whitelist-removed BIOS for new T520 wifi card

[tpdude4]

I recently bought an Intel 6300 wifi card (pulled from a non-Lenovo machine) that I'd like to install on my T520. As expected, my initial attempt led to the common 1802 error (unauthorized wifi card etc).

From the reading I've done, the most likely way this could be resolved is via flashing a whitelist-removed BIOS -- specifically one of the following:
1) the one mentioned by Serg008 here, which directs to this file. The BIOS file is apparently named T520_1.39 (8AET59WW)-8auj20us__WL.rar
2) the one mentioned by BDMaster on this page, which directs to this file. This BIOS file is apparently named ThinkPad_T520_T520i_8auj26us_8AET65WW_ADV_NWL.rar
(Following the links on this thinkwiki page led to dead-ends, i.e. those BIOS files on app.box are apparently no longer available.)

...Given the risk of bricking the board, before I try one of these mods, can anyone *confirm* that one (or both) of them has definitely worked on their T520/i?

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

I would pick the Serg008 file any time! (I have used his mods on many other Thinkpads)
And I have seen too many fumbles from that BDMaster.

[hhhd1]

I have used this before:
ThinkPad_T520_T520i_8auj26us_8AET65WW_ADV_NWL
it also add advance menus in bios, with lots and lots of extra settings.

[tpdude4]

Many thanks to you both for the quick replies! (Replies from others who have tried either of these BIOS files would be nice too -- the more perspectives the better.)
Will post an update when I get back to trying this...

[tpdude4]

Update: I got around to trying this using the Serg008 file and it worked like a charm! Feels great to now have a fully equipped, lovely T520.

[MikalE]

I signed up for an account there, but the download link doesn't appear to do anything when you click on it.

I need this whitelist BIOS too.

[MikalE]

I would pick the Serg008 file any time! (I have used his mods on many other Thinkpads)
And I have seen too many fumbles from that BDMaster.

Can you e-mail me that file please?

[GACrabill]

Can you e-mail me that file please?

From the original post :
"1) the one mentioned by Serg008 here, which directs to this file."

Link :
https://www.sendspace.com/file/u4m5lr

[MikalE]

Thank you very much. I got it that time. I do not know why the other links do not work.

I will have to check on the latest BIOS I updated to. I don't know if I can roll back after updating to 1.46.

[MikalE]

This is part of the release notes for the 1.46 BIOS update from Lenovo. I don't think I'm going to be able to roll back to 1.39. Or is this stating that I can't update some kind of security function if I do roll back?

Do I have to load the normal 1.39 BIOS version before attempting to load the whitelist version, or can I attempt to install the 1.39 version right over the 1.46 version without bricking the machine?

CHANGES IN THIS RELEASE
Version 1.46

[Important updates]
Security fix addresses LEN-8324 System Management Mode (SMM) BIOS Vulnerability.
(Note)
If the UEFI BIOS has been updated to version 1.46 or higher, it is no longer
able to roll back to the version before 1.46 for security improvement.

[MikalE]

Serge had me create a batch file within the Modified BIOS folder as we couldn't get the original BIOS file to run. I guess because I had already upgraded to v.1.46. I don't know, but he was able to help me.

The Intel Ultimate 6300N card showed up, I installed it, the machine booted and I hooked up a Cat 5 cable to get the drivers. It's running great and it connects immediately after coming out of sleep. No more connection lag!

One question I have is upon POST the machine beeps five short beeps, pauses, and beeps five short beeps again. Is this an indication to a Lenovo service tech that the BIOS has been tampered with?
The machine runs completely normal as it did before except for the POST beeps.

[RealBlackStuff]

Those beeps can be disabled in BIOS/Security/SecurityChip.
If you don't use TPM set it to "Inactive".
If you use Client Security Solutions (CSS) you'll lose some capabilities.

[MikalE]

Thanks. I had forgotten about that.

I can't get over the performance of this card.

[maaaaan]

Hi guys, I see you have a solution for the T520 with the latest BIOS (v1.4x) installed. I tried it, since the file is still online, but it did not accept my current configuration. "BIOS Image file does not match this system"

Can someone help me install the patched BIOS on my T520 so i can use my Intel Centrino adv-N 6205? Your help would be much appreciated!

[RealBlackStuff]

This is the included INFO in that .rar:

-Model: Lenovo Thinkpad T520
-Bios Version: 1.39 (8AET58WW)
-BIOS Type : UEFI
-Bios SLIC : 2.1
-Bios Download Link: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... uj20us.exe


Modded with Phoenix SLIC Mod 2.02
Mod method: WLAN WhiteList check removed

Modified Bios:

$01C9100.FL1 - v1.39 (8AET59WW) bios

Flash from Windows. Original (non modified) bios should be flashed at first, then after reboot flash modified bios
(run WINUPTP.EXE /s as Administrator).


(or, copy $01C9100.FL1 from 8AET59WW folder to folder with winflash.exe,
rename $01C9100.FL1 to BIOS_WL.FL1 ,
rename WINFLASH_2.INI to WINFLASH.INI and
run flash.bat as Administrator)

Veel geluk ermee!