A while ago, I got a Framework 12, 13th gen Intel, which had a fresh PikaOS install on it. Since then, I’ve been able to reinstall and reconfigure PikaOS just fine. However, my plan now is to dual boot Windows 11, as there’s some software that I need to run on Windows. (Yes - I’m aware there’s plenty of workarounds, but the fact I can’t install Windows 11 is still midly concerning.) Through several attempts, I’ve tried to install Windows, to different hurdles and no end in sight.
I have rearranged USB expansion cards, reset and changed BIOS settings, including secure boot on/off, reformatted my installation media, and more. Currently, I have a wiped SSD that’s GPT formatted with no partitions.
There are two main issues I’m encountering:
Most often, the installation refuses to load and hangs on the “Framework” screen that’s shown on boot. Sometimes, however, it will boot into the installation media, but after I select the options and get to the “Installing Windows 11” screen, it always fails at 10% installed (always starts at 5% installed, too) with a simple message in a pop-up window that tells me “Windows 11 installation has failed”. Nothing else.
Any help, even if it’s just a way to show installation logs, would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry to hear that Windows 11 is not installing on the Framework Laptop 12. Was the Windows installation guide followed on Framework’s support page for the Laptop 12? I do not have one of those machines to give first hand knowledge of what to expect though others are definitely using Windows 11 along with Linux on the Laptop 12.
Is a newer USB with the latest Windows Media Creation tool being used (latest version)? Someone had an issue with a specific brand of USB (do not remember who’s brand) and they found another older USB 2.0 drive, created the media, and Windows finally installed correctly.
Contact support if not done so already and start a case so they can help you through it. They may know what is going on right away. It is possible that maybe a main board reset is needed (do not know why) so it can initialize and install correctly.
Is the latest BIOS installed on the device. Let us know how it goes. Posts like these help others with similar situations.
Hey @pkunk, thanks for the speedy reply. I did follow the framework installation guide, it failed before I got very far into the process. I did re-create the USB media with a newly downloaded creation tool from Microsoft to no avail. Using an .iso file with BalenaEtcher didn’t help either.
I’ll contact support as well, but the only issue is that as I got the laptop second hand, I don’t have a purchase number.
I haven’t got the latest BIOS version. I’ll install that using a live image of PikaOS, then get back to you with an update.
The latest BIOS can be downloaded from Framework and can be installed in UEFI mode from a USB rather than doing it through an OS. This is my preferred method as it ensures nothing else is going on while the BIOS is updating!
I believe the serial number is in the BIOS of the machine. When starting hitting F2 should get into the BIOS after the POST. The serial number should be at the top if I remember right.
Nevermind, I was wrong, the BIOS lists InSyde H2O version as 20.03.09. I’m pretty sure that’s the latest as the EFI BIOS usb stick told me that 3.09 was already installed, and the latter part of the version matches.
Ahh good to hear that is the latest bios. Hopefully support gets back to you soon. They have had a ton of traffic with the Pro machines going out lately.
Fixed! Used Rufus to create the installation media from an .iso, and enabled the option to bypass Secure boot, TPM and 4.0GB+ RAM checks.
Not sure why that fixed it, as I have TPM 2.0, 8GB of RAM and as far as I’m aware, secure boot doesn’t need to be enabled for it to install. (Just needs to be capable of it).
Anyway, I’m not complaining. Thanks for your help @pkunk!