Can't update Retimer firmware (Intel Ultra Series 1)

[VickyFrenzy]

Device Information

System Model or SKU

• Framework Laptop 13 (Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 1)

BIOS VERSION

3.03

DIY Edition information

Memory: Crucial 2x32Go 5600MHz (CT2K32G56C46S5)
Storage: Samsung SSD 990 PRO 4TB

Standalone Operation

• No

Describe the bug

Cannot do step 2 of the 3.04 BIOS upgrade process (step 1 was successful).

Update Failed!!!
EFI ERROR CODE: 07
Firmware update failed!!!

Retimer stuck on version CF.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Ran Step2_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port01_624.exe

Expected behavior

I expected the update to be successful.

Screenshots

Operating System (please complete the following information):

• OS/Distribution: Windows 11
• Version: 22631.4890

[JohnAZoidberg]

What expansion cards have you got plugged in on the right side while doing the update?
Could you try again, unplugging them before you start the update?

[VickyFrenzy]

What expansion cards have you got plugged in on the right side while doing the update? Could you try again, unplugging them before you start the update?

I had no expansion cards plugged except for the one for power on the left side. I also tried both sides.

[quinchou77]

Do you update the retimer firmware based on BIOS 3.03?

[VickyFrenzy]

Do you update the retimer firmware based on BIOS 3.03?

Since I did step one successfully, my bios is 3.03 (was 3.01 before step one)

[quinchou77]

It is the known issue in previous BIOS version. System may report the device error when update the retimer.
If you want to do the retimer update, we suggest to use the latest version 3.09, which has the fixed for retimer update.
Since the BIOS version is 3.03 on your system, you need to update to 3.06 first, then update to 3.09.

However, the retimer update is optional, if you don't have any problem with tbt ports, you can ignore the retimer update.

[VickyFrenzy]

It is the known issue in previous BIOS version. System may report the device error when update the retimer. If you want to do the retimer update, we suggest to use the latest version 3.09, which has the fixed for retimer update. Since the BIOS version is 3.03 on your system, you need to update to 3.06 first, then update to 3.09.

There are no such thing as 3.06 and 3.09 for Framework Laptop 13 Intel Core Ultra Series 1.
3.04 is the latest available BIOS firmware as seen here.

Also the instructions are clear:

Run the following updates in sequence. After each file is run your system will automatically restart.

1. Step1_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_BIOS_3.03.exe
2. Step2_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port01_624.exe
3. Step3_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port23_624.exe
4. Step4_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_BIOS_3.04.exe

---

However, the retimer update is optional, if you don't have any problem with tbt ports, you can ignore the retimer update.

Since upgrading to 3.03, I'm having an issue where the power led blink between white and orange while plugged in.

I want to know from the Framework team if it's safe to upgrade to 3.04 directly if the step 2 and 3 are failing (Retimer updates that won't work) if we can't figure out any way to make the Retimer updates work.

[VickyFrenzy]

I also posted about my issue here: https://community.frame.work/t/framework-laptop-13-intel-core-ultra-series-1-bios-3-04-release/59579/33?u=vicky

[quinchou77]

Sorry, I mixed up the product categories. The issue you reported is for Ultra Series 1. Let me check again, then have the update for you.

[quinchou77]

@VickyFrenzy Could you help me to check the PD version in BIOS setup after you update to 3.03?

[VickyFrenzy]

@VickyFrenzy Could you help me to check the PD version in BIOS setup after you update to 3.03?

Well I'm already on 3.03 like I said and I can't reinstall 3.03 from Windows as it's saying it's already installed.

The only way I found I could attempt to reinstall 3.03 is by rewriting the startup.nsh EFI script to just start the 3.03 update (since by default the script will install 3.04 if the current version is 3.03) which I haven't tried yet except for starting the retimers updates to see if that would make a difference if it's not started from Windows but it had the exact same result.

Since I'm unsure if it's safe to skip the retimers update before updating to 3.04, I preferred to wait for advice on my situation (but most importantly truly fix my issue with the retimers updates that are failing).

Anyway @quinchou77 the BIOS is reporting version 0.0.08 for both PD controllers.

[quinchou77]

I follow the same steps to update BIOS and retimer from BIOS 3.01.

Step1_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_BIOS_3.03.exe Success with error
Step2_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port01_624.exe Complete without error
Step3_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port23_624.exe Complete without error
Step4_Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_BIOS_3.04.exe Success with error

Retimer f/w update is optional, so you still can update to 3.04 with PD version 0.0.0A, then update the retimer firmware if you want.

I also do the below steps to make sure the BIOS and retimer update work from BIOS 3.01.
Step1 Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_BIOS_3.03.exe Success with error
Step2 Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_BIOS_3.04.exe Success with error
Step3 Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port01_624.exe Complete without error
Step4 Framework_Laptop_13_Intel_Core_Ultra_Series1_Retimer_port23_624.exe Complete without error