225 lines
8.8 KiB
Markdown
225 lines
8.8 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
title: Flashing the ThinkPad T400 externally
|
|
x-toc-enable: true
|
|
...
|
|
|
|
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).
|
|
|
|
How to flash externally
|
|
=========================
|
|
|
|
Refer to [spi.md](spi.md) as a guide for external re-flashing.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Refer to the external flashing instructions [here](spi.md), and when you're
|
|
done, re-assemble your laptop.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Memory
|
|
======
|
|
|
|
In DDR3 machines with Cantiga (GM45/GS45/PM45), northbridge requires sticks
|
|
that will work as PC3-8500 (faster PC3/PC3L sticks can work as PC3-8500).
|
|
Non-matching pairs may not work. Single module (meaning, one of the slots
|
|
will be empty) will currently only work in slot 0.
|
|
|
|
NOTE: according to users reports, non matching pairs (e.g. 1+2 GiB) might
|
|
work in some cases.
|
|
|
|
Make sure that the RAM you buy is the 2Rx8 configuration when buying 4GiB sticks
|
|
(In other words: maximum of 2GiB per rank, 2 ranks per card).
|
|
|
|
[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/).
|