T60 - Modified BIOS & x64 CPU questions

[CicadaCool]

Hello everyone,

For a while now I have wanted to run a GNU/Linux-Libre distro on my T60. The OS needs an x86_64 processor, and I have purchased one (Core 2 Duo T7200) to swap out for my i686 processor. I'm 99% sure the new CPU will work from what I've heard, but in case there are any issues or things to look out for with the upgrade please let me know. I also have to get a modified BIOS so I can swap out the WiFi card. I would have just downloaded the ISO from the guide near the top of this forum called "Make your T60 with ATI run *cool* (and quiet)", but the link to the file is now unfortunately broken, and I don't want to download any bad BIOS mods, so if someone could recommend me a good one that would be helpful.

This is my first post on this forum (yes, I have read the rules), so in case I'm doing anything wrong please let me know.
Thank you in advance!

[TPFanatic]

if your T60 is a 15.4" / widescreen model, then you can find a modified BIOS linked in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=128705

if your T60 is a 4:3 model, try this one: https://www.mediafire.com/file/vj7vdqd8 ... DOS%29.zip

best

[Gonzaleitor]

if your T60 is a 4:3 model, try this one: https://www.mediafire.com/file/vj7vdqd8 ... DOS%29.zip

best

Is this BIOS only to remove the whitelist or can you also swap fn and ctrl keys?

[CicadaCool]

if your T60 is a 15.4" / widescreen model, then you can find a modified BIOS linked in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=128705

if your T60 is a 4:3 model, try this one: https://www.mediafire.com/file/vj7vdqd8 ... DOS%29.zip

best

Thanks a ton for the BIOS . I don't want to risk a brick though so I figure I should ask - have you used the 4:3 T60 BIOS mod, and if so did it work on your hardware? Thanks in advance.

[CicadaCool]

Update: The 4:3 BIOS worked! This was actually my first BIOS flash ever, so I was really afraid of a brick. I haven't tried it with a new WiFi card since I need to buy one still, but I'm updated to 2.27 (I was on 1.09a previously) so it at least flashed. boot times are a little longer but there's either a setting I forgot to turn back on after flashing or it's just because it's my second or so time booting after the flash. Or maybe that's just it, and it's a tradeoff you have to make.

Even though it worked, I can't promise it will work 100% for everyone since there are many factors that could cause a bad flash, for example there are bad blocks on the USB you are using. What I can be (mostly sure) of is that it is a working ROM, and it will flash properly if you're doing everything right.

[Gonzaleitor]

Update: The 4:3 BIOS worked! This was actually my first BIOS flash ever, so I was really afraid of a brick. I haven't tried it with a new WiFi card since I need to buy one still, but I'm updated to 2.27 (I was on 1.09a previously) so it at least flashed. boot times are a little longer but there's either a setting I forgot to turn back on after flashing or it's just because it's my second or so time booting after the flash. Or maybe that's just it, and it's a tradeoff you have to make.

Even though it worked, I can't promise it will work 100% for everyone since there are many factors that could cause a bad flash, for example there are bad blocks on the USB you are using. What I can be (mostly sure) of is that it is a working ROM, and it will flash properly if you're doing everything right.

Is this BIOS only to remove the whitelist or can you also swap fn and ctrl keys?

[CicadaCool]

Update: The 4:3 BIOS worked! This was actually my first BIOS flash ever, so I was really afraid of a brick. I haven't tried it with a new WiFi card since I need to buy one still, but I'm updated to 2.27 (I was on 1.09a previously) so it at least flashed. boot times are a little longer but there's either a setting I forgot to turn back on after flashing or it's just because it's my second or so time booting after the flash. Or maybe that's just it, and it's a tradeoff you have to make.

Even though it worked, I can't promise it will work 100% for everyone since there are many factors that could cause a bad flash, for example there are bad blocks on the USB you are using. What I can be (mostly sure) of is that it is a working ROM, and it will flash properly if you're doing everything right.

Is this BIOS only to remove the whitelist or can you also swap fn and ctrl keys?

I checked Config -> Keyboard/Mouse in the BIOS and it isn't there, so probably not. If there's somewhere else I should be looking please tell me and I'll check. Also, that thing I said about longer boot times with the mod is wrong in case anyone was wondering. I don't know why it happened the first few times but I posted that reply maybe like 5 minutes after the flash worked so I didn't know much.

[Gonzaleitor]

Is this BIOS only to remove the whitelist or can you also swap fn and ctrl keys?

I checked Config -> Keyboard/Mouse in the BIOS and it isn't there, so probably not. If there's somewhere else I should be looking please tell me and I'll check. Also, that thing I said about longer boot times with the mod is wrong in case anyone was wondering. I don't know why it happened the first few times but I posted that reply maybe like 5 minutes after the flash worked so I didn't know much.

Thanks for your answer! I guess It should be in the tab that you looked. Shame there IS no BIOS with whitelist and fn/ctrl swap.

[lazyberry1238]

Update: The 4:3 BIOS worked! This was actually my first BIOS flash ever, so I was really afraid of a brick. I haven't tried it with a new WiFi card since I need to buy one still, but I'm updated to 2.27 (I was on 1.09a previously) so it at least flashed. boot times are a little longer but there's either a setting I forgot to turn back on after flashing or it's just because it's my second or so time booting after the flash. Or maybe that's just it, and it's a tradeoff you have to make.

Even though it worked, I can't promise it will work 100% for everyone since there are many factors that could cause a bad flash, for example there are bad blocks on the USB you are using. What I can be (mostly sure) of is that it is a working ROM, and it will flash properly if you're doing everything right.

Hey, sorry to bother. i have a quick question : did you flash it using a USB or a CD img? and does it work like the Zender BIOS mod, since that's the popular mod for the T60 but i could not find it. if anyone has it or can lead me to it it'll be great.

Thanks.

[metal03326]

Hello.

I can confirm that the BIOS for the 4:3 T60 works. BUT… For some odd reason my Core 2 Duo T5600 is now recognized as a 65 nm Merom. I do not see any problems, but this is incorrect. I'm planning to order a T7600 CPU, 4 GB RAM, and an Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 WiFi card in a few days. I'm hoping there won't be any issues with the new CPU, and I'll test if the whitelist in this BIOS is indeed gone. I'll keep you posted.

PS: I couldn't find any other 4:3 modded BIOS in 2025… all other links are dead.

[dr_st]

I can confirm that the BIOS for the 4:3 T60 works. BUT… For some odd reason my Core 2 Duo T5600 is now recognized as a 65 nm Merom. I do not see any problems, but this is incorrect.

The T5600 is a 65nm Merom. Why is it incorrect?

[axur-delmeria]

What's incorrect about the Core 2 Duo T5600 being identified as a 65nm Merom? https://www.techpowerup.com/cpu-specs/c ... t5600.c378

"Merom" is simply a codename for the first-gen Core 2 mobile CPU (along with Core 2 Solo, Pentium Dual-Core and Celeron M CPUs derived from it), manufactured in Intel's 65nm process.

[metal03326]

Yeah, sorry, my bad. I thought Penryn was before Merom, but apparently I was wrong. Then I guess there is no issue with the BIOS. I'll report once I get the newer WiFi card.

PS: What is the best 5 GHz WiFi card for the T60 that supports XP? My search led me to the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235, but maybe you know something better.

[RealBlackStuff]

Atheros AR9380 / AR5BXB112

[jdwis]

if your T60 is a 15.4" / widescreen model, then you can find a modified BIOS linked in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=128705

if your T60 is a 4:3 model, try this one: https://www.mediafire.com/file/vj7vdqd8 ... DOS%29.zip

best

For T60 4:3 models, instead of creating a bootable CD (the ISO) is it possible to use the same ISO image to create a bootable USB stick and flash the BIOS ?
Will it work ?