lc-coreboot/x230/README.md

# Skulls - [Thinkpad X230](https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-x-series-laptops/thinkpad-x230).

![seabios_bootmenu](front.jpg)

## Latest release (config overview and version info)
* coreboot-x230 0.0.5 - see our [release page](https://github.com/merge/coreboot-x230/releases)
* The only proprietary binary, the VGA BIOS is executed in "secure" mode ([PCI_OPTION_ROM_RUN_YABEL](https://www.coreboot.org/Coreboot_Options))

### coreboot
* We simply take coreboot's current state in it's master branch at the time we build a release image.
That's the preferred way to use coreboot. The git revision we use is always included in the release.

### Intel microcode
* revision `1f` from 2018-02-07 see package [20180312](https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27591) under [Intel's license](LICENSE.microcode)

### SeaBIOS
* version [1.11.1](https://seabios.org/Releases) from 2018-03-19

## table of contents
* [TL;DR](#tl-dr)
* [Flashing for the first time](#flashing-for-the-first-time)
* [How to flash](#how-to-flash)
* [Why does this work](#why-does-this-work)

## TL;DR
For first-time flashing, remove the keyboard and palmrest, and (using a
Raspberry Pi with a SPI 8-pin chip clip connected), run
`flashrom_rpi_bottom_unlock.sh` on the lower chip
and `flashrom_rpi_top_write.sh` on the top chip of the two.

For updating later, run `prepare_internal_flashing.sh`. No need to disassemble.

And always use the latest [released](https://github.com/merge/coreboot-x230/releases)
package. This will be tested. The git master
branch is _not_ meant to be stable. Use it for testing only.

## Flashing for the first time
* Especially for the first time, you must flash externally. See below for the details
for using a Rapberry Pi, for example.
* Make sure you have RAM that uses 1,5V, not 1,35V. Check the specification of
your RAM module(s).

### original update / EC firmware (optional)
Before flashing coreboot, consider doing one original Lenovo upgrade process
in case you're not running the latest version. This is not supported anymore,
once you're running coreboot (You'd have to manually flash back your backup
images first, see later chapters).

Also, this updates the BIOS _and_ Embedded Controller (EC) firmware. The EC
is not updated anymore, when running coreboot. The latest EC version is 1.14
and that's unlikely to change.

In case you're not running the latest BIOS version, either

* use [the latest original CD](https://support.lenovo.com/at/en/downloads/ds029188) and burn it, or
* use the same, only with a patched EC firmware that allows using any battery:

#### Disable the battery validation check
By default, only original Lenovo batteries are allowed.
Thanks to [this](http://zmatt.net/unlocking-my-lenovo-laptop-part-3/)
[project](https://github.com/eigenmatt/mec-tools) we can use Lenovo's bootable
upgrade image, change it and create a bootable _USB_ image, with an EC update
that allows us to use any 3rd party aftermarket battery:


	sudo apt-get install build-essential git mtools libssl-dev
	git clone https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec && cd thinkpad-ec
	make patch_disable_keyboard clean
	make patch_enable_battery clean
	make patched.x230.img


That's it. You can create a bootable USB stick: `sudo dd if=patched.x230.img of=/dev/sdx`
and boot from it. Alternatively, burn `patched.x230.iso` to a CD. And make sure
you have "legacy" boot set, not "UEFI" boot.

### required hardware
* An 8 Pin SOIC Clip, for example from
[Pomona electronics](https://www.pomonaelectronics.com/products/test-clips/soic-clip-8-pin)
or alternatively hooks, for example from
[E-Z-Hook](http://catalog.e-z-hook.com/viewitems/test-hooks/e-z-micro-hooks-single-hook-style)
* 6 [female](https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/37783/how-can-i-create-a-female-jumper-wire-connector)
[jumper wires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_wire) to connect the clip to
a hardware flasher
* a hardware flasher
[supported by flashrom](https://www.flashrom.org/Flashrom/0.9.9/Supported_Hardware#USB_Devices)
but we currently only support using a Raspberry Pi

### flashrom chip config
We (or our scripts) use [flashrom](https://flashrom.org/) for flashing. Run
`flashrom -p <your_hardware>` (for [example](#how-to-flash)
`flashrom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0,spispeed=128` for the
Raspberry Pi) to let flashrom detect the chip.
It will probably list a few you need to choose from when flashing
(by adding `-c <chipname>`). Please review the chip model for your device.
In case you are unsure what to specify, here's some examples we find out there:

#### 4MB chip
* `MX25L3206E` seems to mostly be in use

#### 8MB chip
* `MX25L6406E/MX25L6408E` is used in [this guide](https://github.com/mfc/flashing-docs/blob/master/walkthrough%20for%20flashing%20heads%20on%20an%20x230.md#neutering-me)
* `MX25L3206E/MX25L3208E` is seen working with various X230 models.
* `EN25QH64` is used sometimes


### ifd unlock and me_cleaner: the 8MB chip
The Intel Management Engine resides on the 8MB chip (at the bottom, closer to
you). We don't need to touch it
for coreboot-upgrades in the future, but to enable internal flashing, we need
to unlock it once.
We run [ifdtool](https://github.com/coreboot/coreboot/tree/master/util/ifdtool)
and, while we are at it, [me_cleaner](https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner) on it:

We support using a RPi, see below for the connection details.
Move the release-tarball to the RPi (USB Stick or however) and unpack it
(to the current directory and change into it):


	mkdir tarball_extracted
	tar -xf <tarball>.tar.xz -C tarball_extracted
	cd tarball_extracted


And finally unlock the 8M chip by using the included script (be patient). Again,
this doesn't replace much; it reads the original, unlocks and flashes back:


	sudo ./flashrom_rpi_bottom_unlock.sh -m -c <chipname> -k <backup.bin>


That's it. Keep the backup safe.


#### background (just so you know)
* The `-m` option above also runs `me_cleaner -S` before flashing back.
* The `-l` option will (re-)lock your flash ROM, in case you want to force
yourself (and others) to hardware-flashing externally.
* If you don't use a RPi, change the flashrom programmer to your needs.This
is roughly what's going on:


      flashrom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0,spispeed=128 -c "MX25L6406E/MX25L6408E" -r ifdmegbe.rom
      flashrom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0,spispeed=128 -c "MX25L6406E/MX25L6408E" -r ifdmegbe2.rom
      diff ifdmegbe.rom ifdmegbe2.rom
      git clone https://github.com/corna/me_cleaner.git && cd me_cleaner
      ./me_cleaner.py -S -O ifdmegbe_meclean.rom ifdmegbe.rom
      ifdtool -u ifdmegbe_meclean.rom
      flashrom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0,spispeed=128 -c "MX25L6406E/MX25L6408E" -w ifdmegbe_meclean.rom.new


### BIOS: the 4MB chip
(internally, memory of the two chips is mapped together, the 8MB being the lower
part, but we can essientially ignore that). Again, using a RPi is supported
here. We assume you have the unpacked release tarball ready, see above. Use
the following included script:


	sudo ./flashrom_rpi_top_write.sh -i x230_coreboot_seabios_<hash>_top.rom -c <chipname> -k <backup>


That's it. Keep the backup safe.

## How to flash
When __upgrading__ to a new release, only the "upper" 4MB chip has to be written
and any of the following examples are possible. Otherwise you cannot use
"internal" flashing and please read
[flashing for the first time](#flashing-for-the-first-time).

### Example: internal
* Only for _updating_! You have to have your 8MB chip flashed externally using
our `flashrom_rpi_bottom_unlock.sh` script (`ifdtool -u`) before this, once
* very convenient: just install flashrom on your X230 but according to the
[flashrom manpage](https://manpages.debian.org/stretch/flashrom/flashrom.8.en.html)
this is very dangerous!
* Boot Linux with the `iomem=relaxed` boot parameter (for example set in /etc/default/grub)
* download the latest release tarball (4MB "top" BIOS image is included) and extract it
* run `prepare_internal_flashing.sh` for generating all necessary files and instructions


### Example: Raspberry Pi 3
Here you'll flash externally, using a "Pomona 5250 8-pin SOIC test clip". You'll find
one easily. Remove the 7 screws to remove the keyboard (by pushing it towards the
screen before lifting) and the palmrest. You'll find the chips using the photo
below. This is how the SPI connection looks on both chips:


		Screen (furthest from you)
			     __
		  MOSI  5 --|  |-- 4  GND
		   CLK  6 --|  |-- 3  N/C
		   N/C  7 --|  |-- 2  MISO
		   VCC  8 --|__|-- 1  CS

		   Edge (closest to you)


We run [Raspbian](https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/)
and have the following setup
* [Serial connection](https://elinux.org/RPi_Serial_Connection) using a
"USB to Serial" UART Adapter and picocom or minicom (yes, in this case you
need a second PC connected to the RPi over UART)
* in the SD Cards's `/boot/config.txt` file `enable_uart=1` and `dtparam=spi=on`
* [For flashrom](https://www.flashrom.org/RaspberryPi) we put `spi_bcm2835`
and `spidev` in /etc/modules
* [Connect to a wifi](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/wireless/wireless-cli.md)
or ethernet to `sudo apt-get install flashrom`
* connect the Clip to the Raspberry Pi 3 (there are
[prettier images](https://github.com/splitbrain/rpibplusleaf) too:


		   Edge of pi (furthest from you)
		               (UART)
		 L           GND TX  RX                           CS
		 E            |   |   |                           |
		 F +---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
		 T |  x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x  |
		   |  x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x  |
		 E +----------------------------------^---^---^---^-------------------------------^--+
		 D                                    |   |   |   |                               |
		 G                                   3.3V MOSIMISO|                              GND
		 E                                 (VCC)         CLK
		   Body of Pi (closest to you)


Now copy our release tarball over to the Rasperry Pi.
One way to copy, is convertig it to ascii using
`uuencode` (part of Debian's sharutils package) described below. This is a
direct, shady and slow way to transfer a file. Use a USB
Stick or scp instead. :) (but you need even more hardware or a network).


		(convert)
	host$ uuencode <tarball> <tarball>.ascii > <tarball>.ascii
		(transfer)
	rpi$ cat > <tarball>.ascii
	host$ pv <tarball>.ascii > /dev/ttyUSBX
		(wait)
	rpi$ (CTRL-D)
		(convert back)
	rpi$ uudecode -o <tarball> <tarball>.ascii
		(verify)
	host$ sha1sum <tarball>
	rpi$ sha1sum <tarball>

Unpack it:


	mkdir tarball_extracted
	tar -xf <tarball> -C tarball_extracted
	cd tarball_extracted


![Raspberry Pi at work](rpi_clip.jpg)

Connect the SPI clip to the "top" chip, and run:


	sudo ./flashrom_rpi_top_write.sh -i x230_coreboot_seabios_<hash>_top.rom -c <chipname>


That's it.

#### background (just so you know)
* Connecting an ethernet cable as a power-source for SPI (instead of the VCC pin)
  is not necessary (some other flashing how-to guides mention this).
  Setting a fixed (and low) SPI speed for flashrom offeres the same stability.
  Our scripts do this for you.

## Why does this work?
On the X230, there are 2 physical "BIOS" chips. The "upper" 4MB
one holds the actual bios we can generate using coreboot, and the "lower" 8MB
one holds the rest that you can [modify yourself once](#flashing-for-the-first-time),
if you like, but strictly speaking, you
[don't need to touch it at all](https://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x230#Building_Firmware).
What's this "rest"?
Mainly a tiny binary used by the Ethernet card and the Intel Management Engine.