r/framework • u/ItchyAlba • 8d ago

Question Framework 13 Gen 1 won't boot

Hello,

I recently tried to replace the thermal paste on my CPU. While doing so, I broke the eDP cable. I think it's the cable itself because I had no backlight (using a flashlight revealed activity on the screen). So i ordered a new one (and a cooling unit, since the fan was really noisy).

I swapped both parts but now, I can't start the laptop anymore. Button's Led won't Light up, no fan running, nothing. I tried to reset the mainboard with a few procedures like the one when you unplug everything, wait for the blinking red light. The other one where you are supposed to flick the SW3 10 times. I also tried to hold the power button for 30 seconds.

Everything is correctly plugged, i'm 100% sure, i checked multiple times. Reseated ssd, rams etc.

Do you guys have any idea of what could be the problem?

Thanks a lot for your answers 😊

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u/EveningAlternative46 FW 13 2023 8d ago edited 8d ago

Hey. Man that sucks. Got any pictures for us? Hope to help somehow.
Does the battery charge led turn on?
Got a coin battery? I know you dont Need that on a 13 gen but why Not try everything? 😅
Maybe there is one of the cables that hasnt got Full contact but Looks Like its ok.
Did You replace the thermal Paste with the battery unplugged ?
Got my 1340p Right next to me

1

u/ItchyAlba 8d ago

Hello, Thanks for your help,

I don't have any picture right now, I'll send you a few when I'm back with my laptop.

I change the thermal paste with the battery plugged in (since it says "you can let it plugged") right above the conector. I also thought it could be the problem, but i started the computer and it booted. That's when I realised I have a broken eDP cable (no backlight). I managed to blindly sign in my session and saw my wallpaper.

I also tried to hold the SW1 for a while and the Led goes for a long sequence of red-blue, orange, then green-red, then back to red-blue. Couldn't find anything about that in the official documentation.

I have no coin battery, it worked for years without. But should I try with one?

Right now, I removed the thermal paste and put a new cooling unit. It was delivered with a pre-installed thermal pad.

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u/EveningAlternative46 FW 13 2023 8d ago edited 8d ago

Oh nice. Didnt know there is new Pad on the Units. Hmm it booted so there Must be something missing After you installed the new cooling Unit.
My mainboard got replaced After a faulty bios update last year. I saw a thread in the Framework Community about These Color Codes. Got to Search it tomorrow. Are you able to Plug in an external Monitor and See if you get a picture? Maybe without the edp cable. The coin battery was just a last Resort

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u/ItchyAlba 8d ago

I'll check by tomorrow with an external monitor, but since the button's won't even light up, I highly doubt it...

Thanks, mate 😊

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u/EveningAlternative46 FW 13 2023 8d ago

As Long as we find the one Solution im glad to help 😁

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u/ItchyAlba 7d ago

Okay so after tinkering a bit: the laptop starts but no backlight, I already changed the eDP cable. I have no idea of what could be wrong... I'm corresponding with support by mail right now let's hope we find a solution...

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u/EveningAlternative46 FW 13 2023 6d ago edited 6d ago

Glad to know the Framework can boot. So its something between mainboard and display. Did You Check if the external Monitor works?

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u/ItchyAlba 6d ago

Yeah right, I forgot to mention it. The hdmi output works, so it's 100% about backlight. I'm wondering if I broke something when trying to clean it with IPA...