Thinkpad X380 Yoga supervisor password removal + Intel ME removal question

[Badpatch02]

Hi all, I'm new here, a few words about myself: CS student, interested in hardware stuff too - tinkering my whole life but with practically no experience when it comes to firmware "hacking".

So I have this X380 Yoga with a supervisor password in place and before doing anything stupid I figured I'd rather ask.
I plan on using the tool from this thread: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...emoval?t=87588

Seems straightforward but I don't see anywhere mentioned if this is done via a hardware programmer or can be done software-wise.
Neither is anywhere written which pin I'd have to connect on the memory chip if it's done with a hardware programmer.
Is a Raspberry PI capable of doing that? I mean it can interface SPI?

I have read the FAQs but I'm still not totally sure if a BIOS dump is done via a piece of software or otherwise?

I know that I should rather do my own research, but I want to avoid making a mistake and would be very grateful if somebody could take the time to write down the process with a few more steps to at least point me in the right direction.

The seconds goal I'd like to achieve is minimzing the Intel ME to a minimum - I know that there are tools out there but I haven't seen somebody confirming if it works with the X380 Yoga.
Has anybody here done that?

Thanks in advance and please excuse if I haven't done enough research.

[Ulises Viña]

I have a ThinkPad X380 Yoga that I tried to put a WWAN modem on (Fibocom L830-EB), this modem is supposed to be supported on the laptop (even the FRU P/N matches with Lenovo's part list), but the system wouldn't boot, saying there was an unauthorized network card installed. I tried patching the BIOS to remove the whitelist, but I just ended up bricking it.

Even after flashing my original dump, my machine refuses to boot. I know it's a valid dump because I've checked in UEFITool, and I've already tried replacing the BIOS region on the firwmare using ifdtool, the machine just doesn't boot.

For context, I'd like to add that the first time I tried patching the BIOS (when it did work), I desoldered the SPI chip because my programmer's clips weren't attaching, but now I have new clips that work. I suspect the fact that I desoldered the chip has something to do with it not working now, but I can also confirm the chip is properly soldered in the board (I checked a bunch of times to see if that was it; it wasn't). I have also checked the voltages in the SPI chip and they all seem correct. At this point, I just want to get the laptop working again and don't care about the WWAN modem anymore.

[peste]

post merged..

[peste]

I have a ThinkPad X380 Yoga that I tried to put a WWAN modem on (Fibocom L830-EB), this modem is supposed to be supported on the laptop (even the FRU P/N matches with Lenovo's part list), but the system wouldn't boot, saying there was an unauthorized network card installed. I tried patching the BIOS to remove the whitelist, but I just ended up bricking it.

Even after flashing my original dump, my machine refuses to boot. I know it's a valid dump because I've checked in UEFITool, and I've already tried replacing the BIOS region on the firwmare using ifdtool, the machine just doesn't boot.

For context, I'd like to add that the first time I tried patching the BIOS (when it did work), I desoldered the SPI chip because my programmer's clips weren't attaching, but now I have new clips that work. I suspect the fact that I desoldered the chip has something to do with it not working now, but I can also confirm the chip is properly soldered in the board (I checked a bunch of times to see if that was it; it wasn't). I have also checked the voltages in the SPI chip and they all seem correct. At this point, I just want to get the laptop working again and don't care about the WWAN modem anymore.

post S/N, full name and model, motherboard model, etc.



post the contents of the bios chip even if it is corrupted..

[Ulises Viña]

My BIOS dump can be found here:
The S/N of my machine is MP1GVNSF, and it's a ThinkPad X380 Yoga type 20LJ. The model of my motherboard is LA-F421P rev. 1 date 2017-10-26.

[Stefan Steff]

My BIOS dump can be found here:
The S/N of my machine is MP1GVNSF, and it's a ThinkPad X380 Yoga type 20LJ. The model of my motherboard is LA-F421P rev. 1 date 2017-10-26.

Try this dump with Fibocom L830-EB card inserted

[Ulises Viña]

Try this dump with Fibocom L830-EB card inserted

I tried it with and without the WWAN card installed. No luck.
The machine doesn't boot (nothing on screen, keyboard doesn't react to any combinations) but (as before) the backlight turns on and off when doing a power cycle.

[Stefan Steff]

I tried it with and without the WWAN card installed. No luck.
The machine doesn't boot (nothing on screen, keyboard doesn't react to any combinations) but (as before) the backlight turns on and off when doing a power cycle.

OK, let take step by step.
This dump has the latest BIOS from Lenovo site.
Try and write a feedback.
And be patient, Lenovos take long time on first boot after changing BIOS.

[Ulises Viña]

OK, let take step by step.
This dump has the latest BIOS from Lenovo site.
Try and write a feedback.
And be patient, Lenovos take long time on first boot after changing BIOS.

Same result as before, I left it for >30 minutes. Power LED stays on, CPU feels warm but nothing on screen or keyboard.