Still no Linux option for the BIOS
Weâre managing a number of things in addition to this with a small team, yes it is coming, do not have an ETA at this time.
The delay is getting very discouraging.
There are more details in the 12th gen Beta BIOS thread regarding why the delay. Iâm optimistic that everything will be sorted by the end of calendar year. Iâve been quite impatient as well but now that Iâve seen that things are fundamentally changing how this BIOS business is handled, I feel better about the process.
Priority right now is to get BIOS 3.03 out for Framework AMD boards as there are literally many issues that can be solved by a BIOS update. You might not have a way currently to update to 3.19 through lvfs but at least you do have BIOS update.
@TheTRUEAsian
No I do not. I do not run any version of Windows. If there was a DOS version of the executable MAYBE running a FreeDOS would be a way for me to do it, but NOT with Windows only.
Again, my point is if you need the 3.19 BIOS update now, you can do so through Windows. Some people have updated their BIOS through Linux unofficially and if you want to do that, you can take a look at that. On the other hand, the Linux experience on the AMD is broken on 3.02 and 3.03 is needed ASAP to fix that.
While that is technically correct, customers shouldnât have to buy a new OS in order to install their BIOS updates, when theyâre already running an OS thatâs (supposedly) officially supported by the hardware manufacturer.
Donât need to buy Windows to use it. Could always just run it unactivated off something just to get BIOS updates. I believe Framework has mentioned in the past that their partners use Windows-based tools for BIOS updates and thatâs why it takes a while to port them over.
I agree but itâs just comes down to the fact that Framework is a small company that hasnât had enough dedicated staffing in place for BIOS updates. Things are changing based on their announcement in the 12th gen BIOS thread but itâll take a while.
Or donât. I know a hacky workaround exists that allows you to run .exe files through powershell in the Setup for Windows. So you wouldnât even necessarily have to install Windows either. Itâs still annoying and a native Linux solution would be better but itâs not like solutions donât exist currently.
Ok, Iâll make a stronger statement, then: customers shouldnât have to install a new OS just to update their BIOS when they already have another OS installed thatâs supported by the manufacturer.
I understand the âwhyâ, I just find it unacceptable. If youâre going to say you support multiple OSes, then support them equally. Otherwise donât say you support more than just Windows.
I will certainly not be foolish enough to do something as critical as a BIOS update via a âhacky workaroundâ.
And if I did, and it bricked my laptop, I would fully expect Framework Support to justifiably laugh at me when I ask for help.
Youâre free to make that decision and no one would fault you for that. However, from a bigger perspective, Windowâs marketshare dwarfs that of Linux so a lot of companies will develop tools for Windows. Framework has to use the tools provided to them by their partners full stop. Theyâre not at the size where they have in-house tools to provide BIOS updates which is something you would expect of large brands. Theyâve done the best that they can by working to ensure their hardware works across several Linux distros and providing support to users if they have issues. Theyâve also now have contracts for people to make BIOS updates so things should improve. I would say that goes a long way in terms of support.
While you are right in principle, and I did the windows dance to get the newest bios myself, I believe to have seen numbers here in the forum that indicate Linux may be close to parity on frame.work . At least as far as people posting on forums goes This would take all the wind out of your argument, were it true, no?
No it wouldnât. Iâm talking about Linux as a whole. Some stats estimate Windows to have a market share of around 60-70% while Linux has a market share of about 3% for desktop use. Desktop Operating System Market Share Worldwide | Statcounter Global Stats
Someone also mentioned why doesnât Framework not advertise having Linux support and I would say if theyâre not going to advertise it, why bother hiring Linux support staff? And why even bother testing your hardware for Linux compatibility? Then youâll have people on this forum complaining about having Linux issues with no one but the community only being able to help them out. A lot of software issues I see on this forum are Linux ones because thereâs a wide range of distros and versions that people use.
Donât like nuanced discussion? Fine. Peace out
Itâs important to remember that Framework doesnât have full control of the situation. As many have stated before, Framework is relying on upstream companies for their BIOS code. Previously, those upstream companies have only given Framework update tools for Windows, which is why Framework is able to quickly get those update packages out right away. They then had to adapt those tools themselves to make them work for Linux users. Iâd say thatâs a lot of dedication to their Linux users, and an understanding by Framework that their Linux community matters.
This time is slightly different. Because of the last minute problems theyâve been having with AMD Firmware, and the ongoing issues with updates to the 12th gen laptops, they have been scrambling to get all these different projects finished, and have been doing their best to prioritize all these things properly. They were able to get the Windows tools out with minimal effort as a stop-gap for the 11th gen users who NEED these BIOS updates now, but they now need to focus on other things for a bit. They are still committed to getting the Linux tools out, they just canât take all the time they would need right now.
The final part of this to be aware of, is that Framework has already announced that they have worked with their upstream BIOS company to get more of that companies resources working with Framework. While all these issues are happening now, they do have future plans to (hopefully) avoid another situation like this in the future. Itâs going to be rough right now, but Framework has not forgotten about anyone, and they are working towards improving this process in the future, but lets not forget all the hard work and dedication theyâve had in the past, and give them the benefit of the doubt for now.
I was really disappointed when I found out about the 12th gen BIOS delays. A lot of people are having issues with hardware that has been out for a year, and isnât even sold new anymore. It seems like a bad situation spiraled out of control, and itâs being compounded by the fact that they are having unexpected issues with their new product launch, but it can be really hard to expect issues like this before they happen, and the good news is that now that it has happened, Framework are already working on solutions to make sure it doesnât happen again, instead of sweeping it under the rug and ignoring the underlying causes.
@Azure Which is exactly why I have suspended my current unhappiness pending the results of these new processes. Iâm giving Framework 6 months to put these processes in place and fix these issues or at least provide me an update how the new processes are going. This mess was entirely preventable, given that what it sounds like there was no dedicated team previously. Having said that, the important thing is that the underlying root cause has been identified and presumably solved. Lambasting Framework accomplishes nothing and does nothing to help me, so itâs worthless to continue down that path. So while Iâm sympathetic to those unhappy with the current situation, I for one will cease my complaints for the near future pending results/future updates.
What issues are there BIOS wise for 11th Gen?
All the issues Iâve noticedâŚmainly total lock up when the BIOS battery runs out are now fixed. If it wont fire up on battery, I just plug the power in and it boots up right away. Big improvement.
It all works fine now it seems. I must add Iâm a 100% Windows user.
I would not be that upset if Framework stopped BIOS updates for 11th gen at this point.
If I understand correctly, the main one is that the new BIOS can recognize the 61Wh battery. At this point most 55Wh batteries in circulation are still in good state, but the battery is the most âconsumableâ component and most likely one to need replacement in a year or two. Chances are, the 61Wh is the only one available by then. It would be nice to be able to use those extra 6Wh once youâve bought them.