Hello, I just finished assembling my Framework DIY and everything went smoothly, but after installing the latest version of Linux Mint 20.3, I can’t seem to get WiFi to work, and the touchpad will not scroll (but the mouse pointer works). I also get a message telling me that something is wrong with my video driver, and my external display will not work. So, it seems like I need a bunch of drivers, which confuses me because Framework’s Mint Installation Guide clearly states that only the microphone does not work “out of the box.” I should also add that Mint’s Driver Manager scanned the Linux installation disk and reported “Your computer does not need any additional drivers.” But shouldn’t Driver Manager at least show me a list of drivers I do have installed?? Have I missed something? I’ve attached a system report screenshot if anyone can help me out. The Network line looks a little suspicious, I am trying to figure out if I received a faulty WiFi card? Or do I just need a bunch of drivers for some reason?
I downloaded the Mint 20.3 distro via torrent using the link on Mint’s website, it’s just vanilla 20.3. Checksum matched after download. Followed the installation directions to the T. I don’t think the distro pulled any updates because the machine has never been connected to the Internet (I am probably misunderstanding your comment, sorry).
Yeah, multitouch scroll. It’s strange because the mouse pointer works and moves fine (albeit a little wonky), but I cannot scroll in GUI windows- I have to manually pull the corners and expand with the mouse pointer. I have checked the Touchpad settings, it is enabled; I’ve tried checking and unchecking “reverse scrolling”- makes no difference.
Would choosing FDE (full disk encryption) during installation affect the driver packages or break the Framework’s compatibility with Mint? Just an idea… I always use FileVault on Macintosh so thought naturally I would use the FDE option, but maybe that’s my issue. Stabbing at things in the dark right now…
Are you using this?
https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Mint+20.3+Installation+on+the+Framework+Laptop/110?lang=en
You did download the “edge” ISO?
Hmm, on the main Downloads page of the Mint website, the only 3 options are 20.3 Cinnamon “Una” (what I downloaded); MATE; and Xfce. I don’t see anything about Edge anywhere yet…
Alright, thanks everyone, I feel stupid- pretty safe bet this is my issue. To be honest, I only discovered Framework’s Mint guide after I had already installed it. I missed the Edge part. I assumed I could just download whatever missing drivers I needed just using Mint’s installation instructions.
Out of curiosity, does anybody know the main differences between Cinnamon and Cinnamon (Edge)?
EDIT: I just pieced the differences together myself from Mint’s website. The Edge version is for more-recent devices to ensure compatibility. I don’t understand, however, why these extras can’t just come with the normal Cinnamon release- seems bizarre.
Also, if someone could recommend the best way to proceed, as a Linux n00b. Can I just install over the non-Edge partition, or should I format the drive and install clean? I’m in a little over my head…
Don’t be! 
It’s better to ask the question than get frustrated with what has turned out to be a very stable OS on a Framework laptop. At least for me.
As far as I know, just the kernel. Which is a really big thing though, as you saw. 5.4 is very old in terms of kernels and just doesn’t support newer hardware.
The installer should detect that there’s already a Linux Mint partition there and warn you. Select “erase disk and install Linux Mint”. It’ll probably warn you again.
Thanks so much! One last question while I have you here- if I know I need to eventually install a Windows 10 partition, is this something I have to setup during the Mint installation, or can I just partition after Mint is installed by creating a partition from free disk space? I am guessing that if I use FDE that would complicate any post-installation partition, and I would be saving myself a headache by partitioning during Edge installation? Cheers!
It might be good to put Mint on (say) a 100 GB partition.
However you’d need to use the installation routine’s advanced partitioner (select “something else” when installing) and that’s a little advanced. You need to ensure you have an EFI partition, swap, and root partition. EFI and swap are their own thing, once you select this you just have to determine their size. EFI is usually 512 MB and is always at the start of the drive, swap can be equal to the size of your RAM or twice the size of your RAM or other recommendations.
The root partition probably should be formatted ext4 but there are other options.
So as you see it’s complicated.
Linux is usually designed to be installed alongside Windows, not the other way around. It will happily install itself alongside Windows, whereas Windows will usually write over the bootloader and render the Linux partition unbootable. There are ways to fix this and at least it doesn’t erase your Linux install, but expect this to happen.
If you have Windows, install that first. It’s much easier to install Linux later.
I’ll let my team know. Thank you for the feedback 