This video was made over 2 years ago and has become dated in certain areas. A viewer has reached out to me with an updated written guide. Please check it out, it might be able to assist you. www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/1db1gmu/lenovo_t440p_with_tianocore_edk_2_build_guide/ If enough people request it, I will make an updated video!
Would this method also work on a W540? From what I've read they have a similar motherboard, but i cant find any detailed coreboot documentation on the W540.
nice video, I have been looking for a video like this for a while also I think libreboot and osboot merged recently, and now libreboot supports T440p, their build system automatically builds and configures the rom for you, i think it also downloads and fetches the necessary blobs from the bios update tool
I connected soic clip before the USB was connected and soon smelt burning. The battery was removed and obviously power adapter removed. I couldn't flash Bios as second LED was dim or not lit at all. My laptop won't start. Any suggestions?
yeah you can use a 5v flasher. Ignore all guides saying not to, it cannot damage the eeeprom chip, it's literally impossible. In some cases it may fail or take a couple tries but you will never dmg the chip
@@natcafe people used the 5v for years on everything, then some redditor got scared 3.3v chips would be damaged, it became a fiasco but was always misinfo and there's a very knowledgeable professional here on YT who laughs when people mention if a 5v can ruin a 3.3v chip and tells them no. It's always worked for me too, just stripped a t440p down but forgot I don't have a ptm pad so I'll flash it later when I chip swap
Is there another alternative? Alternative that is only with commands in ubuntu for example, without having to interact so much with hardware disassembling the equipment as you did in the video?
no, but the flasher is only ten dollars, and if you get an x230 you only need to take off the trackpad and keyboard to reach the bios chip, which is just disconnected from screws on the bottom of the laptop. you wouldn't have to do any major disassembly. after you flash coreboot you can flash other roms internally through flashrom without opening anything
no it can be a desktop, laptop, and if it is running windows or linux or any linux version it literally does not matter. Your second question I don't understand at all but flashrom is running as a program inside of the terminal all you have to do is hook up to the pc you are flashing, you will need to specify where to place certain files and where for it to take and use the bios you want. Doing this is confusing the first time but extremely easy the second time and beyond. I was successful doing it to my first machine, I've done 4 now
@escapetherace1943 no worries, I was able to do alot more research into the process and understand it better. What I meant by the second question was is there a program or executable within the programmer that I run, or if I needed to download or run a command in terminal, answer is of course flashrom l
@@mitchclover258 ah yes, simply download flashrom, follow your guide because it differs between models you are corebooting as you probably need to build files, flash and enjoy. Of course after making backups of the originals just in case you are unable to get it going. In my case I see zero reason to ever put the old bioses back so once I no longer need them I delete them, simple 👍
@@mitchclover258 yeah but I believe on a 440p the Intel shit is still running even on a low level, it's just neutered to do nothing. If you want it 100% gone I believe it's only possible on an x60 or older
The process shown in the video replaces the proprietary BIOS from Lenovo with a free and open source BIOS called coreboot. For the average person there is little to no benefit but for FOSS advocates and security conscious individuals this could be beneficial.
@@averageChoom I’d run an EC battery patch first. Update the ME firmware second. Run the IFD unlock third. Then you don’t need to use the chip clip again. Build your payload and flash away. If you’re just looking to get your toe wet, you might wanna start with 1vyrain jailbreak before jumping into the deep end. At least with 1vyrain, you’ll still be able to segue into coreboot down the road when confident. (Also, if you want to run a hackintosh, 1vyrain is the way to go. You’ll need to re-enable ME to boot it).
In the config file you tell it to run ME_Cleaner and that will remove most of the code and only allow the bare minimum of required code to run during the boot process. During normal operation it will be disabled.
Quick question… yeah the clip I used, sucks. I can’t get it to hold… So buying a Ponoma. While I’m at it I figure I’ll wire it with other than those cheap aluminum wires 30cm long. Can I just use 10cm female female breadboard cords? Also thanks, I actually never hear to plug the programmer in after clipping. Is it likely to damage it if I had it opposite (trying to readjust hoping to get a solid connection) ?
Yes, that is exactly what I am using is 10cm female to female jumper wires. Some people have had problems using the longer wires It is mainly a safety precaution. If you try to put on the clip on while it is powered and say the clip is not aligned properly there is the chance that voltage might go down the wrong pin. Make sure to locate the dot on the chip and that tells you where pin 1 is located. Make sure that pin 1 on the clip is going to pin 1 on the chip. In my experience the cheap clips have a single red wire along with a bunch of grey wires. The red wire is pin 1. I hope that helps!
@@DeviceCastingCouchTechPodcast Thanks! So I see a set on amazon.. Chanzon... used them before building led lights, not awful not amazing- but those are what Im after? Never used these to be honest. It looks almost like they dont need soldered on? Oh jeez, well fingers crossed I didnt fry that board! Hey I appreciate the response.
./ifdtool -x ~/t4/t440p_original_ROM.bin File /home/user/t4/t440p_original_ROM.bin is 12582912 bytes Flash Region 0 (Flash Descriptor): 00000000 - 00000fff Flash Region 1 (BIOS): 00000000 - 00000fff Flash Region 2 (Intel ME): 00d93000 - 00e21fff Error while writing: Success Flash Region 3 (GbE): 00c72000 - 00c15fff (unused) Flash Region 4 (Platform Data): 00b8c000 - 00fe7fff Error while writing: Success Interesting. In my case the Flash Region 3 is (unused) and in your video it is Flash region 4 that is unused. Do you know why? I will proceed and see if I can get it to work anyway.
This video was made over 2 years ago and has become dated in certain areas. A viewer has reached out to me with an updated written guide. Please check it out, it might be able to assist you. www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/1db1gmu/lenovo_t440p_with_tianocore_edk_2_build_guide/
If enough people request it, I will make an updated video!
Would this method also work on a W540? From what I've read they have a similar motherboard, but i cant find any detailed coreboot documentation on the W540.
nice video, I have been looking for a video like this for a while
also I think libreboot and osboot merged recently, and now libreboot supports T440p, their build system automatically builds and configures the rom for you, i think it also downloads and fetches the necessary blobs from the bios update tool
This is the exact video I needed. Thanks!!!
I connected soic clip before the USB was connected and soon smelt burning. The battery was removed and obviously power adapter removed. I couldn't flash Bios as second LED was dim or not lit at all. My laptop won't start. Any suggestions?
Did you have to modify your flasher to use 3.3V or only some flashers need to be modded?
i finally used regular unmodded ch341a on t440p and everything is fine if anyone cares
@@natcafe Thank you for your update! 🙂
yeah you can use a 5v flasher. Ignore all guides saying not to, it cannot damage the eeeprom chip, it's literally impossible. In some cases it may fail or take a couple tries but you will never dmg the chip
did multiple other t440ps and optiplexes 9020 since then, everything is fine :^)
@@natcafe people used the 5v for years on everything, then some redditor got scared 3.3v chips would be damaged, it became a fiasco but was always misinfo and there's a very knowledgeable professional here on YT who laughs when people mention if a 5v can ruin a 3.3v chip and tells them no.
It's always worked for me too, just stripped a t440p down but forgot I don't have a ptm pad so I'll flash it later when I chip swap
I bought a T440p and got no idea on how to install libreboot. Is it the same process as in this video?
You can't install Libreboot, it only supports laptops as new as the x200
Could you make a videon on how to do it on a x240 and a T530?
Thanks.
Is there another alternative? Alternative that is only with commands in ubuntu for example, without having to interact so much with hardware disassembling the equipment as you did in the video?
no, but the flasher is only ten dollars, and if you get an x230 you only need to take off the trackpad and keyboard to reach the bios chip, which is just disconnected from screws on the bottom of the laptop. you wouldn't have to do any major disassembly. after you flash coreboot you can flash other roms internally through flashrom without opening anything
does core boot support Above 4G decoding?
Does it matter what computer your connecting to the flash device? Also, when opening the terminal is it automatic from the flasher?
no it can be a desktop, laptop, and if it is running windows or linux or any linux version it literally does not matter. Your second question I don't understand at all but flashrom is running as a program inside of the terminal all you have to do is hook up to the pc you are flashing, you will need to specify where to place certain files and where for it to take and use the bios you want. Doing this is confusing the first time but extremely easy the second time and beyond. I was successful doing it to my first machine, I've done 4 now
@escapetherace1943 no worries, I was able to do alot more research into the process and understand it better. What I meant by the second question was is there a program or executable within the programmer that I run, or if I needed to download or run a command in terminal, answer is of course flashrom l
@@mitchclover258 ah yes, simply download flashrom, follow your guide because it differs between models you are corebooting as you probably need to build files, flash and enjoy. Of course after making backups of the originals just in case you are unable to get it going. In my case I see zero reason to ever put the old bioses back so once I no longer need them I delete them, simple 👍
@escapetherace1943 fr, once I confirm it runs I'm ditching them as well lmao, may that authoritarian Spyware rot in he!!
@@mitchclover258 yeah but I believe on a 440p the Intel shit is still running even on a low level, it's just neutered to do nothing. If you want it 100% gone I believe it's only possible on an x60 or older
whats the benefit of it ?
does it uses the same bios as previously installed or it's own ?
The process shown in the video replaces the proprietary BIOS from Lenovo with a free and open source BIOS called coreboot.
For the average person there is little to no benefit but for FOSS advocates and security conscious individuals this could be beneficial.
Does Coreboot allow you to bypass the WiFi card Whitelist?
From my understanding yes
yes it automatically throws the whitelist away and anything is compatible afterwards
hello, will this also work in a T430? i know its kinda dumb question.
Yes.
@@bloodbath-and-beyond ok, is there anything i should know before starting ?
@@averageChoom I’d run an EC battery patch first. Update the ME firmware second. Run the IFD unlock third. Then you don’t need to use the chip clip again. Build your payload and flash away.
If you’re just looking to get your toe wet, you might wanna start with 1vyrain jailbreak before jumping into the deep end.
At least with 1vyrain, you’ll still be able to segue into coreboot down the road when confident.
(Also, if you want to run a hackintosh, 1vyrain is the way to go. You’ll need to re-enable ME to boot it).
@@bloodbath-and-beyond thanks brother ive just ran my first rom in qemu im bout to make the real payload, let's see if i brick this thing.
@@averageChoom good luck!
what are the red orange and blue wires in the m2 slot for?
I believe they are additional antenna wires so you could hook up like a WWAN card.
Great video. I presume this also works for the t440s as it is the same haswell chipset?
This device uses cpus (there are several iCore versions) that use ME.
How much of ME does this approach remove?
In the config file you tell it to run ME_Cleaner and that will remove most of the code and only allow the bare minimum of required code to run during the boot process. During normal operation it will be disabled.
Would installing Coreboot also get rid of the battery whitelist?
Coreboot removes all whitelists so battery, WiFi card, etc.
please use more tinier font next time
Thanks
Used the guide ran arch linux,cant downgrade flahsrom,connected it to the chip and got this message"Read is not working on this chip. Aborting."
wew
Good video, but it completely skips half of the disassembly which includes removing the top cover and keyboard.
VERY NİCE BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
🏳🌈
Yawn, this video needs to have some spinning or something.
Idk how to make a corebooting guide exciting haha. Geek appeal only
Quick question… yeah the clip I used, sucks. I can’t get it to hold…
So buying a Ponoma.
While I’m at it I figure I’ll wire it with other than those cheap aluminum wires 30cm long.
Can I just use 10cm female female breadboard cords?
Also thanks, I actually never hear to plug the programmer in after clipping. Is it likely to damage it if I had it opposite (trying to readjust hoping to get a solid connection) ?
@@joshtree8298 haha I’m just teasing. I love these videos, you could consider me a top fan
Yes, that is exactly what I am using is 10cm female to female jumper wires. Some people have had problems using the longer wires
It is mainly a safety precaution. If you try to put on the clip on while it is powered and say the clip is not aligned properly there is the chance that voltage might go down the wrong pin.
Make sure to locate the dot on the chip and that tells you where pin 1 is located. Make sure that pin 1 on the clip is going to pin 1 on the chip. In my experience the cheap clips have a single red wire along with a bunch of grey wires. The red wire is pin 1.
I hope that helps!
@@DeviceCastingCouchTechPodcast Thanks! So I see a set on amazon.. Chanzon... used them before building led lights, not awful not amazing- but those are what Im after? Never used these to be honest. It looks almost like they dont need soldered on?
Oh jeez, well fingers crossed I didnt fry that board!
Hey I appreciate the response.
Update needed. Doesnt work anymore.
I put coreboot on another T440p a few months ago and it worked. I do remember I had to change one command. What step are you having issues with?
./ifdtool -x ~/t4/t440p_original_ROM.bin
File /home/user/t4/t440p_original_ROM.bin is 12582912 bytes
Flash Region 0 (Flash Descriptor): 00000000 - 00000fff
Flash Region 1 (BIOS): 00000000 - 00000fff
Flash Region 2 (Intel ME): 00d93000 - 00e21fff
Error while writing: Success
Flash Region 3 (GbE): 00c72000 - 00c15fff (unused)
Flash Region 4 (Platform Data): 00b8c000 - 00fe7fff
Error while writing: Success
Interesting. In my case the Flash Region 3 is (unused) and in your video it is Flash region 4 that is unused. Do you know why? I will proceed and see if I can get it to work anyway.
I'm not sure but they both look like they are the GbE. Did everything else build properly?