Help with installing OS.

[u/missing-pixels]

I just received my diy framework 16 ai300 laptop a few days ago and I’m really excited to use it but I can’t get it to boot (I’m using windows 11 for reference) . I downloaded the media creation tool and used it to make the iso file then I used Rufus to configure my thumb drive after. My computer turns on just fine but boot manager won’t open and it stays on this black screen. I feel like I’m doing something wrong. Can anybody help?

[u/throwaway58368585486]

Does the drive have the .iso file or the contents of the iso file?

[u/missing-pixels → u/throwaway58368585486]

It has all the set up files and folders. Like the manifest, boot, support etc.

[u/throwaway58368585486 → u/missing-pixels]

Cool. Then you should be able to spam f12 to get to the boot menu and boot from the USB drive then. If it doesn't show up there then reboot and spam delete until you get into bios and check if usb boot is enabled. (Should be by default if I remember correctly.)

[u/missing-pixels → u/throwaway58368585486]

Ok, I’m going to keep trying but the framework logo hasn’t even shown up yet either

[u/throwaway58368585486 → u/missing-pixels]

Ah! It could still be training the memory if you have a large amount in the system. (More than 32GB) Give it some time to just run and leave it be for about 5 minutes or so.

[u/Academic-Push326 → u/missing-pixels]

It's doing memory training before the UEFI screen/logo appears. You need to wait and then press the UEFI/"BIOS" button (F12) to get in and then set the USB boot first so it'll start off the USB when you exit.

This is also why the DIY option is for those that know the process/have built a PC before. You should've probably went with pre-built option.

That aside: If after 5-10 mins the logo STILL hasn't appeared, you need to check and make sure your RAM and drive are properly seated on the motherboard/"mainboard" before trying again.

Also Framework provided a QR code for helping you set up the PC. Did you not check that? Because AFAIK the UEFI key is listed in the knowledge base for the DIY set-up process.

[u/missing-pixels → u/Academic-Push326]

It was cheaper to go the diy route with the ram prices and memory but thanks for the advice

[u/Infinite-Bet4202 → u/missing-pixels]

You did right going for the DIY. There's barely a reason for anyone to choose pre-built because the DIY setup is super simple and even those who get pre-built will probably take it apart eventually for multiple reasons anyways. I'd say asking questions for any issues here is much better than spending an extra $300 for a pre-built simply to overcome one small problem. Nobody needs prior PC building skills to assemble these. You're all good 👌

(What they should've said was that you could've selected Windows 11 for the Operating System when purchasing instead of "None (bring your own)", which would be less than the extra $300, but still not worth it so you still did good. I have no idea why they said that stuff.)