8.7 KiB
This is a GM45/PM45 platform, so completely libre initialisation in coreboot is possible, provided by default in Libreboot.
Management Engine (ME) firmware removed
This port in Libreboot makes use of ich9gen from ich9utils, which
you can read about in the ich9utils manual - this
creates a no-ME setup. The Intel Management Engine firmware (ME) is completely
removed, and the ME disabled, just like on ThinkPad X200, T400 and so on.
The E6400 laptops may come with the ME (and sometimes AMT in addition) before flashing libreboot. Dell also sold configurations with the ME completely disabled, identifiable by a yellow sticker reading "3 ME Disabled" inside the bottom panel. This config sets the MeDisable bit in the IFD and sets the ME 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 (contains notes, plus instructions)
Issues pertaining to Nvidia GPU variants
Copper shim for GPU cooling
NOTE: this section does not apply to XFR or ATG variants of E6400, which have a much beefier heatsink by default.
The default heatsink in Nvidia variants of E6400 (regular model) has thermal paste for the CPU, and a thermal pad for the GPU. This pad is woefully inadequate, but replacing it with paste is a bad idea, because of the gap there would be between heatsink plate and GPU die.
A solution for this would be to use a copper shim, with paste on each side, to replace the thermal pad.
This eBay seller seems to make and sell a lot of copper shims, specifically for E6400:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/282033838969
If the listing ends, please contact the Libreboot project so that this link can be replaced or (if a replacement link is no longer available) removed.
If you buy one of those, could you measure it? Tell Libreboot the dimensions. Get in touch with us. It would be nice to know precise specs, but that seller provides what you need. If you find similar listings elsewhere, please also let us know.
The shim will greatly reduce GPU temperatures, and probably improve performance due to less GPU throttling as a result of heat.
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. It crashes in Linux, when you try to start Xorg (Wayland is untested).
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.
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 Xorg works OK with
the nv driver.
OpenBSD is a complete free 4.4BSD Unix operating system focused on portability, security and code correctness. It's quite useable for most day to day tasks.
You can find information in Libreboot about BSD operating systems on the main guide:
FreeBSD and newer Linux (e.g. Archlinux) untested!
FreeBSD has not yet been tested, as far as we know, but it should work.
Testers needed! Please get in touch!
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.