Gobi 2000 (60Y3183) on X200s - hacked BIOS?

[Jason404]

I just purchased a Gobi 2000 card for my X200s, and just realised that the X200s is not on the compatibility list.

I guess I would need a hacked BIOS with this card added to the whitelist? I have also read about having to tape up pin 20.

Would I have to do both of these things, or either one? Where can I get this BIOS?

I've not had to do anything like this since the no-1802 hack for my X31.

[Peak2Peak]

For details on the BIOS mod: ThinkPad BIOS whitelist (error 1802/1804) *READ 1st MSG* - The X200 is covered, but not the X200s, do not know if the X200 BIOS share's the same BIOS as the X200s. If you have installed the Gobi 2000 and it brought up the 1804 error code or is not recognised, then try taping over Pin20, to see if the card is seen and hence usable etc.

[Jason404]

While the X200 and X200s get BIOS releases together, each release seems to consist of two files:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 47#changes

So it looks like they actually use different BIOS files, while they are the same release version number.

The Gobi 2000 card I bought (FRU:60Y3183) is meant for the later X201, T401, etc.

So is this bad news for me? Or is the covering of Pin20 an alternative to using a modified BIOS?

I have bought the Gobi card, but I have not had it delivered yet. Crap!

[maloosheck]

I have the same Gobi 2000 (60Y3183) on the way for my X200t. I am quite sure we have to modify BIOS.

[rkan]

Yeah, just flash the BIOS and all will start working. Currently using HP's gobi 2000 equivalent on my X200.

[Jason404]

Well, it's good news that it will work with the modified BIOS, but it's not so great that the modified BIOS is quite an old version by the look of it.

I have still not received the Gobi card, but I should soon.

@maloosheck
Did you get yours working?

[rkan]

Well, it's good news that it will work with the modified BIOS, but it's not so great that the modified BIOS is quite an old version by the look of it.

I have still not received the Gobi card, but I should soon.

@maloosheck
Did you get yours working?

There is no reasom why any PCIEminicard would not work with a whitelist BIOS.

[maloosheck]

I have still not received the Gobi card, but I should soon.

@maloosheck
Did you get yours working?

Same situation: I am still waiting for my Gobi card. Should be any day. Than I will probably try to modify the most recent BIOS myself... Any help would be appreciated.

[Jason404]

There are some instructions linked to somewhere on this forum, from the guy who was making the modified BIOSs before, but the intructions seemed to be incomplete, as they ended with him saying that there was more to come. However, there is enough there to do it, and it did not look too difficult to do for a technically minded person. Bricking one's ThinkPad is not a risk to take too lightly though.

I would rather have the latest version on my X200s. Even though the X200 and X200s appear to share the same BIOS releases, the download comes with two BIOS files. So I suspect that they are indeed different, and I am pretty sure they are different for your X200t.

I still have not received the Gobi card I bought.

[rkan]

There are some instructions linked to somewhere on this forum, from the guy who was making the modified BIOSs before, but the intructions seemed to be incomplete, as they ended with him saying that there was more to come. However, there is enough there to do it, and it did not look too difficult to do for a technically minded person. Bricking one's ThinkPad is not a risk too take lightly though.

I would rather have the latest version on my X200s. Even though the X200 and X200s appear to share the same BIOS releases, the download comes with two BIOS files. So I suspect that they are indeed different, and I am pretty sure they are different for your X200t.

I still have not received the Gobi card I bought.

I did not understand your post completely... But if you want to use UN2420 with X200, you need the 'Zender' Whitelist BIOS!

http://forums.thinkpads.com/~thinkpad/f ... 22#p609922 <- link to the last post of that thread.

Zender BIOSs are located here: http://theboardroom.info/bios/zender-bios.html

DO read the insturctions very carefully, there should be no fear of bricking your thinkpad if read correctly.

[Jason404]

@rkan

Yes, I was referring to Zender's modified BIOSs. But I have an X200s, and I think the X200s actually uses a different BIOS file, even though people are saying the X200 version works fine for them, as there are two BIOS files in the downloads from Lenovo for the X200/X200s. Zender's BIOS files are also quite old versions.

Somewhere on theboardroom.info is also the instructions from Zender on how he made the BIOS files, which I think maloosheck wants to attempt for his X200t.

[dmschulman]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have an x201t that I just purchased a Gobi 2000 and Intel 6300 wireless card and have only just realized what I need to do in order to get the new wifi card to work. I'm willing to flash my BIOS, but I don't know if the x200 bios patch from Zender is exactly what I'm looking for with my x201t.

Can anyone confirm that there is a working hack for flashing the whitelist on machines that aren't specifically x200 but are still in the X-series line of Thinkpads?

[rkan]

@rkan

Yes, I was referring to Zender's modified BIOSs. But I have an X200s, and I think the X200s actually uses a different BIOS file, even though people are saying the X200 version works fine for them, as there are two BIOS files in the downloads from Lenovo for the X200/X200s. Zender's BIOS files are also quite old versions.

Somewhere on theboardroom.info is also the instructions from Zender on how he made the BIOS files, which I think maloosheck wants to attempt for his X200t.

I can assure you that X200 and X200s BIOS-files are the same. On the Lenovo site, there are two versions because the other one is for 64bit and the other for 32bit.

The tablet does need another BIOS, which can be made just by editing the UID and PID of some device in the BIOS-file with a hex editor. Read the Zender Instructions for more info.

[Jason404]

@rkan

Why would there be two different BIOS files for x86 and x64 host operating systems? Has it got something to do with how the BIOS update program transfers the data to the CMOS?

I would prefer to modify the current BIOS file if it is not too hard. I remember seeing Zender's instructions somewhere, but I cannot find the link.

IIRC, it is required to stuff in some garbage data after modifying the whitelist, so that the MD5 checksum is the same as the original file. That sounds a bit difficult.

Have you tried this? Are the instructions easy to follow? Is it very risky?

[maloosheck]

Got my Gobi 2000 and started diggin' in the most recent x200t BIOS files.

There are 2 Zender's write-ups that I know of, one mentions just one check, the other one mentions A SECOND check for WLAN cards. I was able to locate the part that needs to be modified for the first check, but the second check is beyond my comprehension, especially since it is not described well. I plan to modify just the first one, as it does not require writing garbage to match the size. Hopefully over the weekend.

[rkan]

Found this while searching for help, and I can confirm it works.


http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... post356244

[Jason404]

@rkan, thanks for the link. I have installed that BIOS, and it seems to be working fine on my X200s.

However, I am really disappointed. I finally got around to fitting the Gobi 2000 card I got, but it does not seem to be working.

I fitted it after having installed the modified BIOS, turned the machine on, and nothing happens. The laptop works fine, as before, but there is not sign of the card in Fn +F5 or in Device Manager.

Any suggestions?

[EOMtp]

... there is not sign of the card ... Any suggestions?

Tape Pin 20.

[penartur]

IIRC, it is required to stuff in some garbage data after modifying the whitelist, so that the MD5 checksum is the same as the original file. That sounds a bit difficult.

Offtopic: it is not just difficult, it is practically impossible. That's what MD5 was designed for.

[rkan]

... there is not sign of the card ... Any suggestions?

Tape Pin 20.

Yeah.. this must be done.

[aloneboy]

Don't mind if somebody can pm me the link of Zender which has the bios for download, i had it previously but i lost it.

Thanks for anyone who could help.

[ole257]

No Zender, but it's the same and more actual:

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... post569674