GNU Boot – ThinkPad X200

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# Introduction

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It is believed that all X200 laptops are compatible. X200S and X200 Tablet will also work, depending on the configuration.

It may be possible to put an X200 motherboard in an X201 chassis, though this is currently untested by the libreboot project. The same may also apply between X200S and X201S; again, this is untested. It’s most likely true.

There are two possible flash chip sizes for the X200: 4MiB (32Mbit) or 8MiB (64Mbit). This can be identified by the type of flash chip below the palmrest: 4MiB is SOIC-8, 8MiB is SOIC-16.

The X200 laptops come with the ME (and sometimes AMT in addition) before flashing libreboot. Libreboot disables and removes it by using a modified descriptor: see ../install/ich9utils.html (contains notes, plus instructions)

Flashing instructions can be found at ../install/#flashrom

# EC update

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It is recommended that you update to the latest EC firmware version. The EC firmware is separate from libreboot, so we don’t actually provide that, but if you still have Lenovo BIOS then you can just run the Lenovo BIOS update utility, which will update both the BIOS and EC version. See:

- ../install/#flashrom
- http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/BIOS_update_without_optical_disk
- X200, X200s, X200si BIOS Update
- X200t BIOS Update

NOTE: this can only be done when you are using Lenovo BIOS. How to update the EC firmware while running libreboot is unknown. Libreboot only replaces the BIOS firmware, not EC.

Updated EC firmware has several advantages e.g. better battery handling.

# Battery Recall

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On 21 April 2015, Lenovo expanded a recall on Lenovo batteries found in some ThinkPad models, which includes the X200 and X200S. To find out if you are affected, use this Lenovo tool. Lenovo advises that owners of the recalled models “should turn off the system, remove the battery, and only power your ThinkPad by plugging in the AC adapter and power cord.” Upon battery verification, Lenovo will replace recalled batteries free of charge. Battery replacement instructions for the X200/X200s are found on this page.

## Compatibility (without blobs)

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### Hardware virtualization (vt-x)

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The X200, when run without CPU microcode updates in coreboot, currently kernel panics if running QEMU with vt-x enabled on 2 cores for the guest. With a single core enabled for the guest, the guest panics (but the host is fine). Working around this in QEMU might be possible; if not, software virtualization should work fine (it’s just slower).

On GM45 hardware (with libreboot), make sure that the kvm and kvm_intel kernel modules are not loaded, when using QEMU.

The following errata datasheet from Intel might help with investigation: http://download.intel.com/design/mobile/specupdt/320121.pdf

Anecdotal reports from at least 1 user suggests that some models with CPU microcode 1067a (on the CPU itself) might work with vt-x in libreboot.

## LCD compatibility list

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LCD panel list (X200 panels listed there): http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/TFT_display

All LCD panels for the X200, X200S and X200 Tablet are known to work.

The X200 Tablet has a screen rotation button on its bezel. Depending on the operating system it might or might not rotate the screen, the digitizer (stylus), or the trackpoint accordingly. Utilities are provided to fix this at resources/utilities/x200t-screen-rotation in the libreboot git repository.

### AFFS/IPS panels

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#### X200

Adapted from https://github.com/bibanon/Coreboot-ThinkPads/wiki/ThinkPad-X200

Look at wikipedia for difference between TN and IPS panels. IPS have much better colour/contrast than a regular TN, and will typically have good viewing angles.

These seem to be from the X200 tablet. You need to find one without the glass touchscreen protection on it (might be able to remove it, though). It also must not have a digitizer on it (again, might be possible to just simply remove the digitizer).

- BOE-Hydis HV121WX4-120, HV121WX4-110 or HV121WX4-100 - cheap-ish, might be hard to find

- Samsung LTN121AP02-001 - common to find, cheap

If your X200 has an LED backlit panel in it, then you also need to get an inverter and harness cable that is compatible with the CCFL panels. To see which panel type you have, see #led_howtotell. If you need the inverter/cable, here are part numbers: 44C9909 for CCFL LVDS cable with bluetooth and camera connections, and 42W8009 or 42W8010 for the inverter.

There are glossy and matte versions of these. Matte means anti-glare, which is what you want (in this authors opinion).

Refer to the HMM (hardware maintenance manual) for how to replace the screen.

Sources:

- ThinkPad Forums - Matte AFFS Panel on X200
- ThinkPad Forums - Parts for X200 AFFS Mod
- ThinkWiki.de - X200 Displayumbau

### X200S

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http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=618928#p618928 explains that the X200S screens/assemblies are thinner. You need to replace the whole lid with one from a normal X200/X201.

## How to tell if it has an LED or CCFL?

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Some X200s have a CCFL backlight and some have an LED backlight, in their LCD panel. This also means that the inverters will vary, so you must be careful if ever replacing either the panel and/or inverter. (a CCFL inverter is high-voltage and will destroy an LED backlit panel).

CCFLs contain mercury. An X200 with a CCFL backlight will (unless it has been changed to an LED, with the correct inverter. Check with your supplier!) say the following: “This product contains Lithium Ion Battery, Lithium Battery and a lamp which contains mercury; dispose according to local, state or federal laws” (one with an LED backlit panel will say something different).

## Hardware register dumps

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The coreboot wiki shows how to collect various logs useful in porting to new boards. Following are outputs from the X200:

- BIOS 3.15, EC 1.06
  - hwdumps/x200/

Markdown file for this page: https://gnu.org/software/gnuboot/docs/hardware/x200.md