I have had 3 of the cheap black clips break, if I should guess it’s the clip that is the problem.
The big spring that closes the clip and the small springs in the pin connector eventually get too soft, and the clip stops having a good connection with the chip.
Observations from those who have been successful in this are important.
I also saw a website which suggested it is easy to rub off a resistor, which keeps the computer from booting.
Renehoj, if you live close to east Texas and can be bribed to fix up an X-230. I have the problem X-230, and, in addition, I bought another MOBO to put in it.
I already bought a functional X-230, which I am afraid to tamper with. I have not broken it yet. I was thinking of the other route. Beginning with what you suggested: 1vyrain. and then the “Anti-Evil Maid.”
I don’t live in the US.
I think it’s very unlikely you have damaged the motherboard, you are only going to rub off a resistor if there is something wrong with the solder joint.
Try ordering a new clip and see if that fixes the problem.
I had thought of Clips would be better as well.
Also spending a hundred and buying PI to be the programmer. Or are they more now.
I am 72, have some vision issues, and really poor.
As I think of it. It is surely easier for me to go the route of 1vyrain, and then then, “Anti-Evil Maid” would seem as good as using Heads. Or is it? Is it as reliable for detecting problems?
You cannot (currently) use Anti-Evil Maid if you have flashed the chip
with coreboot, and cleaned ME.
AEM is as reliable as Heads for authenticating the machine to the user.
Does ME disappear after flashing coreboot?
You can configure coreboot to clean ME, but you need not.
You can use me_cleaner without applying coreboot.
ME is cleaned, but does not “disappear” on these machines. Some modules
are required for boot, but ME then errors and does not work. (On much
older machines, ME is completely removed by me_cleaner.)
Thank you, what about Skulls, is it easier than installing coreboot?
@7530hhmu I highly recommend Skulls! Skulls is far easier than compiling your own Coreboot package, coming from a novice here. I have flashed Skulls on several X230 and T430 models and successfully updated them to newer versions of Skulls without any issues. Martin Kepplinger, the maintainer for Skulls, is also very quick to answer questions and concerns.
Like the Thinkpad X200 ?
Can you drop some links regarding Skulls?
As I was told, the difference between CoreBoot and Skulls is that Skulls installs the latest version of Core Boot, else you must look up the latest version of Core Boot for your computer, and compile it.
Might be wise to read some of the things written by Martin Kipplinger. I frankly have not. My bad.
Yes, you can completely remove ME on the x200 and similar models, but
you cant run Qubes on them.
How did you do the installation? Raspberry Pi or 1vyrain?
I’ll chip in with my experience.
I have used 1vyrain on a few occasions.
I’ve used the cheapest clips available, and Pomona clips. Pomona are
obviously better, but at a cost. If you are flashing many machines they
are a good buy but have a definite shelf life.
I tried AP at one time - wouldn’t recommend.
You can get a cheap kit with CH341A programmer and SOIC-8 clip - widely
available. If you are only working on one machine for a single flash that
will probably do. You should only need to attach the clip once for the
session, and on the x230 the chips are easily accessible.
That said, if you are going to work on your machine, take the
opportunity to strip it down fully, clean it out, and replace the thermal
paste on the CPU.
The manuals from Lenovo are excellent, with full step by step
instructions and many illustrations. Provided you count out the screws
and count them back in you should be fine.
All this carries a risk. If you cant afford to replace the machine if
something goes wrong, and you have any doubts about your ability to
follow simple instructions with care, then don’t do it. Find someone
local who will help you.
Skulls aims to take the (alleged) pain out of coreboot by providing prebuilt
images. I’ve never seen the point myself. The coreboot build process is
straightforward and you can learn a good deal about the options and
configuration. But if you want the easy path, take it.
If you are considering coreboot be prepared for some issues with power
and heating. Also, how will you view new coreboot releases?
As always, a trade off.
I never presume to speak for the Qubes team.
When I comment in the Forum or in the mailing lists I speak for myself.
The blue Pomona 5250 clips are good quality.
Yes, they are a lot better than the cheap clips.
I stopped using the clips, now I just use a WSON probe for all eprom chips. It works with both chip types, it’s more reliable, and works with chips where there isn’t enough room to use the clip. The only downside is that you need to hold it by hand, which can be hard with 32 MB chips.
@7530hhmu I am traveling at the moment but I can definitely share the steps to Coreboot using Skulls.
Heads is pretty straightforward to install. Heads give you verified boot (Detects any changes to /boot) If you use maximized builds, you pretty much just flash it and you’re done. Maximized builds come with me neutralized. I used an RPi and a pomona 5250 clip. See: https://osresearch.net/