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+<div class="section">
+
+Flashing the T500 with a BeagleBone Black {#pagetop}
+=========================================
+
+Initial flashing instructions for T500.
+
+This guide is for those who want libreboot on their ThinkPad T500 while
+they still have the original Lenovo BIOS present. This guide can also be
+followed (adapted) if you brick your T500, to know how to recover.
+
+[Back to main index](./)
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
+
+Libreboot T400 {#t400}
+==============
+
+You may also be interested in the smaller, more portable [Libreboot
+T400](t400_external.html).
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
+
+Serial port {#serial_port}
+-----------
+
+EHCI debug might not be needed. It has been reported that the docking
+station for this laptop has a serial port, so it might be possible to
+use that instead.
+
+</div>
+
+<div id="cpu_compatibility" class="section">
+
+A note about CPUs
+=================
+
+[ThinkWiki](http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T500) has a list of
+CPUs for this system. The Core 2 Duo P8400, P8600 and P8700 are believed
+to work in libreboot. The T9600 was also tested on the T400 and
+confirmed working, so the T9400/T9500/T9550 probably also work, but they
+are untested.
+
+Quad-core CPUs
+--------------
+
+Incompatible. Do not use.
+
+</div>
+
+<div id="switchable_graphics" class="section">
+
+A note about GPUs
+=================
+
+Some models have an Intel GPU, while others have both an ATI and an
+Intel GPU; this is referred to as \"switchable graphics\". In the *BIOS
+setup* program for lenovobios, you can specify that the system will use
+one or the other (but not both).
+
+Libreboot is known to work on systems with only the Intel GPU, using
+native graphics initialization. On systems with switchable graphics, the
+Intel GPU is used and the ATI GPU is disabled, so native graphics
+initialization works all the same.
+
+CPU paste required
+==================
+
+See [\#paste](#paste).
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
+
+Flash chip size {#flashchips}
+===============
+
+Use this to find out:\
+\# **flashrom -p internal -V**
+
+[Back to top of page.](#pagetop)
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section photos">
+
+MAC address {#macaddress}
+===========
+
+On the T500, the MAC address for the onboard gigabit ethernet chipset is
+stored inside the flash chip, along with other configuration data.
+
+Keep a note of the MAC address before disassembly; this is very
+important, because you will need to insert this into the libreboot ROM
+image before flashing it. It will be written in one of these locations:
+
+![](images/t400/macaddress0.jpg) ![](images/t400/macaddress1.jpg)
+![](images/x200/disassembly/0001.jpg)
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section photos">
+
+Initial BBB configuration
+=========================
+
+Refer to [bbb\_setup.html](bbb_setup.html) for how to configure the BBB
+for flashing.
+
+The following shows how to connect clip to the BBB (on the P9 header),
+for SOIC-16 (clip: Pomona 5252):
+
+ POMONA 5252 (correlate with the BBB guide)
+ === ethernet jack and VGA port ====
+ NC - - 21
+ 1 - - 17
+ NC - - NC
+ NC - - NC
+ NC - - NC
+ NC - - NC
+ 18 - - 3.3V (PSU)
+ 22 - - NC - this is pin 1 on the flash chip
+ === SATA port ===
+ This is how you will connect. Numbers refer to pin numbers on the BBB, on the plugs near the DC jack.
+
+The following shows how to connect clip to the BBB (on the P9 header),
+for SOIC-8 (clip: Pomona 5250):
+
+ POMONA 5250 (correlate with the BBB guide)
+ === RAM slots ====
+ 18 - - 1
+ 22 - - NC
+ NC - - 21
+ 3.3V (PSU) - - 17 - this is pin 1 on the flash chip
+ === slot where the AC jack is connected ===
+
+ This is how you will connect. Numbers refer to pin numbers on the BBB, on the plugs near the DC jack.
+
+The procedure
+-------------
+
+Remove all screws:\
+![](images/t500/0000.jpg)\
+It is also advisable to, throughout the disassembly, place any screws
+and/or components that you removed in the same layout or arrangement.
+The follow photos demonstrate this:\
+![](images/t500/0001.jpg) ![](images/t500/0002.jpg)
+
+Remove the HDD/SSD and optical drive:\
+![](images/t500/0003.jpg) ![](images/t500/0004.jpg)
+
+Remove the palm rest:\
+![](images/t500/0005.jpg) ![](images/t500/0006.jpg)
+
+Remove the keyboard and rear bezel:\
+![](images/t500/0007.jpg) ![](images/t500/0008.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0009.jpg) ![](images/t500/0010.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0011.jpg) ![](images/t500/0012.jpg)
+
+If you have a WWAN/3G card and/or sim card reader, remove them
+permanently. The WWAN-3G card has proprietary firmware inside; the
+technology is identical to what is used in mobile phones, so it can also
+track your movements:\
+![](images/t500/0013.jpg) ![](images/t500/0017.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0018.jpg)
+
+Remove this frame, and then remove the wifi chip:\
+![](images/t500/0014.jpg) ![](images/t500/0015.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0016.jpg)
+
+Remove the speakers:\
+![](images/t500/0019.jpg) ![](images/t500/0020.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0021.jpg) ![](images/t500/0022.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0023.jpg) ![](images/t500/0024.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0025.jpg)
+
+Remove the NVRAM battery (already removed in this photo):\
+![](images/t500/0026.jpg)
+
+When you re-assemble, you will be replacing the wifi chip with another.
+These two screws don\'t hold anything together, but they are included in
+your system because the screw holes for half-height cards are a
+different size, so use these if you will be installing a half-height
+card:\
+![](images/t500/0027.jpg)
+
+Unroute the antenna wires:\
+![](images/t500/0028.jpg) ![](images/t500/0029.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0030.jpg) ![](images/t500/0031.jpg)
+
+Disconnect the LCD cable from the motherboard:\
+![](images/t500/0032.jpg) ![](images/t500/0033.jpg)
+
+Remove the LCD assembly hinge screws, and then remove the LCD assembly:\
+![](images/t500/0034.jpg) ![](images/t500/0035.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0036.jpg)
+
+Remove the fan and heatsink:\
+![](images/t500/0037.jpg) ![](images/t500/0038.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0039.jpg)
+
+Remove this screw:\
+![](images/t500/0040.jpg)
+
+Remove these cables, keeping note of how and in what arrangement they
+are connected:\
+![](images/t500/0041.jpg) ![](images/t500/0042.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0043.jpg) ![](images/t500/0044.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0045.jpg) ![](images/t500/0046.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0047.jpg) ![](images/t500/0048.jpg)
+![](images/t500/0049.jpg)
+
+Disconnect the power jack:\
+![](images/t500/0050.jpg) ![](images/t500/0051.jpg)
+
+Remove the motherboard and cage from the base (the marked hole is where
+those cables were routed through):\
+![](images/t500/0052.jpg) ![](images/t500/0053.jpg)
+
+Remove all screws, arranging them in the same layout when placing the
+screws on a surface and marking each screw hole (this is to reduce the
+possibility of putting them back in the wrong holes):\
+![](images/t500/0054.jpg) ![](images/t500/0055.jpg)
+
+Also remove this:\
+![](images/t500/0056.jpg) ![](images/t500/0057.jpg)
+
+Separate the motherboard from the cage:\
+![](images/t500/0058.jpg) ![](images/t500/0059.jpg)
+
+The flash chip is next to the memory slots. On this system, it was a
+SOIC-8 (4MiB or 32Mb) flash chip:\
+![](images/t500/0060.jpg)
+
+Connect your programmer, then connect GND and 3.3V\
+![](images/t500/0061.jpg)\
+![](images/t400/0067.jpg) ![](images/t400/0069.jpg)
+![](images/t400/0070.jpg) ![](images/t400/0071.jpg)
+
+A dedicated 3.3V PSU was used to create this guide, but at ATX PSU is
+also fine:\
+![](images/t400/0072.jpg)
+
+Of course, make sure to turn on your PSU:\
+![](images/x200/disassembly/0013.jpg)
+
+Now, you should be ready to install libreboot.
+
+Flashrom binaries for ARM (tested on a BBB) are distributed in
+libreboot\_util. Alternatively, libreboot also distributes flashrom
+source code which can be built.
+
+Log in as root on your BBB, using the instructions in
+[bbb\_setup.html\#bbb\_access](bbb_setup.html#bbb_access).
+
+Test that flashrom works:\
+\# **./flashrom -p linux\_spi:dev=/dev/spidev1.0,spispeed=512**\
+In this case, the output was:
+
+ flashrom v0.9.7-r1854 on Linux 3.8.13-bone47 (armv7l)
+ flashrom is free software, get the source code at http://www.flashrom.org
+ Calibrating delay loop... OK.
+ Found Macronix flash chip "MX25L6405(D)" (8192 kB, SPI) on linux_spi.
+ Found Macronix flash chip "MX25L6406E/MX25L6436E" (8192 kB, SPI) on linux_spi.
+ Found Macronix flash chip "MX25L6445E/MX25L6473E" (8192 kB, SPI) on linux_spi.
+ Multiple flash chip definitions match the detected chip(s): "MX25L6405(D)", "MX25L6406E/MX25L6436E", "MX25L6445E/MX25L6473E"
+ Please specify which chip definition to use with the -c <chipname> option.
+
+How to backup factory.rom (change the -c option as neeed, for your flash
+chip):\
+\# **./flashrom -p linux\_spi:dev=/dev/spidev1.0,spispeed=512 -r
+factory.rom**\
+\# **./flashrom -p linux\_spi:dev=/dev/spidev1.0,spispeed=512 -r
+factory1.rom**\
+\# **./flashrom -p linux\_spi:dev=/dev/spidev1.0,spispeed=512 -r
+factory2.rom**\
+Note: the **-c** option is not required in libreboot\'s patched
+flashrom, because the redundant flash chip definitions in *flashchips.c*
+have been removed.\
+Now compare the 3 images:\
+\# **sha512sum factory\*.rom**\
+If the hashes match, then just copy one of them (the factory.rom) to a
+safe place (on a drive connected to another system, not the BBB). This
+is useful for reverse engineering work, if there is a desirable
+behaviour in the original firmware that could be replicated in coreboot
+and libreboot.
+
+Follow the instructions at
+[../hcl/gm45\_remove\_me.html\#ich9gen](../hcl/gm45_remove_me.html#ich9gen)
+to change the MAC address inside the libreboot ROM image, before
+flashing it. Although there is a default MAC address inside the ROM
+image, this is not what you want. **Make sure to always change the MAC
+address to one that is correct for your system.**
+
+Now flash it:\
+\# **./flashrom -p linux\_spi:dev=/dev/spidev1.0,spispeed=512 -w
+path/to/libreboot/rom/image.rom -V**
+
+![](images/x200/disassembly/0015.jpg)
+
+You might see errors, but if it says **Verifying flash\... VERIFIED** at
+the end, then it\'s flashed and should boot. If you see errors, try
+again (and again, and again); the message **Chip content is identical to
+the requested image** is also an indication of a successful
+installation.
+
+Example output from running the command (see above):
+
+ flashrom v0.9.7-r1854 on Linux 3.8.13-bone47 (armv7l)
+ flashrom is free software, get the source code at http://www.flashrom.org
+ Calibrating delay loop... OK.
+ Found Macronix flash chip "MX25L6405(D)" (8192 kB, SPI) on linux_spi.
+ Reading old flash chip contents... done.
+ Erasing and writing flash chip... FAILED at 0x00001000! Expected=0xff, Found=0x00, failed byte count from 0x00000000-0x0000ffff: 0xd716
+ ERASE FAILED!
+ Reading current flash chip contents... done. Looking for another erase function.
+ Erase/write done.
+ Verifying flash... VERIFIED.
+
+[Back to top of page.](#pagetop)
+
+</div>
+
+<div id="paste" class="section photos">
+
+Thermal paste (IMPORTANT)
+=========================
+
+Because part of this procedure involved removing the heatsink, you will
+need to apply new paste. Arctic MX-4 is ok. You will also need isopropyl
+alcohol and an anti-static cloth to clean with.
+
+When re-installing the heatsink, you must first clean off all old paste
+with the alcohol/cloth. Then apply new paste. Arctic MX-4 is also much
+better than the default paste used on these systems.
+
+![](images/t400/paste.jpg)
+
+NOTE: the photo above is for illustration purposes only, and does not
+show how to properly apply the thermal paste. Other guides online detail
+the proper application procedure.
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
+
+Wifi
+====
+
+The T500 typically comes with an Intel wifi chipset, which does not work
+without proprietary software. For a list of wifi chipsets that work
+without proprietary software, see
+[../hcl/\#recommended\_wifi](../hcl/#recommended_wifi).
+
+Some T500 laptops might come with an Atheros chipset, but this is
+802.11g only.
+
+It is recommended that you install a new wifi chipset. This can only be
+done after installing libreboot, because the original firmware has a
+whitelist of approved chips, and it will refuse to boot if you use an
+\'unauthorized\' wifi card.
+
+The following photos show an Atheros AR5B95 being installed, to replace
+the Intel chip that this T500 came with:\
+![](images/t400/0012.jpg) ![](images/t400/ar5b95.jpg)
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
+
+WWAN
+====
+
+If you have a WWAN/3G card and/or sim card reader, remove them
+permanently. The WWAN-3G card has DMA, and proprietary firmware inside;
+the technology is identical to what is used in mobile phones, so it can
+also track your movements.
+
+Not to be confused with wifi (wifi is fine).
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section photos">
+
+Memory
+======
+
+You need DDR3 SODIMM PC3-8500 RAM installed, in matching pairs
+(speed/size). Non-matching pairs won\'t work. You can also install a
+single module (meaning, one of the slots will be empty) in slot 0.
+
+Make sure that the RAM you buy is the 2Rx8 density.
+
+[This page](http://www.forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=760721) might
+be useful for RAM compatibility info (note: coreboot raminit is
+different, so this page might be BS)
+
+The following photo shows 8GiB (2x4GiB) of RAM installed:\
+![](images/t400/memory.jpg)
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section photos">
+
+Boot it!
+--------
+
+You should see something like this:
+
+![](images/t500/0062.jpg)
+
+Now [install GNU+Linux](../gnulinux/).
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
+
+Copyright © 2015 Leah Rowe &lt;info@minifree.org&gt;\
+Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
+under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
+International license or any later version published by Creative
+Commons; A copy of the license can be found at
+[../cc-by-sa-4.0.txt](../cc-by-sa-4.0.txt)
+
+Updated versions of the license (when available) can be found at
+<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode>
+
+UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT
+POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND
+AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND
+CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY,
+OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE,
+MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT,
+ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE
+OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF
+WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT
+APPLY TO YOU.
+
+TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU
+ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR
+OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
+PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES
+ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN
+IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES,
+COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT
+ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
+
+The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above
+shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most
+closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.
+
+</div>