Having never seen the inside of a computer before I opened up my new Framework 12, I believe I have done something quite foolish. While following the instructions on inserting the Storage module I noted that none of the pictures showed the block of orange underneath and that it was not mentioned in the instructions. I incorrectly inferred that the block must be a placeholder and proceeded to remove it. Some investigation has led me to believe that the orange block was actually a thermal pad, which probably explains why I have not been able to turn my computer on.
I could use some advice. Framework’s marketplace does not appear to sell the little orange thermal pads and when I search for Honeywell PTM 7958 thermal pads I am getting results exclusively for PTM 7950, which is apparently an earlier model, so not sure if those would work as well. I am also leery of using a paste as opposed to a pad, which seems like it would be more technically challenging to apply. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Light mocking of my screw up is also acceptable.
Yeah, I wouldn’t use PTM for under the SSD. Normally that is some kind of silicone thermal pad, or something along those lines. There are tons of options online. You just have to approximate what thickness you need and then get a pad sized for an SSD, or just get something larger and cut it to size.
However, the thermal pad should not be a requirement for the computer to boot. It may help the SSD run a bit cooler, but the computer should still boot and function without the SSD thermal pad.
I’d maybe recommend just contacting support stating what you did and see if they’d be willing to send you another thermal pad. And if they say that they can’t, then ask what the dimensions are for it: mainly the thickness (or the height value of ‘length x width x height’) is the most important part.
And same with what BigT stated: If you have the dimensions, then you can take that info and search on amazon (or whatever place you’d want to get parts from) and buy a thermal pad; searching for ‘thermal pad ssd’ should net you plenty of options that should work fine so long the thickness is correct. You don’t need any special or high quality material; any silicone works fine. And even if you can’t find the correct length or width, so long you have the correct thickness, you can buy a larger one online and cut it to the size you need it.*
*Edit: Length and Width should almost match the ssd dimensions. so even if you can’t find one for the 2230 m.2 size, getting the normal 2280 and cutting it is fine too (again make sure the thickness/height is correct).
I will go back to checking other systems to figure out why it will not boot.