• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Looking for the driver for Tab 3 7 for Windows XP

mslisaj

Android Enthusiast
Feb 11, 2010
370
8
Klamath Falls, Oregon
I just purchased a Galaxy Tab 3 7 WiFi and it's perfect for what I need. I just use it for a fast camera, email, light web browsing and maybe Netflix. I also want to root it to get rid of all the boatware that is installed on it. But I am having trouble finding a clean driver for it so my Windows XP computer will recognize it. The few drivers I have found seem rather suspicious with their own bloatware attached. So I just want a simple driver. I went to Samsung thinking I would get it there and, just a warning, be careful of their support. They attempted to install Kies set up and wow I'm glad I aborted out of that before it was finished. So there has to be a nice simple driver for this tab.

Also I tried to use Netflix, now this was pre-installed on this device and after signing in to my account it wanted Google Chrome. Well I reluctantly got that going but still the same error came up about needing a newer Google Chrome. So I have two, I think, simple issues here.

Also the refurb units I think are priced at what this is worth at about $115 delivered. Any help and thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Lisa :)
 
I just purchased a Galaxy Tab 3 7 WiFi and it's perfect for what I need. I just use it for a fast camera, email, light web browsing and maybe Netflix. I also want to root it to get rid of all the boatware that is installed on it. But I am having trouble finding a clean driver for it so my Windows XP computer will recognize it. The few drivers I have found seem rather suspicious with their own bloatware attached. So I just want a simple driver. I went to Samsung thinking I would get it there and, just a warning, be careful of their support. They attempted to install Kies set up and wow I'm glad I aborted out of that before it was finished. So there has to be a nice simple driver for this tab.

Also I tried to use Netflix, now this was pre-installed on this device and after signing in to my account it wanted Google Chrome. Well I reluctantly got that going but still the same error came up about needing a newer Google Chrome. So I have two, I think, simple issues here.

Also the refurb units I think are priced at what this is worth at about $115 delivered. Any help and thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Lisa :)

Excuse me if I seem rude while answering your question. I would actually suggest you install lies because it comes with the Samsung USB mobile drivers which basically has drivers for almost every Samsung smartphone and tablet out there.
Also I don't think that version of the tan 3 has a root method yet.. I could be wrong but im pretty sure on this. Now what do you mean Netflix wanted Google chrome? Do you mean it wanted it installed or what?

P.s No such thing as a nice, simple driver. A driver is a driver. They usually arent complex to install since most manufacturers have them on their website.
 
Upvote 0
Well KageBeast, I appreciate your response and let me clear up some of the misconceptions of your answers. First, what I understand about Kies is that it's bloatware too. I am not looking for a way to sync this tablet with Outlook, I don't need it to automatically make play lists for me and ALL the other functions that Kies apparently installs on your computer. Personally I get nervous when I am installing anything that takes ten minutes for it to install and set up on it's own. Too much going on and too much spyware and bloatware going onto my system. After reading the reviews of Kies I haven't found anyone that has anything good to say about it.


As far as there not being a root method for this tablet, well, I have have found very specific root methods for this model SM-T210R. This is kind of an old technology tablet and that is why I started my original post with the explanation that this tablet suits my very simple needs and it fits better into my purse them my Retina Display iPad. Besides I truly like the Android OS better then then any Mac systems.


When I speak of a "simple driver" what I am asking for is JUST the driver and not all the things that apparently the sites that may have it want you to download with it. I have kind of been at this computer stuff for a long time and you have to be suspicious of what you are down loading. You can't just click on something that says "download here" as you may be downloading an employment application for something else and then they will give you the driver. I just want the driver as I have the skills to install it. The hardware manufactures are selling space on there equipment and in their software to these companies so they can market to you all kinds of stuff you may not want. So I am just looking for the driver file for this specific device. By the way, I did go to Samsung's website and that was the biggest run-a-round I have ever been caught in, thus my warning. They don't even offer just the driver or the drivers for this class of device. Thus I come here to where I have received great advice and answers over the years.


Now on the Netflix issue. I was just asking how to get Netflix to work on this tablet and if anyone else had trouble with that feature. Netflix was preinstalled on this tab and so was google chrome. But after I logged into Netflix and tried to make a selection I would get an information box saying that I either needed an approved browser or google chrome with a recent build - I forget the number they were specifically asking for. But it seemed strange to me that both programs come preloaded in this device and then Netflix would not work and needed something else. Just asking that question.


So thanks KageBeast for your response and no offense taken as I obviously did not make my questions very clear. But I hope this helps anyone else that may read my questions and concerns and can help.


Lisa
 
Upvote 0
I'm saying this from experience. Trust me kies is not bloatware. I personally use l
Kies and have it installed on two computers and its basically just iTunes for Samsung. It's also great because it lets you check for new updates for your phone or tablet. Also kies doesn't do any of that for me. Also not everything is spyware. Just because something takes that long to install doesn't mean it's installing junk. Most software nowadays let you decide what exactly you want installed anyways. So as I said before install kies so it can install the driver's for you. You can choose to uninstall kies afterwards while keeping the drivers.

Yeah I correct myself. I wasn't sure if there was a root method or not.

Also I don't know what's going on with your Netflix. When I was first using Netflix it never asked me for any of that. Try uninstalling updates for Netflix and clearing all data for it and then try.
 
Upvote 0
I'm saying this from experience. Trust me kies is not bloatware. I personally use Kies and have it installed on two computers and its basically just iTunes for Samsung.

Well we hit an accord there with "iTunes for Samsung". I struggled to get iTunes off my computer too after it became a system resource hog. Don't like iTunes and would not recommend it to anyone - I'm not alone there. I can manage my iPod just fine with winamp or direct file manipulation. So we do agree that Kies is like iTunes and we can leave it there.

I finally found the driver I needed and it was "just the driver" without all the other goodies. Got the Tab 3 recognized by the computer and I am off and running now.

I would suggest that anyone contemplating the install of Kies on their system to do a lot of research and read the reviews. Here is a link of reviews to get you started:

Kies - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

This will tell you what it is and what it does and what other users have to say about it. I respect your opinion kagebeast I'm glad it works for you on your machines but your experience is kind of the exception to what I would call a majority of the users have experienced.

The main reason I got the Samsung over the iPad mini is I don't like iTunes and the Android OS is "simple" and you don't need to be tied to anything to use it.

So appreciate the conversation kagebeast.

Regards,

Lisa
 
Upvote 0
I just bought the same Tab 3, refurbished for $120 (8 GB memory) and a 64 GB SD card to fit....i simply hooked up the Tablet to both of my windows XP SP3 computers, they both immediately recognized it and now I can transfer files to the SD card and the tablet. If you want to delete some of the Bloatware, you can use "clean master" which is free to download and use. I dont 'use kies, but I did use "smart switch" to download my calendar, contacts and photos from icloud to the tablet.

Honestly, I'm a person who uses both the Mac OS (computer) and Windows XP and windows 7 and all these systems have pros and cons. Same with IOS (jailbroken) for iphone and Android Jelly Bean..all have pros and cons....I don't find any of them "superior" to be honest.
 
Upvote 0
Here is how I did it and the guide with the files. A few years ago I rooted my HTC smart phone and the process always makes my heart stop a little. But you have to follow the instructions to the letter and it worked for me. My biggest issue was the very first step "install the drivers on your computer" to allow file transfer. Once I crossed that ground I was off and running and had this done in about an hour I think. Root access is truly where you want to be with any android device. Just my opinion.

Good luck.

Lisa
 
Upvote 0
So sorry FishenFool, yes I forgot in my haste to provide the link to the guide that I used. Here it is:

How to Root Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Wi-Fi on Android 4.1.2 [GUIDE]

This was very simple and straight forward and the links to the files you need to do it are provided. Except of course the driver files but I provided that link above already.

Good luck.

Lisa
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones