[REQUEST] Lenovo X220 (8DETxxWW) Whitelist Removal

[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

[johnmcdonnell]

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

Hi skx. Yes, the installation tool that Lenovo provides with their bootable CD iso image here and Windows BIOS update utility here (WINUPTP.EXE) is what prevents rolling back the BIOS to a previous version. The installation tool included with the modified BIOS does not prevent rolling back.

If you want to flash the modified BIOS without installing Windows or bothering with the modifications to use Linux, there's a procedure described here that allows you to do it from a bootable Windows PE USB.

Hope this helps!