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Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

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Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#11

Post by dec0dedab0de »

gonzalohm wrote: post #2

A bit off-topic, but kind of relevant. I firmly believe that if installing custom firmware voids the warranty of a device, installing official updates should extend the warranty. I'm tired of sloppy updates or change of behavior that mess with how I use MY device. At this point, I'm convinced Google is doing this on purpose. My Google TV has become slow since the Gemini update, which I wasn't asked if I wanted it. My…

Google bricked all of the old fitbit scales with a firmware that glitches out and drains the battery. There were tons of reports at the time, but the devices were out of warranty so they didn’t fix it.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#14

Post by lostmsu »

semiquaver wrote: post #13

My framework was sitting in a drawer for two years and now will not turn on no matter how long I charge it. I assume there’s a dead coin cell in there somewhere or something that needs changed but it’s pretty disappointing.

My old crappy HP laptop boots with a battery pulled out.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#15

Post by gnfargbl »

> Still, I was very disappointed that Framework chose to entrust sensitive information to a third-party who obviously couldn’t keep the data safe.

Then you're going to be very disappointed a lot. When HIBP first came out, I worried over each incident. These days, breaches of non-payment data are so common that I don't even bother to sign up for notifications.

When it comes to PII, we live in a de facto panopticon.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#16

Post by benjojo12 »

anthonj wrote: post #12

I really don't understand how in 2025 a competent company can't implement a trival A/B flash update. Do they depend on some obscure contractor for the firmware and have no power here?

As with many things, "It's complicated" but effectively, yes

Such system firmware is generally provided by AMI / Insyde / Phoenix and similar.

There are a few vendors who decide to go their own way (notably google using a fork of Coreboot for their chromebooks), but it's generally list of vendors that you can count on a single hand.

If it means anything I'm pretty sure AMI provides A/B updates on most products i've used with their stuff.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#17

Post by SCdF »

I agree with their conclusion.

I somewhat regret buying my framework laptop at this stage, because the answer to every fault is "buy a new component, from framework".

I'm not sure I blame them for this really, but there is no competitive market of parts (or really any market at all), which means that the reality is that you're just locking your money to them. They also often have stock issues, so woe betide you if your component fails at the wrong time.

It's very hard to predict costs here, but framework laptops do seem to fail more than other brands, and their laptops do tend to be more expensive. In comparison to MacBooks I've used over the years, which other than screen delaminating, have been faultless, at least.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#18

Post by alnwlsn »

FfejL wrote: post #6

Was seriously considering getting a Framework to replace my aging ASUS. Upgrade- and repair-ability were my main motivations. But now I'm reconsidering. Not standing behind their own BIOS update is pretty horrible.

I like my framework, but I do wonder if the repairability angle is overstated if you're already used to fixing normal laptops. Yes, Framework's parts are easier to find, and the laptops are easier to open, but it's not like doing any of the typical repairs - keyboard, screen, touchpad, battery - are impossibly difficult on those other guys.

Used thinkpads and the glut of EBay parts for them reach about 85% of what Framework does for me, and at half the price. But it's a different experience.

Framework does seem like better build quality than most laptops I've had, but I'm used to cheap crappy ones.

On the other hand, you do seem to find more cases of multiple people doing things like the linked bios update procedure on framework.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#19

Post by allenbina »

anthonj wrote: post #12

I really don't understand how in 2025 a competent company can't implement a trival A/B flash update. Do they depend on some obscure contractor for the firmware and have no power here?

I know some higher end gaming motherboards that were targeted towards the overclocking community had two bios chips for exactly this purpose and switching between them was trivial from what I remember. If you overclocked too far, you wouldn't brick your system. It seemed like overkill to me. I'm guessing this is less common than it's worth to fix in software, but then at least continue to give support for the issue.

Re: Fixing a bricked Framework laptop

#20

Post by spacemanspiff01 »

zvmaz wrote: post #9
FfejL wrote: post #6

Was seriously considering getting a Framework to replace my aging ASUS. Upgrade- and repair-ability were my main motivations. But now I'm reconsidering. Not standing behind their own BIOS update is pretty horrible.

I had a very different experience with the Framework team. The battery died (within the warranty period), I reached out to them, they asked some questions, then sent me a brand new one. Very satisfied with my Framework laptop and the customer support. I can't imagine buying another laptop.

I had good experience within warranty period, but there was still some funky-ness with a non-posting board... I do sometimes wonder if it was a bios corruption - It died after running the battery 100% to zero...

That being said, I think the particular bios-chip is a design flaw that they should communicate about and fix for future boards... Probably a teething issue thing, but they should fix it. Either a usable replaceable chip so they can just send out a fix, or the fallback bios chip....

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