BIOS/GRUB on external display of FW 13 12th gen vs 13th gen

Framework Laptop 13 Linux
1

I own a FW 13 12th gen and a FW 13 13th gen, both Intel Core. Both running up-to-date Debian testing with GRUB.

Recently I upgraded both to their respective newest BIOSes: The 12th gen from BIOS 3.05 to 3.08, and the 13th gen from BIOS 3.04 to 3.05.

When switching on the 12th gen for the first time after the upgrade, I immediately noticed the Framework logo and the GRUB menu on the external display. (Attached through HDMI on the front left port, if that matters.) Which so far never has been working and which has been wished for already, for example here.

As a positive side effect, the kernel now chooses the right dimension for the text console as well: Previously, it would only “know” about the internal panel, which is larger (in terms of pixels) than the external display. Which means that on the external display the lower rows previously would not get displayed.

I thought: “Wow, one of the few BIOS upgrades that actually have a noticeable positive effect! Let’s try on the 13th gen as well.”

Well, bummer! The 13th gen still cannot display Framework Logo, BIOS, or GRUB on an external display. In an otherwise exactly the same hardware and software setup.

  1. Has that been an “intentional” change in the 12th gen BIOS? I haven’t found anything corresponding in the version descriptions.
  2. Could we have that on the FW 13th gen as well, please?

Thanks!

2

Welcome to the forum!

That change was likely an intentional change, as many people have been requesting that the BIOS be able to show up on an external monitor rather than them having to unplug the internal eDP cable inside of the laptop.

I also really hope that they can role this feature out to all the laptops including the Framework 16 as it makes accessing the BIOS a lot easier when using external monitors.

3

Yeah this would be a nice addition as it also is missing from the AMD 13" version.