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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This cable is labeled with the Number 1 to indicate that it should be disconnected before loosening the Mid Plate Fasteners.
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It is important to disconnect this cable before removing the Mid Plate as leaving it attached could damage the cable.
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Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver unscrew the 16 captive fasteners attaching the Mid Plate to the Bottom Cover. These are numbered from 2-17 (since the Mid Plate Cable is number 1)
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These fasteners are captive, meaning they will remain attached to the Mid Plate when fully loosened.
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Do not use powered tools for this step as this risks damage to the fasteners, as with all fasteners in the Framework Laptop 16 these can be easily loosened using the included Framework Screwdriver
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Carefully lift the Mid Plate away from the Bottom Cover and set it aside.
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If the Mid Plate seems stuck, check the fasteners are all loosened, there should be little resistance.
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Place the Mid Plate onto the system, aligning the holes in the Mid Plate with the two guide posts.
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These posts are on the left side and the right side, immediately above the speakers on both sides.
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Take extra time to make sure it's sitting level/ flush.
Note there is a thermal pad for the SSD on the bottom of the mid-plate. Mine had a blue plastic film still in place that needed to be removed before re-installing the mid-plate.
Same for me, had to remove the blue plastic from the bottom of the midplate as well as below the secondary ssd
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Using the pull tab, gently press the Mid Plate connector down to connect it to the Mainboard.
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Carefully align, then firmly press in the mid plate connector cable.
It's tricky to tell if I've done this correctly. It seems to be firmly in place however, even though there's a plastic bit (not the tab) that still rocks around.
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Using the T5 bit in the Framework Screwdriver tighten the Mid Plate fasteners.
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Before gently tightening the screws, double check that the mid plate is aligned correctly as shown in previous step.
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These fasteners are labelled 2-17 (since the Mid Plate cable is number 1) and should be tightened in order, starting with 2 and ending with 17.
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Do not overtighten these fasteners, and we recommend against the use of powered tools for these or any other fasteners on the Framework Laptop 16.
The deck should lay flat. Pay attention to any bulges at this point, which can be caused by thicker heatsinks attached to your SSD or RAM module.
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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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