news post: E6400 XFR and nvidia variants
Leah Rowe
parent
07915f03d5
commit
2694bb99e8
|
|
@ -5,15 +5,16 @@ x-toc-enable: true
|
|||
|
||||
<div class="specs">
|
||||
<center>
|
||||
Dell Latitude E6400
|
||||
<img tabindex=1 alt="Dell Latitude E6400" class="p" src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400-seabios.jpg" /><span class="f"><img src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400-seabios.jpg" /></span> <img tabindex=1 alt="Dell Latitude E6400 XFR" class="p" style="max-width:24em" src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400xfr-seabios.jpg" /><span class="f"><img src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400xfr-seabios.jpg" /></span>
|
||||
</center>
|
||||
|
||||
| ***Specifications*** | |
|
||||
|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
|
||||
| **Manufacturer** | Dell |
|
||||
| **Name** | Latitude E6400 |
|
||||
| **Variants** | E6400, E6400 XFR and E6400 ATG are supported |
|
||||
| **Released** | 2009 |
|
||||
| **Chipset** | Intel Cantiga GM45 |
|
||||
| **Chipset** | Intel Cantiga GM45(Intel GPU)/PM45(Nvidia GPU) |
|
||||
| **CPU** | Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn family). A Quad-core
|
||||
mod exists, replacing the Core 2 Duo with a Core Quad |
|
||||
| **Graphics** | Intel GMA 4500MHD (and NVidia Quadro NVS 160M
|
||||
|
|
@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ Dell Latitude E6400
|
|||
| **EC** | SMSC MEC5035 with proprietary firmware |
|
||||
| **Original boot firmware** | Dell BIOS |
|
||||
| **Intel ME/AMD PSP** | Present. Can be completely disabled. |
|
||||
| **Flash chip** | SOIC-8 4MiB or 2MiB+4MiB (Upgradable to 16MiB) |
|
||||
| **Flash chip** | SOIC-8 4MiB or 2MiB+4MiB |
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
|
@ -39,7 +40,8 @@ P*: Partially works with blobs
|
|||
| ***Features*** | |
|
||||
|---------------------------------------------------|----|
|
||||
| **Internal flashing with original boot firmware** | W+ |
|
||||
| **Display** | W+ |
|
||||
| **Display (if Intel GPU)** | W+ |
|
||||
| **Display (if Nvidia GPU)** | W* |
|
||||
| **Audio** | W+ |
|
||||
| **RAM Init** | W+ |
|
||||
| **External output** | W+ |
|
||||
|
|
@ -54,6 +56,11 @@ P*: Partially works with blobs
|
|||
Introduction
|
||||
============
|
||||
|
||||
Known supported variants: E6400, E6400 XFR and E6400 ATG. This page has
|
||||
been updated to include information about Nvidia GPU variants. See news post:
|
||||
[Dell Latitude E6400 XFR support confirmed, plus experimental Nvidia GPU
|
||||
support on E6400 variants](../../news/e6400nvidia.md).
|
||||
|
||||
**To install Libreboot, see: [E6400 installation
|
||||
instructions](../install/e6400.md)**
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -61,10 +68,6 @@ ROM images for Dell Latitude E6400 are available for flashing in the Libreboot
|
|||
release 20230423 onwards, or you can compile a ROM image for installation via
|
||||
lbmk, see: [build instructions](../build/)
|
||||
|
||||
We believe all models with iGPU are GM45 and will work perfectly. We suspect
|
||||
that the dGPU models are PM45 and won't work yet, because Libreboot currently
|
||||
supports just the iGPU (Intel graphics) on these machines.
|
||||
|
||||
There are two possible flash chip sizes for the E6400: 4MiB (32Mbit) or 2+4MiB
|
||||
(16Mbit+32MBit). Libreboot presently supports the 4MiB version, and provides
|
||||
8MiB images for those who upgrade their flash to 8MiB or 16MiB. There appears
|
||||
|
|
@ -89,7 +92,7 @@ functionality, though this configuration has not yet been encountered.
|
|||
|
||||
Most people will want to use the 4MiB images.
|
||||
|
||||
Blob-free setup (no-ME possible)
|
||||
Intel GPU: Blob-free setup (no-ME possible)
|
||||
---------------
|
||||
|
||||
This is a GM45/PM45 platform, so completely libre initialisation in
|
||||
|
|
@ -111,3 +114,71 @@ region almost entirely to 1's, with the occasional 32-bit value (likely not
|
|||
executable). libreboot disables and removes it by using a modified descriptor:
|
||||
see [../install/ich9utils.md](../install/ich9utils.md)*
|
||||
(contains notes, plus instructions)
|
||||
|
||||
Issues pertaining to Nvidia GPU variants
|
||||
========================================
|
||||
|
||||
Nouveau(in Linux) currently broken
|
||||
----------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
Nouveau is the libre driver in Linux, for Nvidia graphics. Nvidia themselves
|
||||
do not provide binary drivers anymore, for these GPUs.
|
||||
|
||||
If you're booting an Nvidia variant in Linux, boot Linux with
|
||||
the `nomodeset` kernel option at boot time. This means that graphics are
|
||||
rendered in software.
|
||||
|
||||
More information about Nvidia E6400 models is written in
|
||||
the [regular E6400 hardware page](../docs/hardware/e6400.md). The reason it's
|
||||
in a WIP branch is because, on this day, more testing is needed; the Linux
|
||||
nouveau driver crashed when I tried to start xorg (tested in Debian
|
||||
Stable, 11.6, with default kernel and mesa - use of `nomodeset` kernel option
|
||||
at boot time makes Xorg work just fine, when I tested it, but this means that
|
||||
all video is being rendered in software) - this is being
|
||||
investigated, and when a fix is made, either to nouveau and/or coreboot, this
|
||||
variant of the E6400 will become available in Libreboot's master branch, and
|
||||
subsequent releases.
|
||||
|
||||
The same Video BIOS Option ROM is used by Dell's boot firmware, and Xorg works
|
||||
just fine there under Linux, with the same nouveau driver. A trace could be
|
||||
performed, to see where Nouveau crashes.
|
||||
|
||||
Development discussion, for Nvidia variants of E6400, is available here:
|
||||
|
||||
<https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/14>
|
||||
|
||||
OpenBSD's Nvidia driver works perfectly
|
||||
---------------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
OpenBSD 7.3 was tested, on my Nvidia-model E6400, and works perfectly,
|
||||
including 2D and 3D acceleration. I *wholeheartedly* recommend OpenBSD in
|
||||
general, but it works *especially* well on these machines.
|
||||
|
||||
<img tabindex=1 class="l" style="max-width:35%" src="https://av.libreboot.org/openbsd.jpg" /><span class="f"><img src="https://av.libreboot.org/openbsd.jpg" /></span>
|
||||
|
||||
See: <https://www.openbsd.org/>
|
||||
|
||||
OpenBSD is a complete free 4.4BSD Unix operating system focused on portability,
|
||||
security and *code correctness*. It's quite a competent OS for many purposes,
|
||||
and works very well on laptops. I use it myself for all sorts of things. If
|
||||
you're already familiar with Linux-based systems, OpenBSD will immediately
|
||||
feel familiar, and it has *the best* documentation. You can configure the
|
||||
entire system by just reading the FAQ page and *manpages*, and it's very easy
|
||||
to get a basic setup really quickly. A lot of the packages you might be familiar
|
||||
with in Linux are available in *ports*. You may have heard that Linux-based
|
||||
systems are *unix-like*, but BSD systems *are* Unix, by code heritage.
|
||||
|
||||
You can find information in Libreboot about BSD operating systems on the
|
||||
main guide:
|
||||
|
||||
* [BSD Operating Systems](../docs/bsd/)
|
||||
|
||||
FreeBSD and newer Linux (e.g. Archlinux) untested!
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
[Testers needed! Please get in touch!](../docs/maintain/testing.html)
|
||||
|
||||
**At the time of writing this post, FreeBSD
|
||||
and newer Linux have not yet been tested** (I plan to test *Arch Linux*), but
|
||||
the older Linux/Mesa version in Debian 11.6 works just fine in the Dell BIOS,
|
||||
and I've confirmed that it uses the exact same Video BIOS Option ROM.
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ libreboot currently supports the following systems in this release:
|
|||
|
||||
### Laptops (Intel, x86)
|
||||
|
||||
- **[Dell Latitute E6400](e6400.md) (easy to flash, no disassembly, similar
|
||||
- **[Dell Latitute E6400, E6400 XFR and E6400 ATG, all with Nvidia or Intel
|
||||
GPU](e6400.md) (easy to flash, no disassembly, similar
|
||||
hardware to X200/T400)**
|
||||
- ThinkPad X60 / X60S / X60 Tablet
|
||||
- ThinkPad T60 (with Intel GPU)
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -11,11 +11,20 @@ Initial flashing instructions for the E6400.
|
|||
**ROM images are available in the [Libreboot 20230423
|
||||
release](../../news/libreboot20230423.md), and subsequent releases.**
|
||||
|
||||
**Variants with Nvidia GPUs are NOT supported in Libreboot 20230423. Please
|
||||
see below for further guidance (experimental support available in `lbmk.git`).**
|
||||
|
||||
This guide is for those who want libreboot on their Latitude E6400 while
|
||||
they still have the original Dell BIOS present. This guide can also be
|
||||
followed (adapted) if you brick your E6400, to know how to recover.
|
||||
followed (adapted) if you brick your E6400, and you want to recover it.
|
||||
|
||||
Blob-free initialisation!
|
||||
Variants (nvidia or intel graphics)
|
||||
========
|
||||
|
||||
Dell E6400, E6400 XFR and E6400 ATG are all believed to work. The flashing
|
||||
instructions are identical, on all of them.
|
||||
|
||||
Blob-free initialisation (on Intel GPU variants)
|
||||
=========================
|
||||
|
||||
This board can boot entirely blob-free in the flash. The hardware is similar
|
||||
|
|
@ -36,11 +45,17 @@ Policy](../../news/policy.md) but this board run reasonably well without them.
|
|||
A note about GPUs
|
||||
-----------------
|
||||
|
||||
We *believe* the dGPU models are PM45, and therefore will require a VGA
|
||||
blob for initialisation. This is currently unsupported in Libreboot.
|
||||
We *confirm that* the Nvidia models are PM45, and therefore will require a VGA
|
||||
blob for initialisation. This is [experimentally
|
||||
supported](../../news/e6400nvidia.md) in Libreboot. - **A Video BIOS Option
|
||||
ROM is used, in this configuration, which is a binary blob. Libreboot's
|
||||
build system automatically downloads this at build time, or it can handle that
|
||||
for you in the same way if it was scrubbed from a release ROM.**
|
||||
|
||||
Models with iGPU (Intel graphics) are GM45, and fully supported in Libreboot
|
||||
with native initialisation.
|
||||
Models with Intel graphics are GM45, and fully supported in Libreboot
|
||||
with native initialisation; ROM images are available since Libreboot 20230423.
|
||||
**The Intel video initialisation is libre, implemented with publicly available
|
||||
source code via libgfxinit, from the coreboot project.**
|
||||
|
||||
Flash chip size {#flashchips}
|
||||
===============
|
||||
|
|
@ -55,11 +70,134 @@ provided for people who wish to upgrade.
|
|||
MAC address {#macaddress}
|
||||
===========
|
||||
|
||||
The MAC address is part of the ROM image that you're flashing. You can change
|
||||
it at any time, before or after you've flashed Libreboot; you can also change
|
||||
it in the *Dell* BIOS, if you really want to. This is for the onboard gigabit
|
||||
ethernet device.
|
||||
|
||||
Refer to [mac\_address.md](../hardware/mac_address.md).
|
||||
|
||||
It is recommended that you run *nvmutil*. See:
|
||||
|
||||
[nvmutil usage manual](nvmutil.md)
|
||||
|
||||
The `nvmutil` software is specifically designed for changing MAC addresses,
|
||||
and it implements a few more safeguards (e.g. prevents multicast/all-zero
|
||||
MAC addresses) and features (MAC address randomisation, ability to correct or
|
||||
intententionally corrupt(disable) GbE sections if you wish, swap GbE parts,
|
||||
etc). You can *also* run ich9gen, if you wish:
|
||||
|
||||
[ich9gen usage manual](ich9utils.md)
|
||||
|
||||
Intel GPU: libre video initialisation available
|
||||
===============================================
|
||||
|
||||
Libreboot uses coreboot's native `libgfxinit` on this platform, for
|
||||
variants with Intel graphics.
|
||||
|
||||
For Intel GPU variants, Libreboot 20230423 and up have full support. Simply
|
||||
flash a release ROM, if you wish.
|
||||
|
||||
Nvidia GPU: Video BIOS Option ROM required
|
||||
==========================================
|
||||
|
||||
This is *unavailable* in Libreboot 20230423, but a future release will contain
|
||||
support for these variants; for now, you must compile Libreboot from Git.
|
||||
|
||||
Download the Libreboot build system, lbmk, like so:
|
||||
|
||||
git clone https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk
|
||||
|
||||
When you clone the Libreboot git repository `lbmk.git`, go in there and do
|
||||
this:
|
||||
|
||||
git checkout e6400nvidia_wip
|
||||
|
||||
Actual installation is the same as with regular E6400 (Intel GPU) variants.
|
||||
Refer to the [E6400 flashing instructions](../docs/install/e6400.md).
|
||||
|
||||
The `e6400nvidia_wip` is used, because this version is still under development.
|
||||
Refer to [development discussion](https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/14#issuecomment-907758) for more information - [testers needed!](../maintain/testing.md)
|
||||
|
||||
Obtaining the VGA Option ROM (Nvidia)
|
||||
-------------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
Libreboot does not (and will not) directly distribute the Nvidia ROM, but this
|
||||
WIP branch has logic added to `blobutil`, which automatically fetches Dell
|
||||
update files and extracts the Video BIOS from it. This is inserted during
|
||||
the build process, *automatically*. Everything has been figured out *for you*,
|
||||
as is the purpose of Libreboot's [automated build system](../docs/maintain/).
|
||||
|
||||
In Libreboot release ROMs after Libreboot 20230423, this Video BIOS ROM will
|
||||
*not* be present, but you'll be able to run the same script that lbmk uses, to
|
||||
manually re-download and re-add it. The Libreboot build system scrubs certain
|
||||
binary blobs, in the scripts from lbmk that create release archives.
|
||||
|
||||
Libreboot's `blobutil`, while in the `e6400nvidia_wip` branch, can be
|
||||
executed like so:
|
||||
|
||||
./blobutil download e6400nvidia_4mb
|
||||
|
||||
*The above command is executed automatically, when Libreboot's build system
|
||||
is called, to build the full E6400 ROM image like so:*
|
||||
|
||||
./build boot roms e6400nvidia_4mb
|
||||
|
||||
The `download` command (see above) pulls down Dell's BIOS update (A34 release),
|
||||
and extracts the VGA ROM from that. This is then saved to `pciroms/` under
|
||||
lbmk.
|
||||
|
||||
The `./build boot roms` command (see above) automatically inserts this PCI
|
||||
ROM, and it is downloaded automatically if the PCI ROM is missing; if
|
||||
downloading and/or extraction (of the Option ROM) fails, the entire build
|
||||
process will fail (non-zero exit status). DO NOT flash it until you confirm
|
||||
that the build weth successfully. For example, try:
|
||||
|
||||
make -BC coreboot/default/util/cbfstool/cbfstool
|
||||
cp coreboot/default/util/cbfstool/cbfstool .
|
||||
|
||||
Then check the E6400 ROM under `bin/`. Let's say the ROM was
|
||||
named `libreboot.rom`, you would do:
|
||||
|
||||
./cbfstool libreboot.rom print
|
||||
|
||||
This would print the files that have been inserted into the ROM image (rom
|
||||
stage, car, payloads etc), and it should list the PCI option ROM as the
|
||||
following file, by name: `pci10de,06eb.rom`.
|
||||
|
||||
DO NOT flash it unless that file is present. If you've confirmed that the ROM
|
||||
has compiled successfully, you can flash it.
|
||||
|
||||
**BEFORE** you flash it, please know that support for Nvidia variants is
|
||||
a **work in progress**. Known issues exist. For more information, please
|
||||
read the [E6400 info page](../hardware/e6400.md), [E6400 nvidia news
|
||||
page](../../news/e6400nvidia.md) and the [development discussion via
|
||||
codeberg](https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/14#issuecomment-907758).
|
||||
|
||||
How to flash internally (no diassembly)
|
||||
=======================================
|
||||
|
||||
Warning for BSD users
|
||||
---------------------
|
||||
|
||||
BSD *boots* and works properly on these machines, but take note:
|
||||
|
||||
Nicholas's [e6400-flash-unlock](https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/plain/util/e6400-flash-unlock/e6400_flash_unlock.c)
|
||||
utility has not yet been ported to BSD systems. The `flashrom` software is
|
||||
available on BSD systems. Libreboot's build system has not yet been ported to
|
||||
the BSDs.
|
||||
|
||||
BSD users could run Linux from USB to run `flashrom` and `e6400-flash-unlock`.
|
||||
Virtualisation is available in BSDs, where it should be feasible to run the
|
||||
Libreboot build system, in Linux, under virtualisation.
|
||||
|
||||
Flashing from Linux
|
||||
-------------------
|
||||
|
||||
MAKE SURE you boot with this Linux kernel parameter: `iomem=relaxed` - this
|
||||
disables memory protections, permitting `/dev/mem` access needed by flashrom.
|
||||
The flash is memory mapped and flashrom accesses it via `/dev/mem`.
|
||||
|
||||
You can flash Libreboot directly from the vendor (Dell) BIOS, without taking
|
||||
the machine apart. It can be done entirely from Linux. It will probably also
|
||||
work on BSD systems, but it has only been testing on Linux thus far.
|
||||
|
|
@ -89,6 +227,36 @@ It also bypasses the SMM BIOS lock protection by disabling SMIs, and Dell's
|
|||
BIOS doesn't set any other type of protection either such as writing to
|
||||
Protected Range registers.
|
||||
|
||||
When you flash it, you can use this command:
|
||||
|
||||
flashrom -p internal -w libreboot.rom
|
||||
|
||||
Where `libreboot.rom` is your E6400 ROM. *Make sure* it's the right one.
|
||||
If flashrom complains about multiple flash chips detected, just pick one of
|
||||
them (doesn't matter which one). On *most* Dell machines, the most correct
|
||||
would probably be this option in flashrom: `-c MX25L3205D/MX25L3208D`.
|
||||
|
||||
So:
|
||||
|
||||
flashrom -p internal -w libreboot.rom -c MX25L3205D/MX25L3208D
|
||||
|
||||
When you see flashrom say `VERIFIED` at the end, that means the flash was
|
||||
successful. If you don't see that, or you're unsure, please [contact the
|
||||
Libreboot project via IRC](../../contact.md).
|
||||
|
||||
BACK UP THE FACTORY BIOS
|
||||
========================
|
||||
|
||||
The `-w` option flashes `libreboot.rom`. You may consider *backing up* the
|
||||
original Dell BIOS first, using the -r option:
|
||||
|
||||
flashrom -p internal -r backup.rom -c MX25L3205D/MX25L3208D
|
||||
|
||||
Do this while in a flashable state, after the 2nd run of `e6400-flash-unlock`.
|
||||
|
||||
Make sure the `backup.rom` file gets backed up to an external storage media,
|
||||
not the E6400 itself.
|
||||
|
||||
With this method, you can probably flash it within 5 minutes. Again, zero
|
||||
disassembly required!
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -105,3 +273,4 @@ low, which can interfere with programmers such as the Raspberry Pi. See
|
|||
|
||||
Have a look online for videos showing how to disassemble, if you wish to
|
||||
externally re-flash.
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -87,7 +87,9 @@ desirable for you to use an external/add-on graphics card
|
|||
|
||||
#### vesafb (vgarom)
|
||||
|
||||
high resolution VESA framebuffer used on startup
|
||||
high resolution VESA framebuffer used on startup. This is equivalent
|
||||
to `corebootfb` (high resolution framebuffer), but for setups where a VGA
|
||||
Option ROM is used.
|
||||
|
||||
#### txtmode (vgarom)
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -95,7 +97,11 @@ int10h text mode is used on startup
|
|||
|
||||
### normal
|
||||
|
||||
int10h text mode startup is implied here.
|
||||
NOTE: Dell Latitude E6400 Nvidia variant uses this.
|
||||
|
||||
int10h text mode startup is implied here. The `vesafb` mode is unavailable here.
|
||||
For `vesafb` mode, please use init type `vgarom`; most useful for GRUB payloads
|
||||
or perhaps Tianocore.
|
||||
|
||||
In this setup, coreboot is neither implementing libgfxinit / native graphics
|
||||
initialization nor is it finding/loading/executing VGA option ROMs. In this
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -780,6 +780,14 @@ Where certain binary blobs like Intel ME or MRC are needed on a given board,
|
|||
this script is called automatically by the build system, to download the files
|
||||
for insertion.
|
||||
|
||||
Specific binary blobs handled are:
|
||||
|
||||
* Intel ME images (via `me_cleaner`)
|
||||
* Intel MRC (haswell boards)
|
||||
* VGA option ROMs (currently just [Dell Latitude
|
||||
E6400 Nvidia variants](../../news/e6400nvidia.md))
|
||||
* KBC1126 EC firmware (HP laptops)
|
||||
|
||||
resources/scripts/blobs/extract
|
||||
===============================
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -791,12 +799,34 @@ to flash.
|
|||
Dumping the original firmware is *always* recommended, regardless of what you
|
||||
want to do.
|
||||
|
||||
Specific binary blobs handled are:
|
||||
|
||||
* Intel ME images (via `me_cleaner`)
|
||||
|
||||
TODO, NOT YET HANDLED BY `extract` (only handled by `download` and `inject`):
|
||||
|
||||
* Intel MRC (haswell boards)
|
||||
* KBC1126 EC firmware (HP laptops)
|
||||
* VGA option ROMs (currently just [Dell Latitude
|
||||
E6400 Nvidia variants](../../news/e6400nvidia.md))
|
||||
|
||||
The `extract` method is useful for offline installation, where such files
|
||||
are required, and available.
|
||||
|
||||
resources/scripts/blobs/inject
|
||||
==============================
|
||||
|
||||
Where a blob is provided, via the `extract` or `download` method, *this*
|
||||
script *inserts* a blob (ME, MRC etc) into a given target image.
|
||||
|
||||
Specific binary blobs handled are:
|
||||
|
||||
* Intel ME images (via `me_cleaner`)
|
||||
* Intel MRC (haswell boards)
|
||||
* VGA option ROMs (currently just [Dell Latitude
|
||||
E6400 Nvidia variants](../../news/e6400nvidia.md))
|
||||
* KBC1126 EC firmware (HP laptops)
|
||||
|
||||
resources/scripts/build/
|
||||
========================
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -1135,6 +1165,13 @@ within them, requiring manual insertion by the user post-release. See:
|
|||
[Insert binary blobs
|
||||
on Sandybridge/Ivybridge/Haswell](../install/ivy_has_common.md)
|
||||
|
||||
resources/scripts/download/bios\_utilities
|
||||
==========================================
|
||||
|
||||
This downloads and patches `bios_utilities`.
|
||||
|
||||
Command: `./download bios_utilities`
|
||||
|
||||
resources/scripts/download/coreboot
|
||||
===================================
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -1310,7 +1347,15 @@ resources/seabios/config/vgarom
|
|||
===============================
|
||||
|
||||
This version is for normal SeaBIOS configurations, where `libgfxinit` is not
|
||||
to be used.
|
||||
to be used; coreboot itself handles VGA ROM initialisation.
|
||||
|
||||
resources/seabios/config/normal
|
||||
===============================
|
||||
|
||||
This version is for normal SeaBIOS configurations, where `libgfxinit` is not
|
||||
to be used; coreboot itself does *not* handle VGA ROM initialisation, and it
|
||||
is assumed that SeaBIOS payload will be used in text mode. In this setup,
|
||||
SeaBIOS executes VGA ROMs.
|
||||
|
||||
resources/seabios/patches/
|
||||
==========================
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
|
|||
e6400nvidia.md
|
||||
libreboot20230423.md
|
||||
hp_elitebooks.md
|
||||
e6400.md
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
|
|||
% Leah Rowe
|
||||
% 19 April 2023
|
||||
|
||||
**UPDATE (9 May 2023): Libreboot confirmed working on variants such as
|
||||
[E6400 XFR, and experiment Nvidia GPU variant support now
|
||||
available](e6400nvidia.md).**
|
||||
|
||||
Introduction
|
||||
============
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
|
|||
% Dell Latitude E6400 XFR support confirmed, plus experimental Nvidia GPU support on E6400 variants
|
||||
% Leah Rowe
|
||||
% 9 May 2023
|
||||
|
||||
<img tabindex=1 class="r" style="max-width:35%" src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400xfr-seabios.jpg" /><span class="f"><img src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400xfr-seabios.jpg" /></span>
|
||||
|
||||
Introduction
|
||||
============
|
||||
|
||||
[Dell Latitude E6400 *with Intel GMA 4500MHD* graphics](e6400.md) was added, and
|
||||
included in the recent Libreboot 20230423 release. *Today*, [experimental
|
||||
support](https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/log/?h=e6400nvidia_wip) is now
|
||||
available for variants with GPU: Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M. The Dell Latitude 6400
|
||||
XFR (rugged variant) was also tested today (Intel graphics) and confirmed
|
||||
working in Libreboot 20230423.
|
||||
|
||||
The *Nvidia* variants are *not* supported in Libreboot 20230423. Support is
|
||||
available in an experimental branch of Libreboot. Read the rest of this article
|
||||
to learn more.
|
||||
|
||||
Dell Latitude E6400 with Nvidia GPU
|
||||
===================================
|
||||
|
||||
This section *also* applies to E6400 XFS and ATG models. [Testers are
|
||||
needed!](../docs/maintain/testing.md).
|
||||
|
||||
*Some* models of Dell Latitude E6400 have Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M graphics
|
||||
device, instead of Intel GMA 4500MHD. The *initial* Libreboot port of Dell
|
||||
E6400 *only* supported models with Intel graphics, but experimental support
|
||||
for Nvidia graphics now exists, in a WIP branch of Libreboot.
|
||||
|
||||
<img tabindex=1 class="l" style="max-width:25%" src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400-seabios.jpg" /><span class="f"><img src="https://av.libreboot.org/e6400/e6400-seabios.jpg" /></span>
|
||||
|
||||
The Libreboot documentation has been updated, to cover these models. Refer
|
||||
to Dell Latitude E6400 documentation in Libreboot; specifically,
|
||||
the [E6400 info page](../docs/hardware/e6400.md) and [E6400 flashing
|
||||
guide](../docs/install/e6400.md).
|
||||
|
||||
Nicholas Chin, author of the original Dell E6400 port, has been helping me and
|
||||
I've been working on this experimental branch of Libreboot under his
|
||||
guidance:
|
||||
|
||||
* <https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/log/?h=e6400nvidia_wip>
|
||||
|
||||
*These* patches were already merged in Libreboot's master branch, which the
|
||||
changes in the WIP branch rely upon:
|
||||
|
||||
* Import the `bios_extract` utilities in lbmk: <https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/commit/?id=6d0ff0286451dc43d32428a44a68d07bc13c058a>
|
||||
* Bug fixes from Nicholas for `bios_extract`: <https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/commit/?id=2e64f6397556b7e6fff8a7a305a5eaa1095acfc1>
|
||||
* blobutil: support downloading VGA ROM for Nvidia E6400: <https://browse.libreboot.org/lbmk.git/commit/?id=5a197b4ff160a348179a3350af266c6b87a3aa04>
|
||||
|
||||
Ongoing development discussion is available, on the Libreboot bug tracker. See:
|
||||
|
||||
* <https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/14>
|
||||
|
||||
For more information about the *Nvidia GPU* variants, please review the
|
||||
following pages (which have been updated, while publishing this news article):
|
||||
|
||||
* [Dell Latitude E6400 hardware information](../docs/hardware/e6400.md)
|
||||
* [Dell Latitude E6400 flashing instructions](../docs/install/e6400.md)
|
||||
|
||||
Nouveau(in Linux) currently broken
|
||||
----------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
Nouveau is the libre driver in Linux, for Nvidia graphics. Nvidia themselves
|
||||
do not provide binary drivers anymore, for these GPUs.
|
||||
|
||||
If you're booting an Nvidia variant in Linux, boot Linux with
|
||||
the `nomodeset` kernel option at boot time. This means that graphics are
|
||||
rendered in software.
|
||||
|
||||
More information about Nvidia E6400 models is written in
|
||||
the [regular E6400 hardware page](../docs/hardware/e6400.md). The reason it's
|
||||
in a WIP branch is because, on this day, more testing is needed; the Linux
|
||||
nouveau driver crashed when I tried to start xorg (tested in Debian
|
||||
Stable, 11.6, with default kernel and mesa - use of `nomodeset` kernel option
|
||||
at boot time makes Xorg work just fine, when I tested it, but this means that
|
||||
all video is being rendered in software) - this is being
|
||||
investigated, and when a fix is made, either to nouveau and/or coreboot, this
|
||||
variant of the E6400 will become available in Libreboot's master branch, and
|
||||
subsequent releases.
|
||||
|
||||
The same Video BIOS Option ROM is used by Dell's boot firmware, and Xorg works
|
||||
just fine there under Linux, with the same nouveau driver. A trace could be
|
||||
performed, to see where Nouveau crashes.
|
||||
|
||||
Development discussion, for Nvidia variants of E6400, is available here:
|
||||
|
||||
<https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/14>
|
||||
|
||||
OpenBSD's Nvidia driver works perfectly
|
||||
---------------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
OpenBSD 7.3 was tested, on my Nvidia-model E6400, and works perfectly,
|
||||
including 2D and 3D acceleration. I *wholeheartedly* recommend OpenBSD in
|
||||
general, but it works *especially* well on these machines.
|
||||
|
||||
<img tabindex=1 class="l" style="max-width:35%" src="https://av.libreboot.org/openbsd.jpg" /><span class="f"><img src="https://av.libreboot.org/openbsd.jpg" /></span>
|
||||
|
||||
See: <https://www.openbsd.org/>
|
||||
|
||||
OpenBSD is a complete free 4.4BSD Unix operating system focused on portability,
|
||||
security and *code correctness*. It's quite a competent OS for many purposes,
|
||||
and works very well on laptops. I use it myself for all sorts of things. If
|
||||
you're already familiar with Linux-based systems, OpenBSD will immediately
|
||||
feel familiar, and it has *the best* documentation. You can configure the
|
||||
entire system by just reading the FAQ page and *manpages*, and it's very easy
|
||||
to get a basic setup really quickly. A lot of the packages you might be familiar
|
||||
with in Linux are available in *ports*. You may have heard that Linux-based
|
||||
systems are *unix-like*, but BSD systems *are* Unix, by code heritage.
|
||||
|
||||
You can find information in Libreboot about BSD operating systems on the
|
||||
main guide:
|
||||
|
||||
* [BSD Operating Systems](../docs/bsd/)
|
||||
|
||||
FreeBSD and newer Linux (e.g. Archlinux) untested!
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
[Testers needed! Please get in touch!](../docs/maintain/testing.html)
|
||||
|
||||
**At the time of writing this post, FreeBSD
|
||||
and newer Linux have not yet been tested** (I plan to test *Arch Linux*), but
|
||||
the older Linux/Mesa version in Debian 11.6 works just fine in the Dell BIOS,
|
||||
and I've confirmed that it uses the exact same Video BIOS Option ROM.
|
||||
|
||||
Dell Latitude E6400 ATG model
|
||||
-----------------------------
|
||||
|
||||
[Testers needed! Please get in touch!](../docs/maintain/testing.html)
|
||||
|
||||
We also found out about this model; it's another rugged design, assumed to
|
||||
be the same board as regular E6400, but testing is needed. If it's anything to
|
||||
go by, this model shares the same service manual as the regular E6400. If you
|
||||
have this board, please [get in touch](../docs/maintain/testing.md)!
|
||||
|
||||
ATG is basically just a thicker chassis. It seems to use the same/similar
|
||||
heatsink compared to E6400 XFR.
|
||||
|
||||
Were you expecting more?
|
||||
|
||||
Well, that's all for now.
|
||||
|
||||
Stay tuned for further development.
|
||||
Loading…
Reference in New Issue