5.7 KiB
Protectli Vault FW6 series
This page describes how to run coreboot on the Protectli FW6.
Required proprietary blobs
To build a minimal working coreboot image some blobs are required (assuming only the BIOS region is being modified).
+-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
| Binary file | Apply | Required / Optional |
+=================+=================================+=====================+
| FSP-M, FSP-S | Intel Firmware Support Package | Required |
+-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
| microcode | CPU microcode | Required |
+-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
| vgabios | VGA Option ROM | Optional |
+-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
FSP-M and FSP-S are obtained after splitting the Kaby Lake FSP binary (done
automatically by the coreboot build system and included into the image) from
the 3rdparty/fsp submodule.
Microcode updates are automatically included into the coreboot image by build
system from the 3rdparty/intel-microcode submodule.
VGA Option ROM is not required to boot, but if one needs graphics in pre-OS stage, it should be included (if not using libgfxinit).
Flashing coreboot
Internal programming
The main SPI flash can be accessed using flashrom. The first version supporting the chipset is flashrom v1.1. Firmware an be easily flashed with internal programmer (either BIOS region or full image).
External programming
The system has an internal flash chip which is a 8 MiB soldered SOIC-8 chip. This chip is located on the bottom side of the case (the radiator side). One has to remove all screws (in order): 4 top cover screws, 4 side cover screws (one side is enough), 4 mainboard screws, 4 CPU screws (under DIMMs). Lift up the mainboard and turn around it. The flash chip is near the SoC on the DIMM slots side. Use a clip (or solder the wires) to program the chip. Specifically, it's a Macronix MX25L6406E (3.3V) -datasheet.
Known issues
- After flashing with external programmer it is always required to reset RTC with jumper or disconnect coin cell temporarily. Only then the platform will boot after flashing.
- FW6A does not always work reliably with all DIMMs. Linux happens to hang or gives many panics. This issue was present also with vendor BIOS.
- Sometimes FSPMemoryInit return errors or hangs (especially with 2 DIMMs connected). A workaround is to power cycle the board (even a few times) or temporarily disconnect DIMM when platform is powered off.
- When using libgfxinit and SeaBIOS bootsplash, the red color is dim
Untested
Not all mainboard's peripherals and functions were tested because of lack of the cables or not being populated on the board case.
- Internal USB 2.0 headers
- Boot with cleaned ME
Working
- USB 3.0 front ports (SeaBIOS and Linux)
- 6 Ethernet ports
- HDMI port with libgfxinit and VGA Option ROM
- flashrom
- PCIe WiFi
- SATA and mSATA
- Super I/O serial port 0 (RS232 via front RJ45 connector)
- SMBus (reading SPD from DIMMs)
- Initialization with KBL FSP 2.0 (with MemoryInit issues)
- SeaBIOS payload (version rel-1.12.1)
- Mini PCIe debug card connected to mSATA (mSATA slot has LPC signals routed)
- Reset switch
- Booting Debian, Ubuntu, FreeBSD
Technology
There are 3 variants of FW6 boards: FW6A, FW6B and FW6C. They differ only in used SoC.
- FW6A:
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| CPU | Intel Celeron 3865U |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| PCH | Kaby Lake U w/ iHDCP2.2 Base |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| Super I/O, EC | ITE IT8772E |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| Coprocessor | Intel Management Engine |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
- FW6B:
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| CPU | Intel Core i3-7100U |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| PCH | Kaby Lake U w/ iHDCP2.2 Premium |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| Super I/O, EC | ITE IT8772E |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| Coprocessor | Intel Management Engine |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
- FW6C:
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| CPU | Intel Core i5-7200U |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| PCH | Kaby Lake U w/ iHDCP2.2 Premium |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| Super I/O, EC | ITE IT8772E |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
| Coprocessor | Intel Management Engine |
+------------------+--------------------------------------------------+