Does the default build for T420 allow for the use of Ivy Bridge processors?

[unimichae]

The downloadable build here I mean: https://app.circleci.com/pipelines/github/linuxboot/heads/998/workflows/cb76cb16-c555-4006-bcf1-e53207de9495/jobs/26429/artifacts

If not what is the path to building a Heads that supports it?

[tlaurion]

@unimichae hello there.

Not sure I follow.

T420 and x220 are Sandy bridge based, intel 2nd generation. X230, t430 and OptiPlex are ivy bridge, 3rd intel CPU gen.

What are you looking for?

[unimichae]

It is possible, with firmware modification, for the T420 to use Ivy Bridge processors.
The socket is the same (or similar). I can find links for proof if you are uncertain.

[unimichae]

https://lite.duckduckgo.com/lite/?q=ivybridge+t420+coreboot

[tlaurion]

Oh! So ivy bridge on a t420. Didn't even knew it was possible.

You would have to use coreboot module helper to modify the board coreboot config specifying it's ivy bridge and not Sandy bridge and try to build and flash.

Local build with docker-ce. /docker_repro. sh make BOARD=EOL_t420-maximized coreboot.modify..... Until it works. Sorry for incomplete commands, look under modules/coreboot for helpers.

Hope that helps

[unimichae]

It said that coreboot with the default settings just works as long as you are using libgfxinit instead of the VBIOS, any reason this would be different for Heads?

[tlaurion]

It said that coreboot with the default settings just works as long as you are using libgfxinit instead of the VBIOS, any reason this would be different for Heads?

None if it's really the case.

I checked SANDY statements under config/coreboot-* files for x230, t420 andt430 and it seems that CPU detection is not part ok kconfig settings, ie not user configurable.

Make sure you backup stock rom properly so you can revert and don't forget to post your results. Play safe.

[unimichae]

Yeah, seems to have worked. Haven't done anything except boot into the BIOS. The shut-down after 30 seconds the LLM warned me of didn't happen.

[notgivenby]

@unimichae I used those cpu's on my t420 without any problems.