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contrib: Update the ich9gen section in Steve's contribs

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Runxi Yu 2025-02-07 22:36:26 +08:00
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@ -631,20 +631,19 @@ engineered the layout of the Intel GbE NVM (non-volatile memory) region in the
boot flash. This region defines configuration options for the onboard Intel
GbE NIC, if present.
Based on this, I was able to take Steve's initial proof of concept and write
Based on this, I was able to take Steve's initial proof of concept
and work with him extensively to write
the `ich9gen` utility, which generates an Intel Flash Descriptor and GbE NVM
region, from scratch, without an Intel ME region defined. It is this tool,
the `ich9gen` tool, that Libreboot uses to provide ROM images for GM45+ICH9M
region, from scratch, without an Intel ME region defined,
without needing a dump of the original Lenovo BIOS firmware.
Libreboot used to use `ich9gen` to provide ROM images for GM45+ICH9M
platforms (such as ThinkPad X200/T400/T500/W500), with a fully functional
descriptor and functional Gigabit Ethernet, but *without* needing Intel
Management Engine (ME) firmware, thus making those machines *libre* (the ME
is fully disabled, when you use a descriptor+gbe image generated by `ich9gen`).
With *my* `ich9gen` tool (Steve's tool was called `ich9deblob`), you didn't
need a dump of the original Lenovo BIOS firmware anymore! I could not have
written this tool, without Steve's initial proof of concept. I worked with him,
extensively, for many months. All GM45+ICH9M support (X200, T400, etc) in
Libreboot is made possible because of the work he did, back in 2014.
Note that `ich9gen` is now obsolete as the Flash Descriptor and NVM region
are generated pre-assembled, and `nvmutil` is used to change MAC addresses
instead.
### Swift Geek