held down. Some key combinations will also generate an on screen message when the Hotkey utility is installed.

Applies to:

• Stone N130 11.6" Laptop

What does this fix?

This firmware is designed to update the ANX chip in the notebook that controls the USB-C DisplayPort. The update brings better compatibility with external USB-C connected monitors and docking stations.

Prerequisites

The following instructions apply to the 11th gen Stonebook Pro and Stonebook Lite - L115A, P113A, P115A. Before running the ANX update tool, please ensure you have updated the BIOS, EC, and ANX drivers to the latest versions. These can all be found on the Stone Driver Finder

Process

Download the latest ANX Firmware update tool, also found on the Stone Driver Finder, and extract the files, we then need to ascertain what version of the firmware we're running. To do this execute the " ANX74x_7327_Show.exe" found in the Show_tool_V0.6 folder. This will generate a version text file called log.txt. Check the version you are running and if it's older than 1.09.04 then proceed with the steps below.

1. Run the ANX7411_OCM-V1.904_V17.exe to initiate the update. 

2. Run the Clevo_V19_PDO_40W_F7_04.exe to complete the update.

3. Restart the system

4. Run the ANX74x_7327_Show.exe in the show tool folder to check if the system has updated correctly. OCM current version = 1904 means it has updated correctly to the latest version 1.09.04.

Applies to:

• Stonebook Lite L115A - NOTCHA-338
• Stonebook Pro P113A & P115A - NOTCHA-339 & NOTCHA-340

Updating the EC Firmware

Please only update the EC Firmware when instructed by Stone Support. Updating the EC Firmware as a matter of routine if you are not experiencing any issues is not recommended.

The instructions below are designed for Administrators. If you are not comfortable following these instructions please let your Stone Support representative know - and we will be happy to apply the update for you.

Instructions

There are two methods to update the EC Firmware on this model:

• Windows EC Flash Update
• EFI EC Flash Update

Steps - Windows EC Flash

The N240JU Windows EC Update can be downloaded here (last updated 15/1/17 to make the batch file more reliable).

• Download the file above to the machine.
• Extract the package to a folder.
• Go into the WinFlash subfolder.
• Right hand click on ECFLASH.BAT and choose "Run as administrator".

• You may then be met with 2 warnings, click "OK" to both.

• The update process will then begin automatically.
• Once this process is finished the machine will automatically power down.
• After the machine powers down, unplug the AC adapter for 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
• Re-attach the AC adapter.

Steps - EFI EC Flash

The N240JU EFI EC Update can be downloaded here.

This method requires that Windows is not running. 

• Download the file and extract to the root of a FAT32 formatted USB pen drive.
• Shutdown the notebook.
• Plug the USB pen drive into the notebook whilst it is off.
• Turn on the laptop and use the F2 key to go into the BIOS.
• Use the arrow keys to go to the Exit Menu.
• Then choose "Launch EFI Shell from filesystem device".

• The system will boot into the EFI Shell.
• The shell will list all of the devices available to the EFI environment. Look for the file system, or FS device associated with the pen drive, shown as a Removable HardDisk. This is usually fs3.

• Type fsx: to select the USB pen drive, where x is the number of the drive in your system.

​

• (Note that the Shell prompt changes to confirm that the new drive has been selected)
• Type in ECFLASH.NSH and press Enter

• The EC will be updated. When complete, the system will report that it will shut down.

​

• When the system has turned off, remove the AC adapter from the machine.
• Wait 10 seconds.
• Re-attach the AC adapter.

Applies to:

• Stonebook Pro P10A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-277
• Stonebook Pro P11A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-278
• Stonebook Lite L10A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-276
• Stonebook Lite L11A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-280

Stone NT210-H (W540SU1)

Please find attached the Stone NT210-H (W540SU1) User Manual.

Applies to:

• Stone NT210-H 14" Laptop (NOTCHA-272)

Stone NT203-LV3 (S3101)

Please find attached the Stone NT203-LV3 (S3101) User Manual.

Applies to:

• Stone NT203-LV3 13.3" Laptop (NOTCHA-2220)

Scenario

Consider the following situation:

• You are building an image for deployment
• Your development system has the SATA hard drive controller mode configured as "IDE"
• You wish to deploy the image to systems with the controller mode configured as "AHCI", as this delivers better performance
• When you try and deploy the image, the system blue screens on bootup. You use the "Disable restart on System failure" option which allows you to see that the blue screen code is "0x0000007b - Inaccessible boot device"

Cause

The Windows AHCI driver is not left enabled when the system is installed on a system using an IDE controller. When you then boot the image on the AHCI system, the system does not have an AHCI driver enabled, so the system cannot boot.

Resolution

• Boot the image up with the system configured in IDE mode
• Run REGEDIT
• Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\msahci (Windows 7)
• Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci (Windows 8)
• Change the Start value to 0

Example

Windows 7 (service name is msahci)

Windows 8 (service name is storahci)

Applies to:

• All desktop or laptop machines running Windows 7 or Windows 8

Updating the EC Firmware

Please only update the EC Firmware when instructed by Stone Support. Updating the EC Firmware as a matter of routine if you are not experiencing any issues is not recommended.

The instructions below are designed for Administrators. If you are not comfortable following these instructions please let your Stone Support representative know - and we will be happy to apply the update for you.

Instructions

The W515LE EC update for Windows can be downloaded here (last update 15/1/17 to improve the reliability of the batch file).

• Download the file and extract to a new folder:

• Right click on ECFLASH.bat and click  "Run as administrator"

• You will then be met with 2 warnings, click "OK" to both.

• The flash programme will then appear and automatically re-flash the EC update.

• Once this process is finished the machine will automatically power down.
• After the machine powers down, unplug the AC adapter for 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
• Turn the Stonebook Mini back on.

Applies to:

• Stonebook Mini M10A (w515lu) - NOTCHA-279 and NOTCHA-281

Stone NT305-Pro (T5110)

Please find attached the Stone NT305-Pro (T5110) User Manual.

Applies to:

• Stone NT305-Pro 15.6" Laptop (NOTCHA-211)

Stone NT310-H (W550SU1)

Please find attached the Stone NT310-H (W550SU1) User Manual.

Function Keys / Hotkeys

The function keys will act as hotkeys when pressed whilst the FN key is held down. Some key combinations will also generate an on screen message when the Hotkey utility is installed.

Applies to:

• Stone NT310-H laptop (NOTCHA-260, NOTCHA-265, NOTCHA-271. NOTCHA-272, NOTCHA-274, NOTCHA-282 and ODMKIT-002 (replacement motherboard kit)).

Stone Classmate 3 (TL10IE1)

Please find attached the Stone Classmate 3 (TL10IE1) User Manual.

Applies to:

• Stone Classmate 3 (NOTCHA-263 and NOTCHA-264)

Process

In this example, we're updating a Stonebook Lite L105B BIOS from 1.07.03 to 1.07.04TRO

Download and extract the relevant BIOS files, then locate the Insyde BIOS updater application, highlighted below.

Open the application and you will get the following prompt.

Click on OK and the notebook will reboot and begin the BIOS update process. 

Once complete the notebook will turn off. When turning the machine back on it will take up to 30 seconds to POST. Once on enter the BIOS and check it has updated correctly.

Applies to:

• All Stone notebooks with an Insyde BIOS

Stone NT310 (W550EU)

Please find attached the Stone NT310 (W550EU) User Manual.

Applies to:

• Stone NT310 Laptop

Stone Classmate 4 (TL10RE1)

Please find attached the Stone Classmate 4 (TL10RE1) User Manual.

Applies to:

• Stone Classmate 4 (NOTCHA-273)

Where is the Product Key?

Microsoft made an improvement to its activation process in Windows 8 meaning all machines built with this operating system installed no longer have a COA label affixed to them. A digital key is incorporated into the BIOS of the machine by Stone Computers in the factory.

You can still see that your machine is licensed for Windows 8 by the small logo label, usually affixed underneath your machine if your machine is a notebook.

Apples to:

• All systems shipped with Windows 8.x

Scenerio

When you Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver, the Intel tray Icon and Hotkey program are installed by default. In some situations it is advantageous to remove these programs, for example, to prevent users accidentally rotating the screen.

How this Can Be Done

This can be done by manually by making registry changes to the system. There are two methods available, and old and a new method which will depend upon the age of the Intel HD Graphics driver you have installed.

New Method

Check for a Registry entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Intel\Display\igfxcui\igfxtray\TrayIcon > ShowTrayIcon.

• If you have this key, you can set the value to 0 to prevent the tray icon from appearing. If you do not have this key, either create the TrayIcon key and then RegDWORD, or try the Old Method below.
• You will also need to disable the Hotkey functionality by setting HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Intel\Display\igfxcui\HotKeys > Enable to 0.

​

Old Method

Check the for the presence of the key IgfxTray under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. If you have this key and the above method does not work, then it is likely that you have an older Intel display driver. If you have an older driver, you will need to remove the three keys below to prevent the tray icon from appearing.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - IgfxTray
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - HotKeysCmds
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - Persistence

Once removed, there is no easy way to restore the tray icon other than restoring the registry entries from another machine, or reinstalling the driver.

Deployment Package

Manual removal is not convenient when rolling out large numbers of PCs. Please use the attached package for removal as part of a deployment or rollout.

The package contains:

• The registry file to remove the required registry entries (for example, you can use regedit /s remove_intel_igfx_tray.reg as part of a script).
• An alternative script for removal which relies upon the registry file.

Applies to:

• Desktop, Laptop and Tablet products which include Intel HD Graphics.

Process

In this example, we're updating a Stonebook Lite L105B to a custom EC that disables num lock.

Download and extract the relevant EC files, then run the ECFLASH batch file. The correct batch file will be located in the WinFlash directory. This will start the process of updating the KBC/EC.

Once the EC update has been completed successfully the machine will automatically shut down. When the unit has turned off disconnect the power cable for 10 seconds, then reconnect and power the machine back on.

You can check in the BIOS to see if the update has been completed successfully, the update in this example should now be at 1.07.04BST.

Applies to:

• All Stone notebooks with an Insyde BIOS

Stone N120 (W310CZ) User Manual

Please see attached.

Applies to:

• Stone N120 11.6" Laptop

Stonebook Pro and StoneBook Lite

Please find attached the user manual for the following Stone notebooks:

• Stonebook Pro P10A (n24_25ju)
• Stonebook Pro P11A (n24_25ju)
• Stonebook Lite L10A (n24_25ju)
• Stonebook Lite L11A (n24_25ju)

Function Keys / Hotkeys

The function keys will act as hotkeys when pressed whilst the FN key is held down. Some key combinations will also generate an on screen message when the Hotkey utility is installed.

Windows 7 Driver Support

The Stonebook Pro and Stonebook Lite have basic Windows 7 support. SCCM driver packs are available here or through the Driver Finder. A basic Windows 7 driver package for x86 and x64 is also available here. Stone have tested the Windows 7 drivers but recommend that you fully test your images and drivers before deploying systems.

If you are Installing Windows 7 from a USB Pen Drive:

You may need to add the USB 3.0 Drivers to the image - for more information see here.

If you are Booting From A Network Image

You may need to add the USB 3.0 Drivers to the image as well the the LAN Drivers (x86 or x64). You might need to remove older versions of the Realtek LAN Controller driver from your image first.

Applies to:

• Stonebook Pro P10A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-277
• Stonebook Pro P11A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-278
• Stonebook Lite L10A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-276
• Stonebook Lite L11A (n24_25ju) - NOTCHA-280