Introduction
This guide takes you step by step through the process of removing an Expansion Bay Shell and installing a Graphics Module. If you have already removed the module in your Expansion Bay, you can skip to step 11.
Tools
Parts
No parts specified.
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Before beginning, make sure to shut down your Framework Laptop.
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If the system is still powered on, you will see the chassis intrusion lights flashing red and blue when the Touchpad and Input Modules are removed.
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In order to remove the Input Modules from the Framework Laptop 16, begin by opening the Input Deck Latches on each side of the Laptop.
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When the latches are open you can see the red printed on the latch.
Perhaps a dumb question, but what are the initial conditions? i.e. Should my laptop be powered off, but still plugged in, before starting this?
As far as I know, Framework recommends powering off the laptop before opening it. As far as keeping it plugged in, I would not recommend that as it may be an electrical hazard.
Soni -
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To remove the Touchpad Spacers, slide them down and then they will lift away easily.
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If there is resistance, make sure that the Input Deck Latches are open (see previous step).
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After removing the Spacers, the Touchpad module can be removed in the same way. Gently slide it downwards from both sides and then lift away as shown.
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To remove the Keyboard lift from the bottom using the pull tabs, and once lifted up the Keyboard module should lift out without resistance.
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If your pull tabs are no longer attached, you can carefully use the spudger side of the Framework Screwdriver to lift the module away.
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Remove your Input Modules or Spacers in the same way as the Keyboard, lifting from the bottom using the pull tabs as shown.
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Remember to power off the system and unplug the USB-C power cable before you open the Interposer Door.
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You can access the Interposer and change the Expansion Bay Module without removing the Mid Plate.
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Flip open the Interposer Door using the pull tab provided.
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Make sure that the door is closed again before closing the Laptop lid to avoid any risk of damage to the display.
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Loosen the 3 captive fasteners, and then use the pull tab to lift the Expansion Bay Shell Interposer out. These are captive fasteners, meaning that they will stay attached to the Interposer.
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The Interposer should lift out easily. If you feel any resistance, check that all 3 fasteners are loosened, and do not force it.
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Loosen the two captive fasteners that secure the Expansion Bay Shell.
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Note that these fasteners are captive and will remain attached to the bracket.
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With the Interposer installed, close the Interposer Door.
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With the Framework Laptop 16 closed, turn the Laptop over and gently slide the Expansion Bay Shell up from the Expansion Bay slot as shown to remove it.
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If the Expansion Bay Shell seems stuck do not force it. Make sure that the captive fasteners are correctly loosened (see previous steps).
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With the Framework Laptop 16 closed, line up the Graphics Module with the Expansion Bay slot and gently slide it into place.
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You should hear the module click into place when fully inserted.
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There should be very little resistance when installing the Graphics Module. If it is not sliding into place, do not force it. Remove the module and check that it is lined up correctly before trying again.
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Remember to power off the system and unplug the USB-C power cable before you open the Interposer Door.
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You can access the Interposer and change the Expansion Bay Module without removing the Mid Plate.
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Flip open the Interposer Door using the pull tab provided.
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Make sure that the door is closed again before closing the Laptop lid to avoid any risk of damage to the display.
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Tighten the 2 captive fasteners to secure the Graphics Module in place.
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Lower the Graphics Module Interposer into place, noting the orientation as shown.
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Tighten the 4 captive fasteners to secure the Interposer.
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Be careful not to overtighten fasteners here. This step does not require excessive force.
i struggled at first to get the back left screw to tighten. after a closer look i notice the threads have blue lock tight /thread lock.
after scrapping carefully with my fingernail and trying again it finally tightened down.
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With the Interposer installed, close the Interposer Door.
Should this read "With the Interposer removed, close the Interposer Door" instead of "With the Interposer installed..."?
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Please see our guide here on possible Input Module configurations.
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Holding from the pull tabs at the bottom of the Keyboard module, line it up with the dashed guide lines printed on the Mid Plate. Note that you can align a Keyboard so that it is either along the left edge, the right edge, or centered. With the Keyboard held at a 20 degree angle, slide it up into place.
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The notches along the top of the Keyboard will fit into the corresponding alignment guides under the Ventilation Plate.
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Lower the Keyboard gently into place, it should snap in place magnetically and sit flat.
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Ensure that the pins in the Mid Plate to the left and right of the Input Module Connector align into the corresponding holes in the Keyboard module.
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Next install, two Spacer Modules, an LED Matrix, a Numpad, an RGB Macropad, or whichever other combination of two Small or one Medium sized Input Module you have.
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Slide these in at an angle and lower into place, the same way the Keyboard was installed.
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Whichever Input modules you chose to install, you should have no empty spaces in the top row before proceeding to the next step.
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Place the Touchpad Module flat, slightly below the Keyboard as shown.
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Like the Keyboard, you can confirm it is properly aligned by lining it up to the dashed lines on the Mid Plate.
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Applying gentle downward pressure to keep the Touchpad module flat, slide it up into place.
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Remember that the Input Deck Latches should still be open at this point, otherwise the Touchpad Module won't slide on.
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The Touchpad Module can be installed either directly below the Keyboard or offset by one space to the right. For example, the Keyboard can have the Touchpad below it, or the Keyboard can be left-aligned while the Touchpad is centered.
I am experiencing a significant edge between the touchpad module and spacers. I realize the touchpad should be sitting above the keyboard, but the upper corners of the touchpad module sit sharp up above the spacers. Has anyone experienced this? Any solutions to get the plates to sit flush?
I tried removing the keyboard, and the upper corners of the touchpad module sit slightly lower, but still are not flush with the spacers.
I think so. Happens with the Touch Modules Spacers too. A bit unsatisfying, but I can live with it.
This is replying to the comment by @crippledlord. For some reason it does not let me delete it.
I tried to get "Keyboard... left-aligned while the Touchpad .. centered.” (with numpad on right) but this wouldn't work. I also didn't read the "The Touchpad Module can be installed either directly below the Keyboard..." note too clearly... I think it should have a warning similar to the fasteners. I went down a rabbit hole of troubleshooting. I used Possible Input Module combinations on Framework Laptop 16 and later My touchpad isn't working because I inadvertently triggered a device issue during my troubleshooting requiring the "disable/enable the touchpad in Device Manager" process.
@crippledlord Same here. I tried multiple times to get the touchpad module flush but it always ends up just a tad above the keyboard. Everything else is flush. Could be better but not something hinders the use.
I think the same goes to the right. I wanted the keys modules to the left and track all the way to the right. I can only get one space over.
It appears that the trackpad module can not be mounted any further left than the keyboard. i.e I wanted the keyboard all the way to the right and the num pad all the way to the left, but the track pad won't fit anywhere other than directly below the keyboard module.
Should the edge of the edge of the touchpad module stick above the keyboard slightly? It's not sharp, but is noticable.
@crippledlord I think so. Happens with the Touch Modules Spacers too. A bit unsatisfying, but I can live with it.
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Just like installing the Touchpad module, place the Touchpad Spacers flat on the Input Deck, slightly below the Keyboard or Spacers above.
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Applying gentle pressure, slide the Touch Module Spacers into place.
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With the Touchpad Module Spacers installed there should now be no empty spaces on the Input Deck.
I am experiencing a significant edge between the touchpad module and spacers. I realize the touchpad should be sitting above the keyboard, but the upper corners of the touchpad module sit sharp up above the spacers. Has anyone experienced this? Any solutions to get the plates to sit flush?
I tried removing the keyboard, and the upper corners of the touchpad module sit slightly lower, but still are not flush with the spacers.
If the spacers don't seem to fit properly, check that you've tightened the underlying Mid Plate screws enough, particularly numbers 16 and 17.
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Once all Input Modules are installed, close both Input Deck Latches to secure them in place.
don't forget to replace the expansion cards :) (Step 4)
At this point or earlier, if you have both a graphics card and expansion bay in your order you might wonder what the L shaped extra part is and where it goes. My graphics module came installed and there was an L shaped interposer left in the box (labeled FRAKHNC PA1403200JM). That part is only used if you swap out the graphics card for the expansion bay, it's not needed if your graphics module is pre-installed.
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Cancel: I did not complete this guide.
6 other people completed this guide.
2 Comments
Step 10 says "with the imposer installed." But it was removed, and a new one with 4 screwqs is installed in a later step. You need to point this out.
+1, this was also confusing for me, but I figured it out.
btw even with that confusion, Time Required was 8-10 minutes.
