239 lines
8.7 KiB
Markdown
239 lines
8.7 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Flashing the ThinkPad T400 externally
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x-toc-enable: true
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...
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NOTE: Libreboot standardises on [flashprog](https://flashprog.org/wiki/Flashprog)
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now, as of 27 January 2024, which is a fork of flashrom.
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Dell Latitude E6400
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===================
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**If you haven't bought an T400 yet: the [Dell Latitude
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E6400](../../news/e6400.md) is much easier to flash; no disassembly required,
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it can be flashed entirely in software from Dell BIOS to Libreboot. It is the
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same hardware generation (GM45), with same CPUs, video processor, etc.**
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Introduction
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============
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Initial flashing instructions for T400.
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This guide is for those who want libreboot on their ThinkPad T400 while
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they still have the original Lenovo BIOS present. This guide can also be
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followed (adapted) if you brick your T400, to know how to recover.
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An
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["HMM"](https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/43y6629_05.pdf#page=386)
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(Hardware Maintenance Manual) detailing the process of [dis]assembly
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is available for this model. Be careful when reassembling the laptop as
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the screws on page 114 (with title "1130 Keyboard bezel") are swapped
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and if you follow the HMM you will punch a hole through the bezel in the
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upper right corner.
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Serial port {#serial_port}
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-----------
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EHCI debug might not be needed. It has been reported that the docking
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station for this laptop has a serial port, so it might be possible to
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use that instead.
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A note about CPUs
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=================
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[ThinkWiki](http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T400) has a list of
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CPUs for this system. The Core 2 Duo P8400, P8600 and P8700 are believed
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to work in libreboot.
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T9600, T9500, T9550 and T9900 are all compatible, as reported by users.
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Quad-core CPUs
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--------------
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Very likely to be compatible, but requires hardware modification.
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Based on info from German forum post about installing Core Quad CPU on T500 found in coreboot mailing list. Currently work in progress and no guide available.
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- [Coreboot mailing list post](https://mail.coreboot.org/pipermail/coreboot/2016-November/082463.html)
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- [German forum post about install Core Quad on T500](https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/199129)
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A note about GPUs
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=================
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Some models have an Intel GPU, while others have both an ATI and an
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Intel GPU; this is referred to as "switchable graphics". In the *BIOS
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setup* program for lenovobios, you can specify that the system will use
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one or the other (but not both).
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libreboot is known to work on systems with only the Intel GPU, using
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native graphics initialization. On systems with switchable graphics, the
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Intel GPU is used and the ATI GPU is disabled, so native graphics
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initialization works all the same.
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CPU paste required
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==================
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See [\#paste](#paste).
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Flash chip size {#flashchips}
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===============
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Use this to find out:
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flashprog -p internal
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MAC address {#macaddress}
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===========
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Refer to [mac\_address.md](../hardware/mac_address.md).
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How to flash externally
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=========================
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Refer to [spi.md](spi.md) as a guide for external re-flashing.
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The procedure
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-------------
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Remove *all* screws, placing them in the order that you removed them:\
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Remove those three screws then remove the rear bezel:\
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Remove the speakers:\
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Remove the wifi:\
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Remove this cable:\
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Unroute those antenna wires:\
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Remove the LCD assembly:\
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Disconnect the NVRAM battery:\
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Disconnect the fan:\
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Unscrew these:\
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Unscrew the heatsink, then lift it off:\
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Disconnect the power jack:\
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Loosen this:\
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Remove this:\
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Unscrew these:\
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Remove this:\
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Unscrew this:\
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Remove the motherboard (the cage is still attached) from the right hand
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side, then lift it out:\
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Remove these screws, placing the screws in the same layout and marking
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each screw hole (so that you know what ones to put the screws back into
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later):  
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Separate the motherboard:\
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Connect your programmer, then connect GND and 3.3V\
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A dedicated 3.3V PSU was used to create this guide, but at ATX PSU is
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also fine:\
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Of course, make sure to turn on your PSU:\
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Now, you should be ready to install libreboot.
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Refer to the external flashing instructions [here](spi.md), and when you're
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done, re-assemble your laptop.
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Thermal paste (IMPORTANT)
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=========================
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Because part of this procedure involved removing the heatsink, you will
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need to apply new paste. Arctic MX-4 is ok. You will also need isopropyl
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alcohol and an anti-static cloth to clean with.
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When re-installing the heatsink, you must first clean off all old paste
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with the alcohol/cloth. Then apply new paste. Arctic MX-4 is also much
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better than the default paste used on these systems.
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NOTE: the photo above is for illustration purposes only, and does not
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show how to properly apply the thermal paste. Other guides online detail
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the proper application procedure.
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Memory
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======
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In DDR3 machines with Cantiga (GM45/GS45/PM45), northbridge requires sticks
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that will work as PC3-8500 (faster PC3/PC3L sticks can work as PC3-8500).
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Non-matching pairs may not work. Single module (meaning, one of the slots
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will be empty) will currently only work in slot 0.
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NOTE: according to users reports, non matching pairs (e.g. 1+2 GiB) might
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work in some cases.
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Make sure that the RAM you buy is the 2Rx8 configuration when buying 4GiB sticks
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(In other words: maximum of 2GiB per rank, 2 ranks per card).
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[This page](http://www.forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=760721) might
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be useful for RAM compatibility info (note: coreboot raminit is
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different, so this page might be BS)
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The following photo shows 8GiB (2x4GiB) of RAM installed:\
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Boot it!
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--------
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You should see something like this:
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Now [install Linux](../linux/).
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