[REQUEST] Lenovo X220 (8DETxxWW) Whitelist Removal

[ValdikSS]

There is a new BIOS available for the X220, version 1.46 - https://support.lenovo.com/pl/en/downloads/ds018805. The changes are related to the Spectre (v3a and v4) security risk. May I ask for the unlock of this BIOS version? Many thanks

This package contains 2 BIOS modifications for Lenovo ThinkPad X220 laptop.

** Lenovo X220 v1.46 Modified Bios (no whitelist only) **

- Whitelist removal only
- Re-signed with custom key to get rid of 5 beeps on boot

** Lenovo X220 v1.46 Modified Bios (full-blown) **

- Whitelist removal
- Unlocked AES-NI on "no-encryption" machines
- Unlocked hidden advanced menu
- Unlocked memory speed (supports DDR3 1600 and 1866)
- Disabled package c-state lock at MSR 0xE2 (for Hackintosh)
- Re-signed with custom key to get rid of 5 beeps on boot


https://files.catbox.moe/9dt19z.7z
https://my.mixtape.moe/hduebg.7z
https://a.safe.moe/fAhaWog.7z
http://dl.asis.io/AGrynCdp.7z
https://u.teknik.io/ZwJOA.7z

[tinybeaver]

Wow, that was fast! Thank you very much ValdikSS

[johnmcdonnell]

Thanks again for your work on this, ValdikSS.
I did encounter one problem: when installing the "full-blown" version 1.46 the Advanced menu does not seem to be unlocked.

[ValdikSS]

Thanks again for your work on this, ValdikSS.
I did encounter one problem: when installing the "full-blown" version 1.46 the Advanced menu does not seem to be unlocked.

Indeed, my fault. Reuploaded.

[johnmcdonnell]

Indeed, my fault. Reuploaded.

Working perfectly now. Thanks again!

[skx]

Indeed, my fault. Reuploaded.

Working perfectly now. Thanks again!

Can I ask how the latest bios is performing, knowing that Spectre fixes were included? Any noticeable downgrade on CPU performance? I am really breaking my head whether to stay vulnerable on performing bios or being less vulnerable on latest bios with downgraded performance. Knowing that our precious X220's are becoming old... thanks all for your feedback.

[johnmcdonnell]

Can I ask how the latest bios is performing, knowing that Spectre fixes were included? Any noticeable downgrade on CPU performance?

I haven't noticed any performance issues since updating to v1.46.

For what it's worth, there's a comparison here of the Geekbench results with my X220 under BIOS v1.43 and v1.46 showing essentially no difference in performance.

[skx]

I haven't noticed any performance issues since updating to v1.46.

For what it's worth, there's a comparison here of the Geekbench results with my X220 under BIOS v1.43 and v1.46 showing essentially no difference in performance.

Thank you, wonderful news. I am still on bios 1.40, latest version allowing downgrading to older version. Does this modified bios keep the downgrading functionality? Thanks

[johnmcdonnell]

Does this modified bios keep the downgrading functionality? Thanks

It is the official Lenovo BIOS installers that prevent rolling back to a previous version. It is always possible to roll back by opening a command prompt (cmd.exe) as administrator and running the Flash.bat file included with the modified BIOS installers.

[skx]

It is the official Lenovo BIOS installers that prevent rolling back to a previous version. It is always possible to roll back by opening a command prompt (cmd.exe) as administrator and running the Flash.bat file included with the modified BIOS installers.

Thank you johnmcdonnell. I am a linux (debian) user, for the initial flash I will put a win 7 hdd inside my X220. Just for my good understanding, when I flash my bios via linux I modify the official CD image to have it booting via usb and I flash it accordingly. What do you mean with the offical Lenovo BIOS installer? Is this the tool which is auto loaded when launching the bios flashing from CD? Thanks