It’s not common on laptops (in fact, I haven’t seen a laptop use a toolless SSD mounting method). I have previously suggested that the team could explore this for future revisions though.
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Same, however I have also not seen many laptops actively endorsing for the user to install the ssd themselves.
The rubber plunger mount (that is used on a bunch of external ssd cases) would probably already work with the current mainboards if you could remove the insert. or hell just a simple plastic clip.
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The rubber plunger would work but isn’t that great (have a ssd enclosure that uses one) but I have suggested the rotating clip one.
I don’t overly like those XD.
But probably anything would help.
Is this the screw for the long or short nvme card slot?
Mine has not broken, but I wish to know which one if I ever need to remove my nvme card.
Also, what size is the screw? Maybe using a philips/PH0 head screw would be stronger?
I think this is the solution here!
Just use these dimensions and put a PH0 on there. This would use less area and therefore provide more area for the head to thread connection.
Do we know the dimensions? Or can framework submit the dimensions? Mine is not broken but if I knew the dimensions, I would replace it for the phillips one.
Well, according to the PDF diagram of the mainboard.
The SSD screw standoff is:
16 SSD Standoff ES00000O100 STANDOFF 1.4H 5.0D 0.8H 1.0D M1.4 A
So, it looks like one needs a M1.4 screw.
The D is diameter, so I think the screw hole is 1.0D, and the outside diameter of the standoff is is 5.0D.
I don’t know how long the screw thread can be, or how thick the screw head can be.
I think the maximum clearance for the head is 1.2mm, so the 0.8H figure is probably for the screw head.
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This just happened to my FW 16. Not a great first impression 
Sorry to hear that I see that you have already contacted our support team, they should help you out with the replacement.
FW opted for replacing the whole mainboard.
I have received and installed it according to the replacement guide.
I now have a running system.
A lot of trouble for a little screw.
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Thanks for taking the time to let us know. I’m pleased that you’re up and running.
Dino
I came on here a few weeks ago because we had the same problem and I was very nervous if Framework would make good on this issue. I was nervous because this was my first experience with this company and not sure what to expect. They sent a new main board and we got it installed and all is good now. I can now say I am definitely a Framework fan! They make good and stand behind their products. I will recommend them to anyone that is looking for a new laptop. Of course I do hope they can figure out a way to make the screws better so others don’t continue to have this issue, but at least I know now they will make sure to make it right to those that do. Thank you Framework support team.
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Just did this when installing the AI 300 mainboard upgrade. Looks like frame.work will get to replace another one!
Update: I’m using some electrical tape to hold the ssd in place while I try to find my jewelry bits to drill it out.
I have this issue as well. Unfortunately this happened on a replacement mainboard and it’s out of warranty since I guess FW will only provide a 90 day warranty on replacement parts, which is absolutely wild to me. So I’m one of the few that seems to be fully SOL with the helpful suggestion to purchase a new $850 mainboard.
The fact that these are in no way removable on a product that is supposed to be sustainable is also very confusing to me. Not everything needs to be, but something that’s just structural should be able to be unscrewed/unbolted/detached in some way. Just junk another mainboard and put total cost of ownership well past $3.5k for a very okay-performing laptop with the purchase? For a poor quality screw?
This is the straw for me, unfortunately. I’ve never had a satisfactory interaction with support - there’s always arguments and back and forth on pics and videos even when they’re not necessary for the question I’m asking. So I guess I’ll sell this thing for whatever I can get and spend whatever I can get plus the $850 + shipping I would have to spend on a new mainboard anyway at the local MicroCenter on a laptop that’s more portable and far quieter (even with 2nd gen fans and dGPU housing).
Yeah, I know, this isn’t an airport so I don’t need to announce my departure, but I’m just so tired of faffing about with this thing and needed to vent, I guess. Mainboard replacement due to thermals, keyboard replacement when a couple of keys just stopped working, broken m.2 screw, unbearable noise, constant BIOS issues with throttling, arguing with support every time…it’s too much for me.
When did you buy your laptop (or mainboard)? Did your original warranty expire?
I thought I read in Framework’s warranty that they provide either, the remaining of your original warranty, or 90 days, whichever is longer.
I’m an OG Batch 7 owner and had the mainboard replaced in December of 24. I was dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment (fine now after surgery, thankfully) and didn’t have it in me to deal with support again at the time as my experiences have not been favorable. I thought I had more time, but I was wrong. That part is on me for not reading the fine print and assuming, but I haven’t dealt with too many companies that only warranty their replacement parts for 90 days.
If it is just the screw that is the issue, why not try a local repair shop. They probably have the tools and equipment to get stripped screws out as it is somewhat common in electronic assemblies.
Even if the screw head has to be drilled off and the screw is stuck in the hole some quality tape will hold it in place just fine and the rest of the assembly will hold it in place. As long as the laptop is not handed off to someone who is pretending to be a running back in a football game trying to get the last few yards for a 1st down, it will probably hold up just fine.
If it is just the screw that is the issue, why not try a local repair shop.
It’s something I’ve been considering, but that’s time I don’t have right now since this is my primary machine.
As long as the laptop is not handed off to someone who is pretending to be a running back in a football game trying to get the last few yards for a 1st down, it will probably hold up just fine.
Unfortunately this is not the case. I’ve attempted quality Kapton and electrical tape, and the drive occasionally still seems to jar loose when just moving it across the house.
I’ve found that the quality of adhesive on even simple clear packing tape can vary by a huge amount. I recently came across a roll that has some crazy adhesion for lowly packing tape.
Anyways, how much might you be willing to spend on potential solutions? I’d try a pair of quality needle nose locking pliers. Your SSD has no components on the board nearby, so there is some room to lock pliers on & turn. Another option is “screw extractor” pliers. These are not locking though. Vampliers is the brand name, but other brands make screw extractor pliers too.
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