1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
|
---
title: Flashing the T400 with a BeagleBone Black
...
Initial flashing instructions for T400.
This guide is for those who want libreboot on their ThinkPad T400 while
they still have the original Lenovo BIOS present. This guide can also be
followed (adapted) if you brick your T400, to know how to recover.
An
["HMM"](https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/43y6629_05.pdf#page=386)
(Hardware Maintenance Manual) detailing the process of \[dis\]assembly
is available for this model. Be careful when reassembling the laptop as
the screws on page 114 (with title "1130 Keyboard bezel") are swapped
and if you follow the HMM you will punch a hole through the bezel in the
upper right corner.
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.
A note about CPUs
=================
[ThinkWiki](http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T400) has a list of
CPUs for this system. The Core 2 Duo P8400, P8600 and P8700 are believed
to work in libreboot.
T9600, T9500, T9550 and T9900 are all compatible, as reported by users.
Quad-core CPUs
--------------
Very likely to be compatible, but requires hardware modification.
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.
- [Coreboot mailing list post](https://mail.coreboot.org/pipermail/coreboot/2016-November/082463.html)
- [German forum post about install Core Quad on T500](https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/199129)
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).
Flash chip size {#flashchips}
===============
Use this to find out:
# flashrom -p internal
MAC address {#macaddress}
===========
Refer to [mac\_address.md](../hardware/mac_address.md).
Initial BBB configuration
=========================
Refer to [bbb\_setup.md](bbb_setup.md) 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, placing them in the order that you removed them:\
 
Remove those three screws then remove the rear bezel:\
 
 
Remove the speakers:\
 
 
Remove the wifi:\
 
Remove this cable:\
 
 
Unroute those antenna wires:\
 
 
Remove the LCD assembly:\
 
 
 
 
Disconnect the NVRAM battery:\
Disconnect the fan:\
Unscrew these:\
 
 
Unscrew the heatsink, then lift it off:\
 
Disconnect the power jack:\
 
Loosen this:\
Remove this:\
 
 
Unscrew these:\
 
Remove this:\
 
Unscrew this:\
Remove the motherboard (the cage is still attached) from the right hand
side, then lift it out:\
 
Remove these screws, placing the screws in the same layout and marking
each screw hole (so that you know what ones to put the screws back into
later):  
 
 
Separate the motherboard:\
 
Connect your programmer, then connect GND and 3.3V\
 
 
 
A dedicated 3.3V PSU was used to create this guide, but at ATX PSU is
also fine:\
Of course, make sure to turn on your PSU:\
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 needed, 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
[../hardware/gm45\_remove\_me.html\#ich9gen](../hardware/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
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.
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.
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.
Wifi
====
The T400 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
[../hardware/\#recommended\_wifi](../hardware/#recommended_wifi).
Some T400 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 T400 came with:\
 
WWAN
====
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.
Not to be confused with wifi (wifi is fine).
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:\
Boot it!
--------
You should see something like this:
 
Now [install GNU+Linux](../gnulinux/).
Copyright © 2015 Leah Rowe <info@minifree.org>\
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License Version 1.3 or any later
version published by the Free Software Foundation
with no Invariant Sections, no Front Cover Texts, and no Back Cover Texts.
A copy of this license is found in [../fdl-1.3.md](../fdl-1.3.md)
|
