Librem 14 does not boot

Hardware Librem 14
1

Hi all, my Librem 14 shows “no bootable OS on default boot device” when booting and the keyboard is not working. Also, when I press the power button, the keyboard backlight does not turn on. I’m suspecting hardware issue because I’m traveling with it. What should I do?

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2

Normally for “no bootable OS” I would suggest reseating the disk - and for the keyboard issue I would suggest checking whether a cable has come loose. If you can resolve the keyboard issue then I would also suggest a Live Boot if you have a Live Boot USB with you. However I understand that you are away and hence may not have access to all the right stuff for doing that or for further investigation generally.

If it’s under warranty then obviously you can officially ask Purism whether they have more specific advice.

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3

Thank you for your timely reply. I have another question: Do I need to unplug the battery when reseating the disk and keyboard?

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4

No, but it is good practice.

5

Curiously, when I opened the back panel the problem was gone. But as soon as I put the back panel back, the problem appeared again.

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6

Which of the problems did it temporarily solve?

7

Both problems: disk detection and keyboard issue.

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8

I also noticed that, disk detection issue is always accompanied by keyboard issue. But not vice versa.

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9

The “Librem 14” splash lasts longer if there’s disk detection issue. And sometimes keyboard randomly stops working after boot. Also, if I fasten one of the screws on the battery, boot never succeeds.

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10

The battery compartment’s lower right screw is directly behind the spacebar, so it is important that it is not screwed in far.

11

I found that as long as the screw on the left (near Enter key) is fastened, the problem appears. Even the keyboard backlight stops working from time to time.

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12

Okay, I suggest preparing an email to Purism support:

https://docs.puri.sm/Contact.html

Once you are done travelling, send in your Librem 14 using an RMA and mention this topic.

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I think this laptop’s warranty has long expired. I brought it in 2019 (or maybe 2020). For now, I’d like to find a workaround.

Another experiment I performed is that I directly pressured on the keyboard cable and powered on the laptop, then the boot process failed. So I suspect the keyboard cable is faulty.

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14

I not fancy for English either i am a Guru, but can you full disconnect the battery very carefully then mandatory but the cover back without screwing and connect your Gnu Machine to the barrel charger to TEST Booting and Keyboard? because looks like a Battery Malfuntion.

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15

That’s a good point. I haven’t tested this. But currently, I have moved the cable above the battery. And I have a few successful boots in a row.

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16

To me, it sounds like you have what’s called an intermittent mechanical failure.
Could be: cold solder point, broken trace, shorting cable, damaged connector (pins)…
This type of intermittent failures is very hard to diagnose unfortunately.
But once in a while, you might get lucky trying this: disassemble all elements that can be removed (incl. the motherboard) and carefully reassemble everything. If the magic works, the problem will be gone and you will never know what it was - but who cares, as long as it works!

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17

I moved the keyboard cable above the battery and have booted it many times. Now it seems the problems have gone! I do not know how it affects disk detection. But anyway it works now :smiley: .

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18

Great, mark your post as a solution.