[REQUEST] Lenovo ThinkPad L420 & L520 (8GETxxWW) Whitelist Removal

[Maxinator500]

This site was given as an example, not a guide to action. There was described the process for another model.
In terms of BIOS compression, everything is good. The manuf didn't use it.
You need to truncate file to 4MB size, not 2. Then goes the code for the flasher program, which handles various data from it.

[WillingMost7]

This site was given as an example, not a guide to action. There was described the process for another model.
In terms of BIOS compression, everything is good. The manuf didn't use it.
You need to truncate file to 4MB size, not 2. Then goes the code for the flasher program, which handles various data from it.

Got the CH341A Programmer today. Just want to be sure:
I have "apl5607 pn61m" chip and "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" chip, I assume the "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" is the BIOS chip. Voltage is 3.3

Got it all right?

Edit: Apparently I got the black model which has over-voltage problem. I just ordered the newest version with a voltage switch.

[Maxinator500]

I have "apl5607 pn61m" chip and "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" chip, I assume the "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" is the BIOS chip. Voltage is 3.3

That's correct.

[WillingMost7]

I have "apl5607 pn61m" chip and "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" chip, I assume the "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" is the BIOS chip. Voltage is 3.3

That's correct.

For some reason these are the only options I get when I press on detect chip:
   

I even used the new CH341a v1.7, which has voltage control (cause I thought that with the black version the problem I only detected these is because the voltage is set to 5v, apparently not).

I use a clipper, not removing the actual chip. But it shouldn't be a problem.
Red line from the clip is on number 1 on the green board that connects with the programmer,
number 1 is facing opposite side of the USB,
it is seated on the 25XX side (closer to the USB).

I discovered just now that if I connect the laptop battery and disconnect it,
the programmer is able to recognize it is from the W25Q32 family and gives all the options with 3.3V.
I selected W25Q32BV which is my model but yet when I press read it is not working anymore.
I tried every option there and it ended up the same.
   

Any reason it would do that? As I explained everything is connected properly. I'm lost..

[WillingMost7]

I have "apl5607 pn61m" chip and "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" chip, I assume the "winbond 25032bvsig 1129" is the BIOS chip. Voltage is 3.3

That's correct.

Found this forum which elaborates a little better on chips locations of the L420.

So there are 3 chips that can contain the bios: "25q32bvsig" and "25x40bvsig". Which one would contain the BIOS and what the other one is for?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: As it seems, the "25x40bvsig" is only 512KB and the "25q32bvsig" is 4MB so it must be the "25q32bvsig".
But it just isn't able to finish the job of flashing. Farthest I've been able to do is to read, but each time I reread it shows different values and it definitely fails at erasing and writing.

[weltall900]

Hello all,

I'm definitely a newbie to BIOS mods.  I have a Lenovo L420 laptop.  It needs a Wifi adapter upgrade.  Currently it has a Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 b/g/n 112BNHMW 300Mbps Wireless Half Mini Card.  I recently purchased and tried to upgrade to a Intel Wireless-AC 7260HMW Network Card Half Mini PCIe.
I got the 1802 error, which after a bunch of google searches and youtube videos, led me to this forum.

I followed the instructions in this video: https://youtu.be/BItGfpyyHnI?si=ypPw-q3TsLAitYD9
to provide you with these files:
https://www.sendspace.com/filegroup/VuM7...gYADwcJLbg

If anyone is able to, I'd be very grateful if you could fix it so that I can install and use the new wifi adapter.  In the meantime, I've switched back to the older one.  I'd really rather not brick my laptop, so if it is a risk of doing so, should I just get one of those USB wifi adapters?  Ideally I'd not want to use that because it's a laptop for my kid and I'm sure she'll smash a USB hub sticking out of the side.  :-P

Appreciate you all, you are the unsung heroes of the internet.
Thanks

[Maxinator500]

WL removed: ThinkPad_L420_L421_L520_8GUJ17us_NWL
Look README to update.

All the time since 2013 it's been there.

[weltall900]

WL removed: ThinkPad_L420_L421_L520_8GUJ17us_NWL
Look README to update.

All the time since 2013 it's been there.

Hey there, I did see that, but the BIOS file name is different for mine.  Mine is 8GET46WW.  The one in that link is 8GUJ17us.  I'm pretty new to this and don't want to brick my laptop.  Are you sure this is the one I should be using?

[Maxinator500]

So you're not familiar with Lenovo version information system.
8GUJ17US is Package ID (the exe file version), 8GET46WW is BIOS ID, and theres another ID for EC firmware - 8GHT28WW.

Here's a proof.

[weltall900]

So you're not familiar with Lenovo version information system.
8GUJ17US is Package ID (the exe file version), 8GET46WW is BIOS ID, and theres another ID for EC firmware - 8GHT28WW.

Here's a proof.

That is correct.  I'm in over my head on this forum, but definitely trying to learn while not bricking my laptop.  So are you saying that it is okay and safe for me to use the one posted in 2013?  As mentioned, it's my daughter's laptop (she's in elementary school) and I really don't want to brick it.

The file you linked from 2013 pasted here as a reference
https://app.box.com/s/j4fffsagyzlohxmnvq6t