The Serial Number

When logging a support call with Stone Computers Service helpdesk, one of the details that we need to identify the machine is the Serial number.

This is usually found on a silver Stone sticker (underneath the bar code) on the case. For any reason this number has become faded over time due to use, you are able to access it through the command line as below.

How to Retrieve the Serial Number from the Motherboard

These steps are designed for a system administrator, or for customers which have local administrator rights. If you do not have the permissions to add programs or make changes to your system, you may need your administrator to carry out these instructions for you:

Steps:

• Open an Administrative Command prompt
• Type wmic bios get serialnumber and then press Enter

This will then query the bios for the system serial number and return it in the command line.

Applies to:

• Stone branded Desktop and Laptop systems

All current Stone PC systems (with exception of some netbook and tablet products) are 64-bit Windows capable. 64-bit capable systems allow a 64-bit version of Windows to address more memory, whereas traditional 32-bit systems were limited to 4GB of memory. If your system has more than 4GB of memory you will need to be running 64-bit Windows to take advantage of this increased capacity.

Applies to:

• All desktop, laptop, netbook and tablet products. 

How to Update the BIOS on the NT210-H Laptop

BIOS Updates are available for the Stone NT210-H Haswell based laptop.

What you need to Perform the Update

• Prepare a Windows 98SE DOS Bootable pen drive
• Download the latest BIOS file (BIOS 1.03.07 / EC 1.03.06)

Steps

• Extract the downloaded file to the pen drive.
• Ensure that the system to be updated is connected to the AC mains and also has a battery level of at least 20%.
• Boot the system to be updated from the pen drive.
• Run ECFLASH to update the EC Firmware.
• Then shut the system down if it doesn't turn off automatically.
• Boot the system up again and start it again from the pen drive.
• Run the FLASH batch file to flash the main BIOS.

​

Applies to:

• Stone NT210-H Laptop - NOTCHA-272

Stone Branded Laptops and Tablets Warranty Provision

Our branded laptops and tablets are available with some of the best service offerings available in the industry, including next business day service options for a length of up to five years.

The batteries on Stone branded product are warranted for a maximum of three years. This protects you against manufacturing defects or outright battery failures (such as the battery not being detected).

However, like most battery warranties today there are some limits or exclusions; these are based upon the technology used to produce modern batteries.

Reduction in Capacity Over Time

Lithium-ION (LI-ION) batteries do not suffer from the memory effect problem of earlier generations of battery technology. However, LI-ION batteries do suffer from loss of original battery capacity over time. This is irrespective of the amount of use and irrespective of where or not the battery has been stored in a discharged (flat) or charged state.

The amount of capacity loss varies, but on average it equates to between 20% and 30% of the original battery capacity per year.

This means that at the end of two years, for example, the battery capacity may have reduced in the amount of runtime available from between 40% and 60% from the original level. This is the standard expectation of LI-ION battery capacity performance across the industry, and this is the reason that notebook batteries are now generally classed as consumable items.

Reductions of battery capacity over time are not covered by the battery warranty.

What Can I do to Minimise the Reduction of Capacity?

To protect the battery as much as possible, protect the equipment from extremes of temperature, especially temperatures below freezing or above 30C. For example, do not leave the equipment exposed outside, and do not leave the equipment in direct sunlight. Also avoid placing the equipment directly above or in contact with radiators or other strong heat sources.

What Else Can I Do?

Customers that need long battery run times after two or three years of battery use may wish to consider buying replacement batteries. Your Stone Account manager will be able to advise you on price and availability.

Applies to:

• Stone branded laptop and tablet products

Changing DMI Strings

Some of the DMI strings in the Intel desktop board BIOSes can be changed using the utilty attached to this article. To run the utility, you will need a Windows 98SE bootable USB pen drive.

1. Make the USB pen drive bootable.
2. Extract the utility to the pen drive.
3. Boot the system from the pen drive (use the F10 option to get the boot menu).
4. Run DMI.BAT

The following strings will be prompted for:

• System serial number (this should be the serial number on the Stone serial number sticker).
• Bay Number (normally this is not used; Stone systems may have a QC tracking number here).
• Chassis Asset Tag (this should be used for the end-customer asset tag number).

​This DMI utility will also program "OEGStone" into the BIOS as a manufacturer string.

Applies to:

• Stone / Clevo notebook model NT303 or NT307

We recommend you use the standard 32-bit version of Internet Explorer for the best experience.

• For most purposes the standard (32-bit) version of Internet Explorer will perform perfectly.
• While the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer can potentially use more system memory, you may find that some web page add-ons do not load or install using 64-bit Internet Explorer.

 Applies to:

• Desktop and Laptop Products
• Microsoft Windows
• Internet Explorer

How to Update the BIOS on the Stonebook Pro or Stonebook Lite Laptops

A BIOS update is available for the Stonebook Pro and Stonebook Lite Skylake based laptops. This BIOS introduces UEFI support for Windows 7 installations. UEFI support is required for TPM (2.0) functionality on these models with Windows 7, due to a Microsoft limitation.

What you need to Perform the Update

• You will need a copy of the BIOS file and then decide which one of the two methods to use, below. We recommend that you use the Windows 98SE DOS Bootable Pen drive method, however a Windows Flash is also available.

Method 1 - Windows 98SE DOS Bootable Pen Drive

• Extract the downloaded file to the pen drive.
• Ensure that the system to be updated is connected to the AC mains and also has a battery level of at least 20%.
• Disable UEFI boot in the BIOS, if enabled.
• Boot the system to be updated from the pen drive.
• Run the FLASH batch file to flash the BIOS.
• Then shut the system down if it doesn't turn off automatically.
• Start the system back up and re-enable UEFI boot in the BIOS if it was previously enabled.

Method 2 - Flashing from Within Windows 10

• Login to the system to be updated as an Administrator.
• Extract the downloaded file to C drive of the machine to be updated. Do not attempt to use the flash files from a network location.
• Ensure that the system to be updated is connected to the AC mains and also has a battery level of at least 20%.
• Open an Administrative Command Prompt.
• Open the location containing the extracted files.
• Run the WINFLASH batch file to flash the BIOS.
  • ​This will automatically detect if you are running on x86 or x64 Windows and run the right flash utility accordingly.
• Then shut the system down if it doesn't turn off automatically.

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

Flight Mode

Flight or Airplane mode on modern laptops is a setting than can be used to ensure that all of the laptops internal wireless, bluetooth and 3G/4G connectivity is turned off.

Laptops such as the Stone NT310-H and newer have a Wireless Flight mode status indicator which works the opposite way around to previous Wireless LAN indicators.

• When the Flight mode indicator is lit, wireless radios are disabled.
• When the Flight mode indicator is off, flight mode is off and the wireless radios will work.

Use the keyboard hotkey on the NT310-H of Fn + F11 to toggle Wireless Flight mode on and off.

This functionality works in both Windows 7 and Windows 8.x.

My Flight Mode LED Does Not Work. Why is this?

If you do not get an on-screen message regarding flight mode or wireless status, or if the Airplane LED stays on or off when you press Fn + F11, this is because you have not installed the Hotkey Utility. Install the Hotkey utility to get on screen messages about most function keys, for example, audio settings. The Hotkey utility also controls the Airplane mode LED.

Download the Hotkey Utility from the Stone Driver Finder. Ensure you install the latest version available for your model and operating system.

Stone NT310-H Function Key Summary

Windows 8

In addition to Fn + F11 support Windows 8 and 8.1 support a Wireless Flight mode toggle via the Charm Bar - Open the Charm Bar, go to Settings, then WiFi.

Applies to:

• Stone NT310-H Laptop (NOTCHA-260 and NOTCHA-265).

Changing DMI Strings

Some of the DMI strings in the Intel desktop board BIOSes can be changed using the utilty attached to this article. To run the utility, you will need a Windows 98SE bootable USB pen drive.

1. Make the USB pen drive command prompt bootable.
2. Disable UEFI boot in the BIOS, if enabled.
3. Extract the utility to the pen drive.
4. Boot the system from the pen drive (use the F10 option to get the boot menu).
5. Run DMI.BAT

The following strings will be prompted for:

• System serial number (this should be the serial number on the Stone serial number sticker).
• Bay Number (normally this is not used; Stone systems may have a QC tracking number here).
• Chassis Asset Tag (this should be used for the end-customer asset tag number).

​This DMI utility will also program "OEGStone" into the BIOS as a manufacturer string.

And lastly:

6. Start the system back up and re-enable UEFI boot in the BIOS if it was previously enabled.

Applies to:

• Stone / Clevo notebook models N120, NT210-H, NT308, NT309, NT310 and NT310-H

Problem

I have a 3G card installed in my Stone/Clevo notebook and I have a compatible SIM card inserted, but the 3G card is not shown in Device Manager, preventing me from using it to connect to the Internet.

How to Solve this Issue

It is possible that the 3G capability on the notebook is switched off, in a similar way that the Wireless Network adapter can be switched on and off by using a function (Fn) key.

The 3G capability can be switched on and off using the key combination (Fn + -).

 Applies to:

• N1xx and NT3xx series products with 3G cards installed.

Scenario

TPM Modules can become locked when too many incorrect PIN attempts are made to access the information stored on the module. The number of failed attempts before lockout will vary depending on the TPM version (1.2 or 2.0) and in the case of TPM 2.0, the policies configured in the operating system.

• If your system has TPM 2.0, then by default you need to wait 2 hours after lockout before re-attempting the correct pin, or wait 64 hours for the pin attempts to be completely forgotten.

If you have replaced the motherboard in your Bitlocker protected system and the new motherboard arrives with TPM provisioned, you may be locked out from TPM as you will likely not know the PIN, or you may not be able to re-provision the TPM for re-use.

When Locked Out

If you are locked out, you cannot enter the correct pin to remove the lockout. You then have three options:

• Wait for the lockout duration to end
• Remove the Lockout - Use TPM.MSC to Remove the Lockout
• Clear the TPM

When TPM is Unusable

When you can't take ownership of the TPM module or provision the TPM Module for use, follow these options:

• Check that you don't have manufacturer TPM drivers installed (always use generic Microsoft TPM software).
• In the case of Windows 7 x64 and TPM 2.0, make sure you are running the BIOS in UEFI mode.
• If you have replaced the motherboard, ensure that the motherboard BIOS is up to date.
• Clear the TPM

Removing the Lockout

• You will need the TPM owner password or owner password file (.TPM). If you have protected your system with Bitlocker and cannot boot the system to get TPM.MSC, then you will need to boot the system from an alternative, non-encrypted drive.
  • Open MMC and select TPM Management for the Local Computer​

​​

• Click on Reset TPM Lockout.

• ​Provide the TPM owner password or password file (.TPM)

Clearing the TPM

Use these methods:

• To get around a TPM module which has been locked out from too many incorrect PIN attempts, and you don't want to wait for the lockout period to end or you don't have the owner password / password file.
• Or with a TPM module which cannot be re-provisioned, for example after a motherboard replacement.

Clearing the TPM can be done one of four ways, each of which increase in complexity. Always log on with local Administrative rights before using these instructions.

1. Clearing the TPM Using the BIOS
2. Clearing the TPM Using MMC
3. Clearing the TPM Using the MMC after setting the Windows TPM Authorisation Level
4. Clearing the TPM Using the MMC after Enabling Blocked TPM Commands

1. Clearing the TPM Using the BIOS

• In the BIOS, usually under the Security section, use the option to clear the TPM.
• This action cannot be reversed and will result in the loss of any encrypted data - for example, you will then need to reimage the machine and re-encrypt the drive.

2. Clearing the TPM Using MMC

If your BIOS does not have the option to clear the TPM, then you will need to clear the TPM using Windows.

• Open MMC and select TPM Management for the Local Computer
• Select Clear TPM...
• Click on Restart when prompted

• When the system reboots you will be prompted to ensure that you want the TPM cleared.

3. Clearing the TPM Using the MMC after setting the Windows TPM Authorisation Level

Attempting to clearing the TPM without making any other Windows changes first, as in Step 2., may not be successful. This is because some versions of Windows have safeguards to prevent the accidental erasure of cryptographic information.

The first change to make if Step 2. is not successful is to change the Windows TPM Delegation Level.

• Check the Delegation Level by running get-tpm from inside an Administrative PowerShell prompt.

• Not that the default ManagedAuthLevel is Delegated. This needs to be changed to Managed.
• This needs to be done using Group Policy (if this setting has been administered centrally), or using the Local Policy Editor
• To make the change using the Local Policy Editor, first run gpedit.msc

• Browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Trusted Platform Module Services.

• Double click on the setting Configure the level of TPM owner authorization information available to the operating system.
• Change the setting from its default of Not Configured, to Enabled.
• Then, in the options, change the Operating system managed TPM authentication level to Full.

• Then click on OK.
• Policy changes need to be applied to the system. To do this, from an Administrative command prompt, type GPUPDATE /FORCE

• You can now check that the Managed Authorisation Level has taken effect, by running get-tpm again from the Administrative Powershell prompt.

• Now re-attempt clearing the TPM using the MMC as in Step 2.
• If this method is successful, if you carry on using the same installation of Windows, you should then change the TPM owner authorization Policy back to Not Configured, to allow the default of Delegated to take effect.

4. Clearing the TPM Using the MMC after Enabling Blocked TPM Commands

Windows by default blocks the use of some TPM commands to prevent abuse. If the instructions in Step 2 do not work, you may need to de-restrict the TPM commands that can be used.

• Using MMC, open TPM Management for the Local Computer.
• Double click on TPM Management on Local Computer, to get to Command Management.
• Click on Command Management and confirm that some or all TPM commands are blocked from use.

• To enable the blocked commands, you will need to make changes either Group Policy (if your settings are centrally administered) or through the Local Policy.
• To get to the Local Policy, run gpedit.msc

• Browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Trusted Platform Module Services.

​

• Double click on Ignore the default list of blocked TPM commands, and change it from the default setting of Not Configured, to Enabled.

• Do the same for Ignore the local list of blocked TPM commands - change this to Enabled.

• You should now have three settings configured, as below.

• Again, update the local policy usage by running GPUPDATE /FORCE from an Administrative command prompt.

• Check that all TPM commands are now available.
• To do this, go back to the TPM Management MMC.
• Under Command Management, click Refresh on the right hand side.
• Confirm that all commands are now Allowed.

• Re-attempt Clearing the TPM using Step 2.
• If this method is successful, if you carry on using the same installation of Windows, you should then change the settings of Ignore the default list of blocked TPM commands and Ignore the local list of blocked TPM commands back to Not Configured.

Applies to:

• All systems with TPM 1.2 or 2.0

Stone Computers systems USB 3.0 ports can be recognised by the blue colour of the USB port connector. This is an industry standard. Use the USB 3.0 ports to take advantage of much faster data transfer rates compared to USB 2.0, when used with devices that support this standard.

Applies to:

• All Stone PCs and laptops from 2011 that include USB 3.0 controllers (6 Series chipsets and later).

Three Levels of Access

There are three levels of BIOS password on Stone notebooks from the 2012 model year onwards.

• Supervisor. If you set a Supervisor password and then attempt to enter the BIOS, you must enter this password to gain access to all BIOS settings including UEFI and SATA mode. If you do not enter the Supervisor password correctly, and have not set a User password, you will automatically get User mode BIOS privileges.
• User. The User mode gives access to all BIOS settings except UEFI control and SATA mode control. If you intend for your users to have this level of access, you should set a Supervisor password to prevent users automatically getting access to all BIOS settings through Supervisor mode.
• Boot. A boot password will prompt the user for a password to boot the machine into the operating system every time the machine is switched on.​

Applies To

• Stone / Clevo NT303 - NOTCHA-227
• Stone / Clevo NT305 - NOTCHA-200
• Stone / Clevo NT307 - NOTCHA-228, NOTCHA-243
• Stone / Clevo NT309 - NOTCHA-244, NOTCHA-254
• Stone / Clevo NT310 (W550EU) - NOTCHA-256, NOTCHA-257, NOTCHA-260, NOTCHA-261, NOTCHA-262
• Stone / Clevo NT310-H (W550SU1) - NOTCHA-260, NOTCHA-265

​

Changing DMI Strings

Some of the DMI strings in Stone N108 Netbooks can be changed using the utilty attached to this article. To run the utility, you will need a Windows 98SE bootable USB pen drive.

1. Make the USB pen drive bootable.
2. Extract the utility to the pen drive.
3. Boot the system from the pen drive (use the F10 option to get the boot menu).
4. Run DMI.BAT

The following strings will be prompted for:

• System serial number (this should be the serial number on the Stone serial number sticker).
• Bay Number (normally this is not used; Stone systems may have a QC tracking number here).
• Chassis Asset Tag (this should be used for the end-customer asset tag number).

​This DMI utility will also program "OEGStone" into the BIOS as a manufacturer string.

Applies to:

• Stone / Clevo Netbook model N108 (NOTCHA-241)

Enabling or Disabling Devices from the Command Line

It is possible to Enable or Disable devices from the command line using the Microsoft Devcon utility. This simulates device manager functionality.

The sample scripts attached will enable or disable all bluetooth devices from the following Intel wireless adapters:

• Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230
• Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235
• Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 135
• Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030
• Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230
• Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 130

Instructions

As the devcon utility is not redistributable you will need to download this from Microsoft:

1. Download the Devcon package from here to your Desktop or Downloads folder.
2. Extract the Devcon package by double clicking on the download. Extract the files to a sub-folder called "devcon extracted". Then copy the "devcon.exe" file from the i386 subfolder inside "devcon extracted".
3. Paste the devcon.exe file into a new working folder called "BT utilities"
4. Download the "enable or disable devices.zip" file attached to this article and extract the contents into "BT utilities"
5. Modify the enable_BT.cmd and disable_BT.cmd files to include any additional device IDs that you might need.
6. Make the "BT utilities" folder available over the network, and test it.
7. You may be able to deploy this utility using group policy but bear in mind that any device manager operations, including those called by the Devcon utility, may require Administrative rights.

Applies to:

• The utilities attached can be used for any device ID or IDs, however the specific devices controlled by the example script attached are the Intel bluetooth controllers included in their Mini-PCI wireless cards up to July 2013.

Problem

The webcam detects in device manager, but the end user cannot access it in some, or all apps.

Steps

1. Go to Windows settings and select Privacy. Alternatively you can start a search for camera privacy settings

2. Select the camera option in the left pane and verify that it says "Camera access for this device is on". If it's off click on change and toggle it to on.

3. Make sure the  “Allow apps to access your camera” switch is on.

4. Under "Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera" you can now toggle on the apps you want to use.

5. Make sure that the "Desktop App Web Viewer" is turned on as some desktop applications will need it.

6. Scroll down and ensure the "Allow desktop apps to access your camera" is toggled on.

7. You will also need to apply these same changes for the microphone privacy settings.

8. Restart the applications you were having issues with that required the use of the webcam & mic.

Applies to:

• Any machine that has an inbuilt webcam & microphone.

We do not recommend that you update your BIOS unless you have a specific problem that needs resolving. In this instance, please contact Stone support for assistance. We can help you diagnose any problem, and can give you all of the information you need for any BIOS update.

If you would like to try the BIOS update on your own, these are made available when necessary on the Stone driver finder - Stone Driver Finder.

Applies to:

• All Stone Desktop and Laptop systems

BIOS Updates

As of November 2014, there is now a BIOS update available to support the new USB 3.0 / Gigabit LAN Adapter, CABUSB-224. This is version 1.04. (This is seperate to the previous update for the touchscreen firmware for early units - see related articles - however the update for the touchscreen is not related to the main BIOS).

Overview

The original BIOS 1.00 (dated 2014.0606) was shipped on systems until the end of November 2014. To flash the latest BIOS 1.04, an intermediate BIOS version 1.02 must be installed first.

To perform the flash, the EFI System Partition must be present on the hard drive. This means that the hard drive/SSD/flash module must be fitted and working before the BIOS can be updated. Once you have an EFI system partition, the BIOS update(s) can be performed either in the EFI Environment or the Windows PE Environment.

BIOS 1.04 has an optional dock firmware update ("dock_V106"). This firmware update is only applicable to the original dock models which use an orange power connector. This update can only be done in Windows PE or full Windows. It cannot be done inside EFI.

Additionally, BIOS 1.04 has an optional tablet EC firmware update ("Tablet_V106"). This can be applied to any model that was shipped before December 2014. This update can only be done in EFI. It cannot be done inside Windows or Windows PE.

Initial Steps (Assuming BIOS 1.00 is currenly installed)

• Download the BIOS 1.02 file and extract it to a FAT32 formatted USB pen drive or a folder on your Windows PE boot pen drive.
• Connect the AC Adapter and power on the system.
• Use Windows Disk Manager to determine if the system has an EFI System Partition (ESP). If does not, for example if the chassis is new or the system has been completely erased, you will not have an ESP partition and one will need to be created. If the system still boots a Stone factory software image, the ESP partition should be present.

Once you are sure an EFI System Partition is present:

Option 1: Flash From Within Windows

This option is quickest if the system is already booted into Windows or Windows PE.

• If you have just created the ESP and are still in the Windows PE Command prompt, run WINFLASH.BAT to start the update process from within the Windows PE command prompt. Remember to use the CD command to change to the drive and folder containing the updates (for example, CD /d C:\Flash)
• If you have booted Windows or Windows PE, open an Administrative Command prompt and run WINFLASH.BAT
• Reboot the system
• Repeat the process using BIOS 1.04.
• Flash the BIOS 1.04 V106 Dock update if the dock has an orange power connector. Simply run the EXE as an administrator. If the dock does not have an orange power connector, this update is not required.
• Flash the BIOS 1.04 Tablet V106 update - this will need to be done in EFI. Run FEC.NSH.

Option 2: Flash from the EFI Shell

This option is quickest if you don't have an Administrative logon to the copy of Windows that is installed, or don't want to wait to boot full Windows. Again, the EFI System Partition needs to be present. If you have the EFI System Partition, when you boot to the EFI Shell the pen drive will be available as FS1:. If you do not have an EFI system partition the only drive available to you will be FS0:, and you will need to create the EFI System partition using a bootable Windows PE drive.

• With the USB key containing the update plugged into the USB port, power on the notebook
• Immediately from power on, tap the F11 key to get the boot menu
• Choose the option to boot the Internal Shell.
• Type in FS1: <enter> to change the Shell prompt to select the USB pen drive you have inserted.
  • If this doesn't work, type in MAP -R<enter> to attempt to scan for devices again, and then try FS1:<enter> again.
  • If this still doesn't work, try the pen drive in the other USB slot, or try a different USB pen drive.
• Type Shellflash to start the flash process.

• Once the flash is complete, repeat the process using BIOS 1.04.
• Flash the BIOS 1.04 V106 Dock update if the dock has an orange power connector. This will need to be done in Windows - simply run the EXE as an administrator. If the dock does not have an orange power connector, this update is not required.
• Flash the BIOS 1.04 Tablet V106 update - this will need to be done in EFI. Run FEC.NSH.

Standard BIOS Downloads

Current BIOS

BIOS 1.00 0606 Original Stone Logo BIOS (this is the original shipping BIOS until November 2014).

BIOS 1.02 Intermediate BIOS (this BIOS must be installed before you can update to BIOS 1.04; this is not a Stone Logo BIOS so machines should not be left running the BIOS).

BIOS 1.04 Stone Logo BIOS (includes "dock_v106" for docks which have an orange power connector, and "tablet_v106" - an EC update for all models shipped before December 2014).

Combined BIOS Package 1.00 to 1.04 - All BIOSes and Firmwares (includes all of the above and the touchscreen update for early units with unresponsive touchscreens).

Applies to:

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

How to Update the BIOS on the NT310 Laptop

BIOS Updates are available for the Stone NT310 laptop which add support for Windows 8.1.

What you need to Perform the Update

• Prepare a Windows 98SE DOS Bootable pen drive
• Download the the BIOS file that you need depending on which version of Windows you are running:

Windows 8 / 8.1:

• Windows 8/8.1 BIOS, ME and EC Package
• Beta Windows 8/8.1 BIOS, ME and EC Package with the Critical Battery Warning Beeps Disabled

Windows 7:

• Windows 7 BIOS, ME and EC Package
• Beta Windows 7 BIOS, ME and EC Package with the Critical Battery Warning Beeps Disabled

Steps

• Extract the downloaded file to the pen drive.
• Ensure that the system to be updated is connected to the AC mains and also has a battery level of at least 20%.
• Boot the system to be updated from the pen drive.
• Run ECFLASH to update the EC Firmware.
• Then shut the system down if it doesn't turn off automatically.
• Boot the system up again and start it again from the pen drive.
• Run MESET.
• The system should reboot. If it does not, reset the system.
• Boot the system from the pen drive for a third time.
• Run the FLASHME batch file to flash the main BIOS.

As of 11/3/2014, when you have updated the BIOS you will have these new code versions installed:

• BIOS 1.03.02 TRO
• KBC/EC 1.03.01 (or 1.03.01ST with the Critical Battery Warning Disabled)

Applies to:

• Stone NT310 Laptop - NOTCHA-256, NOTCHA-257, NOTCHA-261 and NOTCHA-262.

Use of Third Party Chargers

Use of third party laptop chargers on Stone branded laptop products is supported but only when an appropriate charger is used. Use of a charger of the wrong rating or connector may void your product warranty, and may cause product damage.

Guidelines on the use of Third Party Chargers

• DO use a charger of the same voltage as the original charger. Chargers that supply a lower or higher voltage should not be used. Most laptops have confirmation of the input voltage required on a label on the underside of the machine
• DO use a charger of the same or greater power output, either in watts (W) or amps (A).
• DO use a charger that provides a regulated output. Most laptop chargers do provide a regulated output, however many low cost generic power adapters (i.e. power adapters not built specifically for laptops) do not provide a regulated output.

We recommend the use of branded charges which clearly show the CE Marking, and show if the device is Class 1 or Class 2.

Example

For an original adapter that supplies 19V 3.42A (65W) please see the following examples of substitute adapter and whether or not they can be used:

Key:

• V = Volts, or voltage. Measurement of electrical pressure.
• A = Amps; measurement of current or electrical flow.
• W = Power in Watts - total power derived by multiplying the voltage (V) and amps (A).

​

Diagnosis

Some notebook or tablet chargers have an LED directly on the charger itself. This LED is only useful to tell you that there is mains present (for example, that the fuse is OK). If the LED is not functioning, AC mains could still be present but the charger has failed. Conversely, even if the LED is illuminated, this does not guarantee that the charger is fully functional.

Other Dos and Donts

• Always replace the mains adapter if the cable becomes damaged or frayed
• Always keep the mains adapter and the notebook away from water or sources of moisture
• Never attempt to repair a mains adapter yourself. The only user replaceable components is the mains fuse on the mains lead, and the mains lead itself.

Applies to:

• Laptop and tablet products

Answer

Stone Computers laptop systems support the latest power-saving techniques when manufactured to extend the battery life, or run-time. You will need to configure your operating system to enable these technologies. Instructions for Microsoft Windows 7 are below.

Instructions

• Click on the Start Symbol, and then click to go into Control Panel
• Click on Hardware and Sound
• Click on Power Options
• Click on the Power Saver power plan to activate it. This will dim the screen slightly, and also reduce the laptop performance slightly to make it as efficient as possible, to increase the battery run-time.

Applies to:

• All Stone laptop products.

What is a Dead, or Stuck Pixel?

All modern flat panel screens are made up of tiny lit elements known as pixels. These pixels use combinations of red, blue and green light to build images on the screen.

It is a fact of the technology that even despite the highest manufacturing standards, that sometimes it is possible to receive a new screen and have a dead pixel. This could be visible as a pixel that is constantly white, constantly black, or partially stuck - for example, it might be a stuck on as red, blue or green.

What Is the Pixel Policy Standard?

Manufacturers make equipment to an international standard (called ISO 13406-2) so that users receive the experience that they expect. Most equipment that Stone supplies is known as Class II equipment as regards pixel policy. Details of what the policy is are covered below. It is only when you have a number of dead pixels over the amount specified in the table is the product deemed to have fallen short of the standard.

• W/B Clusters: How many white or black stuck pixel clusters are permitted: 0.
• R/G/B Clusters: How many Red/Green/Blue semi stuck pixel clusters are allowed: Up to 2.

​These numbers are all per million screen pixels. On a standard 15.6" laptop screen that has a 1366x768 resolution, there are just over one million pixels, so the above numbers apply exactly.

So, am I Covered by Warranty?

Stone is proud to deliver excellent products and customer service, and as such we support our partners and suppliers with this pixel policy. If you receive a product that is outside of this policy please let us know within 30 days so that we can get the unit exchanged under our dead-on-arrival (DOA) facility.

If you have a single black or white stuck pixel, then usually this is not covered. Please do not hesitate to contact our Support team if you are unsure if you are covered or not.

Applies to:

• Monitors
• All-in-one screens
• Laptops, netbooks and tablets

How to Update the BIOS on the NT310-H Laptop

BIOS Updates are available for the Stone NT310-H Haswell based laptop.

What you need to Perform the Update

• Prepare a Windows 98SE DOS Bootable pen drive
• Download the latest BIOS file (BIOS 1.05.02 / EC 1.03.06)
  • Alternatively, a previous BIOS file is available (BIOS 1.03.07 / EC 1.03.06)
  • A further previous BIOS file is also available (BIOS 1.03.06TRO / EC 1.03.04)

Steps

• Extract the downloaded file to the pen drive.
• Ensure that the system to be updated is connected to the AC mains and also has a battery level of at least 20%.
• Disable UEFI boot in the BIOS, if enabled.
• Boot the system to be updated from the pen drive.
• Run ECFLASH to update the EC Firmware.
• Then shut the system down if it doesn't turn off automatically.
• Boot the system up again and start it again from the pen drive.
• Run the FLASH batch file to flash the main BIOS.
• When the flash has completed, shut the system down, if it does not shut down automatically.
• Start the system back up and re-enable UEFI boot in the BIOS if it was previously enabled.

​

Applies to:

• Stone NT310-H Laptop - NOTCHA-260 and NOTCHA-265.