The prebuilt model would have worked until I wanted to upgrade the mainboard (or the WiFi module, I suppose) and then I’d have run into this.
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This is not new, not unique to Framework, and pretty much the standard in every laptop I’ve ever seen. In fact, here:
I sympathize with your problem, but if you think a different - less repairable - laptop is going to be any better, I’ve got news for you.
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You can’t attach this plastic shield in place, and the screw is integrated into the plastic shield so you can’t screw the module down without the shield on it. Honestly, it’s like a level 10 dexterity puzzle. The people assembling these in the factory have my respect.
It is indeed a very, very small things, but it’s a very, very, very frustrating thing, and it’s very sad, because my first-time out-of-box Framework experience has been initial disappointment that it didn’t work, followed by murderous rage because of this WiFi module.
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I sympathize with your problem, but if you think a different - less repairable - laptop is going to be any better, I’ve got news for you.
It will be better in that (a) it will probably work out of the box and (b) I will never have to touch the WiFi module.
Framework are attempting something different here, and if the industry has standardized upon WiFi modules with these horrible connectors then they (Framework) might want to look into making these parts easier to replace for people with bad eyes and fat fingers. Right now I don’t believe this part is user serviceable.
Oh, and regarding the actual initial RAM problem, the fact that it stops the display from working is very, very bad. Nothing is worse than turning on a laptop and the display not turning on.
That is the RAM’s fault though, or at the very least AMD’s. Just making sure you know that. There are reasons why usable RAM is very specific even though in theory many more brands will work, etc.
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Well, there’s no way to initialize the display before RAM initialization, afaik, so I don’t think you could provide a much better indicator than a status led on a laptop
But my experience with other AMD systems is that their RAM initialization is especially slow and unreliable
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Display output before memory training was never a thing, that memory training takes so long these days is definitely a bit of a problem though.
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You’re right about that. And the trend - especially for smaller laptops - is to solder the WiFi onto the motherboard. Screw up that connection, and you have to replace the whole thing…
If Framework and the community could come up with a reasonable solution and make it an industry standard, well, that would be worth quite a bit IMO.
There are reasons why usable RAM is very specific even though in theory many more brands will work, etc.
If a mainboard and a CPU say they support DDR5-5600 SODIMMs, then any modules that implement the DDR5 spec and meet the 5600 requirement should be usable. That’s the whole point of having standards. I don’t know whose fault it is, maybe AMD, maybe Crucial, maybe even JEDEC, but it’s not acceptable.
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And to enable that there is memory training where it figures out how to use the mystery ram and that takes quite long, especially with fast speeds and big capacities.
This might actually get better once camm is used. SODIMMs are just pretty much at the edge of what is possible using the form factor.
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Unfortunately, U.FL wifi card connectors are standard. It’s just something one has to deal with on laptops.
Framework actually didn’t have the plastic shield initially. But too many people were having the connectors tear off the board. Factors align to just make those connectors prone to it. They are tiny, are entirely surface mounted, and the relatively stiff cables always connect at a right angle. This creates leverage forces. Combine with tiny and surface mounted, and it’s amazing they don’t rip off more often. Having the plastic shield on before is to reduce that risk.
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Welcome to the wonderful world of reality and AMD. Once again if you can get pass the things that have bummed you out here, I’m sure Framework support can get you sorted and your FW 16 soaring.
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Not sure where you have been, but these small antenna connectors have been standard inside laptops for many years. Yes they are annoying, but they are one of the things that allow you to upgrade/install any wifi adapter you want as it’s already standardized. To see you returning an entire laptop because of those makes me wonder.
To your points, 2 wont work because different wifi modules have the connections in different locations. 3 wont work because that’s counter to the point of an upgradeable laptop.
To be honest, I think you are better off with a pre-built laptop or at the lease, should have bought the non-diy one.
Personally, when I get old and to the point I can’t see small things, I have kids to cover that situation 
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I do think so !
I have a FW13 AMD with a Ryzen 7840U and 64Go of ram from Kingston Fury Kit. I won’t say the memory training is instant but it is somewhere around 30sec to 1mn at max.
But yes … If you don’t know the behavior, it can be freaking to have a black monitor…
Yes they are annoying, but they are one of the things that allow you to upgrade/install any wifi adapter you want as it’s already standardized.
Except they don’t allow you to do that, because they’re ridiculously difficult to work with and very easy to damage, and in this particular case Framework have made a bad situation worse with this little plastic shield that makes the whole thing even harder to work with.
To see you returning an entire laptop because of those makes me wonder.
I’m returning the entire laptop because it doesn’t work. And yes, I am better off with a pre-built laptop; that’s why I’m returning this one. The prebuilt Framework would just have delayed this problem until I wanted to upgrade the mainboard, so I’m honestly kinda glad I discovered it early.
A lot of people pointing out that these WiFi module connectors are standard. Some points:
- It’s a terrible standard.
- The plastic shield makes an already terrible standard just a little bit worse.
- Seriously, it’s terrible and we need a new standard.
- It doesn’t change the fact that I can’t put this laptop back together again, now or ever.
- You just wait until you need to detach and reattach those connectors at some point.
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I still don’t understand this. Yes, the standard is not great, but for Framework to create a different solution would have cost a lot of R&D time and money that Framework likely doesn’t have and would have made it less repairable and less upgradeable.
I have dealt with these connectors many times in many different laptops and other devices without issue, it sometimes takes a few tries to get it connected right, but just being careful with it, I don’t have much problems.
The part of this that I understand the least is the idea that a prebuilt framework laptop doesn’t solve the problem making you go to a traditional laptop maker, mostly because a prebuilt framework laptop is no different from a laptop from a traditional laptop maker, except that you get optional benefits, you don’t have to upgrade the laptop, that is purely optional.
Also of note, you can very cheaply and easily get much stronger magnification than typical reading glasses if you need that, for small electronics work I have some glasses with interchangeable lenses up to like 20x magnification, paid less than $20 on amazon for that.
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The whole purpose of buying the framework is that it is “the last laptop you will ever need” even when buying the prebuilt. That is why it cost significantly more.
With a traditional laptop maker the laptop is a disposable item that, very often, is not upgradable or repairable. The concept is you use it until it breaks or you need something more powerful and then you replace it. Doing this with a framework not only does not make monetary sense, but goes against the whole idea of the framework concept.
Just because you can deal with the small connectors does not mean that everyone has the eyesight and dexterity to do so.
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The approach i always take with other laptops (had to do it dozens if not hundreds of time) is to insert the card, push it down into the board in the screw’s stead and then, attach the wires. You can use a plastic spudger to position the wires in the small rubber routing channels if they are present. Then, carefully place the plastic piece with the screw. If necessary, hold the card down with a spudger or your finger until you tighten the screw.
Not easy the first few times but you quickly get the hang of things.
But basically, putting the wires and then inserting the card doesn’t really work, at least not for me. And that’s on laptops of other brands.
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