I wanted to replace a bent touchpad cable of my Framework 13. My laptop didn’t turn off properly before I opened it, and I think that led to a problem. The first time i didn’t connect the touchpad cable good enough but the laptop turned on when I connected the cable. I then sticked it in properly but when I tried it out, the touchpad still didn’t work. When I opened everything again this time, there was a small melted spot on the touchpad connector that is on the touchpad itself. Now neither the touchpad nor the keyboard are working anymore. I’m wondering if i can just replace the touchpad and resolve the issue, or do I need to get a new input cover? I’m a complete layperson but I feel like the touchpad cable does a lot more than just connecting the touchpad, so now I’m unsure if I created a bigger problem and should just get a new input cover or if the keyboard will work again too as soon as I replace the touchpad. I’m super scared to open it again, also because I feel like my laptop keeps turning on and off whenever I connect or disconnect the touchpad cable and I don’t want to create bigger damage. What do i do?
Oh, that’s not fun. Sorry that happened.
First, I would suggest not using the input cover until you replace parts. You can contact support here: knowledgebase.frame.work/contact/contact-us-rJfw7Ryglx
If you need to try to use the laptop, there is a BIOS option call “Power on AC attach” if I recall correctly. It will boot up your laptop if it’s turned off when you plug in the charger. This would let you more easily start it without the input cover connected.
Hard to be certain what’s damaged. I’d guess the keyboard is probably fine. The input cover cable should be replaced and of course the touchpad, since that’s where visible damage is.
That cable carries the power button signal, usb for the fingerprint reader, it’s LED lights, the touchpad signals, and the keyboard lines. With the exception of touchpad stuff, the signals are just being gathered together into a single cable and passed through, to make the connection of the input cover easier.
github.com/FrameworkComputer/Framework-Laptop-13/tree/main/Touchpad#mainboard-connector
It looks like your melted spot is about from pins 47 to 42. That encompasses the power switch, fingerprint reader lines, and red LED light.
The instructions for replacing many parts in most laptops say “important: first disconnect the battery and the charger”.
Now, I understand that the battery connector in a Framework Laptop 13 is fragile, but maybe it’s time Framework added a note/reminder to the hardware replacement guides that explains that it’s probably a good idea to use the “Disconnect Battery” feature in the BIOS immediately before starting work.
I have had what I think was probably a near miss with the same connector, I think I saw sparks when trying to reinsert it! But luckily, mine is still working.