Make photos for T500/W500 (nobody wants to disassemble one)
Provide generic description of what's missing/what's has to be changed
https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/199129-Core2-Quad-mit-Coreboot-Libreboot-auf-T500-(-wahrsch-auch-T400)-benutzen-BETA
FSB mod:
https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/182146
Links above describe some of the things, but implement mods in worst possible way that **damage board in pretty much irreparable way**
* Add note that's it's too dangerous https://notabug.org/libreboot/libreboot/commit/7c16f800dbafecd031e76cb88757290da7b56359
* Make photos for T400 (Swift has dead one)
* Make photos for T500/W500 (nobody wants to disassemble one)
* Provide generic description of what's missing/what's has to be changed
The ROMs that are supplied by libreboot don't work with quad core cpus. I found out that in the kconfig file, the maximum number of CPUs is set to 2.
I changed the number to 4, built the ROM and flashed it -> Quad core works. I used the original VGA-BIOS, SeaBIOS as payload and activated microcode updates. I only tested it using intel graphics and not intel + ATI.
With this ROM it's possible to boot Linux and Windows 7 using a quad core. Suspend-To-RAM works too. There are still some problems:
Keyboard doesn't work in SeaBIOS (works in the OS)
Wakeup of Suspend-To-RAM takes long under Windows 7 (sometimes it doesn't work)
Clock doesn't work under Windows 7
Installation of Windows 7 using a DVD doesn't work, needs to be already installed on the HDD (didn't test Linux installation)
probably more
The clock works under Linux and it seems to work way better than Windows.
The last libreboot version was released on 18.5.2015. Coreboot is four versions ahead. I think that it will work better on the next libreboot versions.
I created the ROMs directly from the last coreboot version. Wakeup from Suspend-To-RAM doesn't seem to work. On the libreboot page for the X200 it says, that coreboot and libreboot initialize the RAM differently. Which could be the reason why wakeup from Suspend-To-RAM doesn't work on coreboot. The X200 and T400 have nearly the same code. The code for the T400 and T500 are 100% identical. Everything described here should work for the T400 too. This should also work on the R500 and R400.
The procedure is identical to the T61, only the mod for 1066 MHz FSB isn't needed.
The procedure:
1. Isolate the CPU pins
Pins D8, AA7, AA8, AC8 and AE8 need to be isolated. I used a thin cable to isolate the pins. I used a tweezer to put the "tubes" on the pins.
You can also use a diagonal cutter to remove the pins.
The isolated pins are now larger. You need to enlarge the holes of the appropriate pins. To avoid wood chippings in the socket and damaging the contacts, I unhooked the socket and placed a small wooden panel under the socket. I used a 1mmm drill to enlarge the holes.
DON'T DRILL THE HOLES WITHOUT UNHOOKING THE SOCKET.
Core2 CPUs for the T500 have a pin GTLREF which needs to contact with 0.63* VCC1R05B. Lenovo does that on the W700 (which ships with Core2 Quads) using a potential divider with two resistors (2k and 1k). On quad cores a second pin D22 exists, which is reserved on dual cores. This pin also needs to contact with 0,63*VCC1R05B.
To contact pin D22 with 0,63*VCC1R05B you need to solder a cable from GTLREF (pin AD26) to GTLREF_2 (pin D22). The cable should be as short as possible.
Read the BIOS-Chip using an external flasher. This is the backup of the Lenovo BIOS. Now download the modified libreboot ROM: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9bsfvbdtye77ke2/Libreboot_T500_Quad_V1.rom?dl=1 (EDIT 17.06.2017: new coreboot ROM for T400 and T500 microcodes, original VGA-BIOS and SeaBIOS payload https://www.dropbox.com/s/85e5wqxw3tjmjo2/Coreboot_T400_T500_Quad_V2.rom?dl=1). Flash it using an external flasher. Now you should be able to boot Linux and Windows using Core2 Quad CPUs. Some T500 come with a 4Mb Chip instead of 8Mb, those need a different ROM, which I didn't generate because I don't own one.
I translated the German instructions to English.
I will probably try this mod on my T500 (maybe T400 too) in summer 2018.
The post is from 05.06.2016:
I first tried this quadcore-mod https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/172581 on my T500(https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/169412?p=1709451&viewfull=1#post1709451), unfortunately it didn't work because of the BIOS(https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/172581).
The ROMs that are supplied by libreboot don't work with quad core cpus. I found out that in the kconfig file, the maximum number of CPUs is set to 2.
I changed the number to 4, built the ROM and flashed it -> Quad core works. I used the original VGA-BIOS, SeaBIOS as payload and activated microcode updates. I only tested it using intel graphics and not intel + ATI.
With this ROM it's possible to boot Linux and Windows 7 using a quad core. Suspend-To-RAM works too. There are still some problems:
- Keyboard doesn't work in SeaBIOS (works in the OS)
- Wakeup of Suspend-To-RAM takes long under Windows 7 (sometimes it doesn't work)
- Clock doesn't work under Windows 7
- Installation of Windows 7 using a DVD doesn't work, needs to be already installed on the HDD (didn't test Linux installation)
- probably more
The clock works under Linux and it seems to work way better than Windows.
The last libreboot version was released on 18.5.2015. Coreboot is four versions ahead. I think that it will work better on the next libreboot versions.
I created the ROMs directly from the last coreboot version. Wakeup from Suspend-To-RAM doesn't seem to work. On the libreboot page for the X200 it says, that coreboot and libreboot initialize the RAM differently. Which could be the reason why wakeup from Suspend-To-RAM doesn't work on coreboot. The X200 and T400 have nearly the same code. The code for the T400 and T500 are 100% identical. Everything described here should work for the T400 too. This should also work on the R500 and R400.
The procedure is identical to the T61, only the mod for 1066 MHz FSB isn't needed.
### The procedure: ###
**1. Isolate the CPU pins**
Pins D8, AA7, AA8, AC8 and AE8 need to be isolated. I used a thin cable to isolate the pins. I used a tweezer to put the "tubes" on the pins.
You can also use a diagonal cutter to remove the pins.
http://abload.de/img/quadcore-pinsy1dm5.jpg
**2. Enlarge the holes in the socket**
The isolated pins are now larger. You need to enlarge the holes of the appropriate pins. To avoid wood chippings in the socket and damaging the contacts, I unhooked the socket and placed a small wooden panel under the socket. I used a 1mmm drill to enlarge the holes.
DON'T DRILL THE HOLES WITHOUT UNHOOKING THE SOCKET.
There are two different sockets, a white and a black one. Images how to unhook the socket are here: https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/172581-Anleitung-FSB-1066-CPUs-inkl-Core-2-Quad-in-Thinkpad-T61-benutzen-GPU-undervolten?p=1776639&viewfull=1#post1776639
http://abload.de/img/bild3mns98.jpg
T500 socket with modifications:
http://abload.de/img/sockelt6126e71.jpg
**3. Modifying the mainboard**
Core2 CPUs for the T500 have a pin GTLREF which needs to contact with 0.63* VCC1R05B. Lenovo does that on the W700 (which ships with Core2 Quads) using a potential divider with two resistors (2k and 1k). On quad cores a second pin D22 exists, which is reserved on dual cores. This pin also needs to contact with 0,63*VCC1R05B.
To contact pin D22 with 0,63*VCC1R05B you need to solder a cable from GTLREF (pin AD26) to GTLREF_2 (pin D22). The cable should be as short as possible.
http://abload.de/img/gtlref-fryppy-neu45avr.jpg
http://abload.de/img/cimg202656uj2.jpg
Now you can place the quad core CPU into the socket.
http://abload.de/img/t61-board-mit-quadvheui.jpg
The CPU should now be shown in the Lenovo BIOS.
http://abload.de/img/bild8yss96.jpg
Booting an OS is only possible if you disable "core multiprocessing"
http://abload.de/img/bild95hstz.jpg
To solve this problem, you need coreboot.
**4. Backup Lenovo BIOS and flash coreboot**
Read the BIOS-Chip using an external flasher. This is the backup of the Lenovo BIOS. Now download the modified libreboot ROM: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9bsfvbdtye77ke2/Libreboot_T500_Quad_V1.rom?dl=1 (EDIT 17.06.2017: new coreboot ROM for T400 and T500 microcodes, original VGA-BIOS and SeaBIOS payload https://www.dropbox.com/s/85e5wqxw3tjmjo2/Coreboot_T400_T500_Quad_V2.rom?dl=1). Flash it using an external flasher. Now you should be able to boot Linux and Windows using Core2 Quad CPUs. Some T500 come with a 4Mb Chip instead of 8Mb, those need a different ROM, which I didn't generate because I don't own one.
http://abload.de/img/cimg2025gysur.jpg
The MAC address of your LAN adapter is inside the ROM. You need to change it using ich9gen: https://libreboot.org/docs/hcl/gm45_remove_me.html#ich9gen https://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x200
I did this mod too, though I did things slightly differently.
Instead of drilling the holes out on the socket bigger, I broke off the required pins on the CPU. I found that a mechanical pencil with metal tip works great to fit around the pins and wiggle them back and forth to break them.
Other than that, the rest of the mod is the same, with the wire that's soldered on. We need to get the coreboot revision for [WT][45]00 up to latest (or simply apply the patch https://github.com/coreboot/coreboot/commit/ccc042b8216752dd6c8181ec94003921b86d9a25 ), since the version in the stable release will only initialize 2 CPUs.
I will post pictures when I have a chance (probably later tonight). If we were to add this to the site, where would it go?
We also need to figure out the correct way to not light the whole thing on fire. Currently my CPU is running at 100C under full load. I will try some things with copper pieces to try to improve heat transfer between the CPU and the heat pipes, and use a thermocouple to see where things are getting hot.
I did this mod too, though I did things slightly differently.
Instead of drilling the holes out on the socket bigger, I broke off the required pins on the CPU. I found that a mechanical pencil with metal tip works great to fit around the pins and wiggle them back and forth to break them.
Other than that, the rest of the mod is the same, with the wire that's soldered on. We need to get the coreboot revision for [WT][45]00 up to latest (or simply apply the patch https://github.com/coreboot/coreboot/commit/ccc042b8216752dd6c8181ec94003921b86d9a25 ), since the version in the stable release will only initialize 2 CPUs.
I will post pictures when I have a chance (probably later tonight). If we were to add this to the site, where would it go?
We also need to figure out the correct way to not light the whole thing on fire. Currently my CPU is running at 100C under full load. I will try some things with copper pieces to try to improve heat transfer between the CPU and the heat pipes, and use a thermocouple to see where things are getting hot.
I've been working on this mod for some time with my T500 with ATI/Intel dual graphics and have come to the understanding that the display does not initialize with the mod, although it may be that both my Q9100's (SLB5G) that I have are both DOA. My solder bridge is identical to the image seen above. Wire used is this one. My dual core chips still post with Lenovo bios as well as libreboot.
I don't have any way to verify this though. I'm really at a loss and was wondering if anyone with dual graphics has had this mod work. I might have to purchase another quad core chip to see if these two quad core chips are the problem.
I've been working on this mod for some time with my T500 with ATI/Intel dual graphics and have come to the understanding that the display does not initialize with the mod, although it may be that both my Q9100's (SLB5G) that I have are both DOA. My solder bridge is identical [to the image seen above](https://i.imgur.com/Eai5m3M.jpg). Wire used is [this one.] (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3165) My dual core chips still post with Lenovo bios as well as libreboot.
I don't have any way to verify this though. I'm really at a loss and was wondering if anyone with dual graphics has had this mod work. I might have to purchase another quad core chip to see if these two quad core chips are the problem.
im about to get a w500 with dual graphics to try this out, but im not sure if it will work, i have a r500 with bad motherbaord with intel graphics wich i will replace the board with a w500 one, because of the ati graphics, and of course a q9100 ftw
im about to get a w500 with dual graphics to try this out, but im not sure if it will work, i have a r500 with bad motherbaord with intel graphics wich i will replace the board with a w500 one, because of the ati graphics, and of course a q9100 ftw
Taeniotes: I can confirm that the T500 with ATI/Intel dual graphics board works with quad-core CPUs. I think you always have to use the text mode version instead of the vesafb version though.
Taeniotes: I can confirm that the T500 with ATI/Intel dual graphics board works with quad-core CPUs. I think you always have to use the text mode version instead of the vesafb version though.
I'm planning doing this mod on my T400, I'm so serious that I already bought a Q9100 for the project. I have two questions... I really need to use Windows 10 (or at least 7) on this machine, Linux is sadly not an option for me in this case. How reliable will Windows be with SeaBIOS on this machine? My second questions is that... Has anyone compiled a newer ROM for this quad core mod (other than https://www.dropbox.com/s/85e5wqxw3tjmjo2/Coreboot_T400_T500_Quad_V2.rom?dl=1)?
I'm planning doing this mod on my T400, I'm so serious that I already bought a Q9100 for the project. I have two questions... I really need to use Windows 10 (or at least 7) on this machine, Linux is sadly not an option for me in this case. How reliable will Windows be with SeaBIOS on this machine? My second questions is that... Has anyone compiled a newer ROM for this quad core mod (other than https://www.dropbox.com/s/85e5wqxw3tjmjo2/Coreboot_T400_T500_Quad_V2.rom?dl=1)?
Swift Geek
https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/199129-Core2-Quad-mit-Coreboot-Libreboot-auf-T500-(-wahrsch-auch-T400)-benutzen-BETA
FSB mod: https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/182146
Links above describe some of the things, but implement mods in worst possible way that damage board in pretty much irreparable way
7c16f800dbhttps://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/197014
further link posted by consts in the channel, for the FSB mod
Are there any instructions in English?
I translated the German instructions to English. I will probably try this mod on my T500 (maybe T400 too) in summer 2018.
The post is from 05.06.2016:
I first tried this quadcore-mod https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/172581 on my T500(https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/169412?p=1709451&viewfull=1#post1709451), unfortunately it didn't work because of the BIOS(https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/172581).
The ROMs that are supplied by libreboot don't work with quad core cpus. I found out that in the kconfig file, the maximum number of CPUs is set to 2.
I changed the number to 4, built the ROM and flashed it -> Quad core works. I used the original VGA-BIOS, SeaBIOS as payload and activated microcode updates. I only tested it using intel graphics and not intel + ATI.
With this ROM it's possible to boot Linux and Windows 7 using a quad core. Suspend-To-RAM works too. There are still some problems:
The clock works under Linux and it seems to work way better than Windows.
The last libreboot version was released on 18.5.2015. Coreboot is four versions ahead. I think that it will work better on the next libreboot versions.
I created the ROMs directly from the last coreboot version. Wakeup from Suspend-To-RAM doesn't seem to work. On the libreboot page for the X200 it says, that coreboot and libreboot initialize the RAM differently. Which could be the reason why wakeup from Suspend-To-RAM doesn't work on coreboot. The X200 and T400 have nearly the same code. The code for the T400 and T500 are 100% identical. Everything described here should work for the T400 too. This should also work on the R500 and R400.
The procedure is identical to the T61, only the mod for 1066 MHz FSB isn't needed.
The procedure:
1. Isolate the CPU pins
Pins D8, AA7, AA8, AC8 and AE8 need to be isolated. I used a thin cable to isolate the pins. I used a tweezer to put the "tubes" on the pins.
You can also use a diagonal cutter to remove the pins.
http://abload.de/img/quadcore-pinsy1dm5.jpg
2. Enlarge the holes in the socket
The isolated pins are now larger. You need to enlarge the holes of the appropriate pins. To avoid wood chippings in the socket and damaging the contacts, I unhooked the socket and placed a small wooden panel under the socket. I used a 1mmm drill to enlarge the holes.
DON'T DRILL THE HOLES WITHOUT UNHOOKING THE SOCKET.
There are two different sockets, a white and a black one. Images how to unhook the socket are here: https://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/172581-Anleitung-FSB-1066-CPUs-inkl-Core-2-Quad-in-Thinkpad-T61-benutzen-GPU-undervolten?p=1776639&viewfull=1#post1776639
http://abload.de/img/bild3mns98.jpg
T500 socket with modifications:
http://abload.de/img/sockelt6126e71.jpg
3. Modifying the mainboard
Core2 CPUs for the T500 have a pin GTLREF which needs to contact with 0.63* VCC1R05B. Lenovo does that on the W700 (which ships with Core2 Quads) using a potential divider with two resistors (2k and 1k). On quad cores a second pin D22 exists, which is reserved on dual cores. This pin also needs to contact with 0,63*VCC1R05B.
To contact pin D22 with 0,63*VCC1R05B you need to solder a cable from GTLREF (pin AD26) to GTLREF_2 (pin D22). The cable should be as short as possible.
http://abload.de/img/gtlref-fryppy-neu45avr.jpg
http://abload.de/img/cimg202656uj2.jpg
Now you can place the quad core CPU into the socket.
http://abload.de/img/t61-board-mit-quadvheui.jpg
The CPU should now be shown in the Lenovo BIOS.
http://abload.de/img/bild8yss96.jpg
Booting an OS is only possible if you disable "core multiprocessing"
http://abload.de/img/bild95hstz.jpg
To solve this problem, you need coreboot.
4. Backup Lenovo BIOS and flash coreboot
Read the BIOS-Chip using an external flasher. This is the backup of the Lenovo BIOS. Now download the modified libreboot ROM: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9bsfvbdtye77ke2/Libreboot_T500_Quad_V1.rom?dl=1 (EDIT 17.06.2017: new coreboot ROM for T400 and T500 microcodes, original VGA-BIOS and SeaBIOS payload https://www.dropbox.com/s/85e5wqxw3tjmjo2/Coreboot_T400_T500_Quad_V2.rom?dl=1). Flash it using an external flasher. Now you should be able to boot Linux and Windows using Core2 Quad CPUs. Some T500 come with a 4Mb Chip instead of 8Mb, those need a different ROM, which I didn't generate because I don't own one.
http://abload.de/img/cimg2025gysur.jpg
The MAC address of your LAN adapter is inside the ROM. You need to change it using ich9gen: https://libreboot.org/docs/hcl/gm45_remove_me.html#ich9gen https://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x200
I did this mod too, though I did things slightly differently.
Instead of drilling the holes out on the socket bigger, I broke off the required pins on the CPU. I found that a mechanical pencil with metal tip works great to fit around the pins and wiggle them back and forth to break them. Other than that, the rest of the mod is the same, with the wire that's soldered on. We need to get the coreboot revision for [WT][45]00 up to latest (or simply apply the patch https://github.com/coreboot/coreboot/commit/ccc042b8216752dd6c8181ec94003921b86d9a25 ), since the version in the stable release will only initialize 2 CPUs.
I will post pictures when I have a chance (probably later tonight). If we were to add this to the site, where would it go?
We also need to figure out the correct way to not light the whole thing on fire. Currently my CPU is running at 100C under full load. I will try some things with copper pieces to try to improve heat transfer between the CPU and the heat pipes, and use a thermocouple to see where things are getting hot.
I've been working on this mod for some time with my T500 with ATI/Intel dual graphics and have come to the understanding that the display does not initialize with the mod, although it may be that both my Q9100's (SLB5G) that I have are both DOA. My solder bridge is identical to the image seen above. Wire used is this one. My dual core chips still post with Lenovo bios as well as libreboot.
I don't have any way to verify this though. I'm really at a loss and was wondering if anyone with dual graphics has had this mod work. I might have to purchase another quad core chip to see if these two quad core chips are the problem.
im about to get a w500 with dual graphics to try this out, but im not sure if it will work, i have a r500 with bad motherbaord with intel graphics wich i will replace the board with a w500 one, because of the ati graphics, and of course a q9100 ftw
Taeniotes: I can confirm that the T500 with ATI/Intel dual graphics board works with quad-core CPUs. I think you always have to use the text mode version instead of the vesafb version though.
I'm planning doing this mod on my T400, I'm so serious that I already bought a Q9100 for the project. I have two questions... I really need to use Windows 10 (or at least 7) on this machine, Linux is sadly not an option for me in this case. How reliable will Windows be with SeaBIOS on this machine? My second questions is that... Has anyone compiled a newer ROM for this quad core mod (other than https://www.dropbox.com/s/85e5wqxw3tjmjo2/Coreboot_T400_T500_Quad_V2.rom?dl=1)?