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Flashing a custom BIOS onto the T430 - How to install wirele

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Dec 12th, 2016
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  1. **Hey there, fellow Thinkpadders!**
  2.  
  3. I recently did the deed and upgraded my T430 to a WiFi card with 802.11ac and 5GHz support! Sadly, this isn't a process of just changing the wireless card, as the T430 has a whitelist in it's BIOS, so that only approved cards can be put in, otherwise... [this happens](http://i.imgur.com/rN3a5Zw.jpg).
  4.  
  5. So if you want to install a new WiFi card, you have to flash a custom BIOS. Sadly, this isn't so easy on the T430, as BIOS images need to be signed by Lenovo, if you want to flash them _the easy way_.
  6.  
  7. ****
  8.  
  9. **DISCLAIMER:** *I'm NOT responsible for any damages on your hardware. Do it on your own risk.*
  10.  
  11. ****
  12.  
  13. **So what do you need to do it?**
  14.  
  15. * a CH341A Programmer ([*the one I used*](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B012VPKE7K/), you can also find this one under the model number "MX25L6405")
  16. * a SOIC-8 Clip ([*I used this one*](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B012VSGQ0Q/), but in the forums they recommend the "Pomona 5250 Solderless SOIC-8 Clip")
  17. * a new WiFi card ([*I used the Intel 7260*](https://www.amazon.de/Intel-7260-HMWWB-R-Wireless-AC-7260-PCIe-Mini-PCI-Karten/dp/B00N7474CS), but you can use any card you want, as long as it uses the mini PCIe format, not M.2!)
  18. * a custom BIOS image (mine got created by Dudu2002 over at [bios-mods.com](https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/User-Dudu2002). You can do it yourself, but I have no experience with that. I'll still link you some resources down below, so you can do it if you want to.)
  19. * some software I'll link you on your way through the guide
  20. * a second computer for the flashing process
  21. * strong nerves, time and patience
  22.  
  23. ****
  24.  
  25. **IMPORTANT NOTES**
  26.  
  27. * Make sure your programmer and clip are compatible with chips of the 25XX series. The chip we'll need to flash is a "MX25L3205D".
  28. * You need a unique BIOS image for yourself, as your serial number is also stored in there. Flashing some image from the internet will overwrite your unique IDs INDEFINITELY.
  29. * Flashing a custom BIOS will ABSOLUTELY void your warranty.
  30. * The TPM chip will notice that you have a custom BIOS. You can either disable the security chip in the BIOS afterwards or you deal with the beep code at every boot. (5xshort 5xshort) It should be noted, that BitLocker (the Windows hard drive encryption) will probably not work anymore if you have the TPM chip disabled. I heard there are ways around this, but don't quote me on that.
  31. * Check whether or not the WiFi card works beforehand. You can do this by plugging in the card after Windows booted.
  32.  
  33. ****
  34.  
  35. **FIRST: BACKUP YOUR CURRENT BIOS**
  36.  
  37. Important step, you shouldn't miss out on this, as it can be VERY useful if something goes wrong. Download the Intel FPT Tool [here](http://rgho.st/7ktxKKbNs), extract the BACKUP_Tools12.exe onto your desktop and run it. It'll create a "results.rar" which contents will look like [this](http://i.imgur.com/E3DisQ5.png). (Don't worry, the error messages popping up are completely normal.)
  38.  
  39. ****
  40.  
  41. **NEXT: DISASSEMBLING YOUR THINKPAD**
  42.  
  43. You heard me! Go to the [maintenance manual](http://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/hmm_pdf/t430_t430i_hmm_en_0b48304_03.pdf) and disassemble everything up to the Magnesium structure frame. So:
  44.  
  45. * “1010 Battery pack” on page 68
  46. * “1020 ExpressCard blank bezel” on page 69
  47. * “1030 Serial Ultrabay Enhanced bay or blank bezel” on page 70
  48. * “1040 Hard disk drive or solid-state drive” on page 71
  49. * “1050 Memory module slot cover” on page 73
  50. * “1080 PCI Express Mini Card for wireless WAN or mSATA solid-state drive” on page 75
  51. * “1090 Keyboard” on page 80
  52. * “1120 PCI Express Mini Card for wireless LAN/WiMAX” on page 85
  53. * “1130 Keyboard bezel assembly, FPC cable, and Bluethooth daughter card” on page 86
  54. * “1150 Speaker assembly” on page 91
  55. * “1160 LCD unit” on page 93
  56. * “1170 Thermal Fan assembly” on page 96
  57. * “1180 Microprocessor” on page 100
  58. * “1190 Base cover assembly and DC-in connector” on page 101
  59. * “1200 Magnesium structure frame” on page 104
  60.  
  61. ****
  62.  
  63. **SETUP YOUR CH341A PROGRAMMER**
  64.  
  65. Quite probably, your CH341A Programmer doesn't come with any drivers. But that's no problem, as the internet always has a solution! Download [this archive](https://mega.nz/#!uJtTgAxC!r0ys8c-DlST8O1mSNpHjOTTCvNEsqFVi2Muf_1UCnh8) and extract it somewhere. Plug in your programmer and launch "driver-- 24CXX25XX.EXE". After that the drivers should be successfully installed.
  66.  
  67. If you experience any problems, just go through [this YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ChYNwunUE) and everything should be explained. (He uses a slightly different archive with an older version of the flashing software, but the rest *should* be the same.)
  68.  
  69. Now you can launch "CH341A.exe", which is the flashing tool. In the lower right corner you should see "Device state: Connected" now!
  70.  
  71. ****
  72.  
  73. **LOCATE THE BIOS CHIP**
  74.  
  75. As already mentioned, the chip we are looking for is the MX25L3205D. It's located under the touchpad area. To see it, you have to remove the protective plastic a bit. [Here's a guiding picture.](http://i.imgur.com/YoqqpN3.jpg)
  76.  
  77. Now we get to use our clip. [Here you can see the PIN 1, which also needs to be connected to PIN 1 on the programmer.](http://i.imgur.com/1JG20Rh.jpg) It was the case for my clip, that the wire for PIN 1 was red. Stick the clip on top of the chip.
  78.  
  79. Oh, and if you are confused which way around you have to connect the clip to the programmer... [Here you can see how it was in my case.](http://i.imgur.com/zndkB0x.jpg)
  80.  
  81. ****
  82.  
  83. **BACKUP THE BIOS**
  84.  
  85. Now we're ready to backup the BIOS! Launch the "CH341A.exe", make sure it still says "Device state: Connected" and click on "Detect" on the top left corner! [(Screenshot)](http://i.imgur.com/8dhyHej.png) It should find the MS25L3205D now. If it doesn't, check whether or not the connection is alright. On the first few tries it also kinda bugged out for me, saying "unknown" or "MX25L6405D". Just reseat the connection, check the orientation of the clip, and try again until it detects it!
  86.  
  87. When it detected the chip correctly, click on "Read", this will read any contents of the chip. This process took ~30sec for me. When it's done, click "Save". Now you successfully created a BIOS backup directly from the chip!
  88.  
  89. At this point, I did it 2 more times, just to be sure. ;) Check the file size of the backup, it should be exactly 4MB (4096KB). [(Obligatory screenshot)](http://i.imgur.com/UXLETnT.png)
  90.  
  91. We are ready to create the custom BIOS now!
  92.  
  93. ****
  94.  
  95. **CREATING THE CUSTOM BIOS YOURSELF**
  96.  
  97. ucupsz made a great guide a while back about editing the image. You can check it out [HERE](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7WYx7u6HJh_a25SdENtenZKdWc/edit).
  98.  
  99. I can't really help you with this, as I didn't try it. But share your experiences if you did!
  100.  
  101. ****
  102.  
  103. **or GETTING THE BIOS IMAGE MADE FOR YOU**
  104.  
  105. As already stated, mine got created by Dudu2002 over at [bios-mods.com](https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/User-Dudu2002). He's a really nice guy and if you have any questions left that I forgot to cover here, ask him! (And tell me too, so I can add the answer here.)
  106.  
  107. If you don't want to create an account over at bios-mods.com, just PM me and I'll send you his email address. And tell him I sent you! ;)
  108.  
  109. ****
  110.  
  111. **FLASHING THE CUSTOM BIOS**
  112.  
  113. We're getting close to done!
  114.  
  115. Click on "Erase", as you have to "format" the chip before reflashing it. If you don't (this definitely didn't happen to me), you'll get an error message "Chip with the contents are in disgreement" and your Thinkpad is probably softbricked at that point. (I didn't try to boot and this point and that's probably for the better. :D)
  116.  
  117. If your chip is clear now (or filled with garbage data), click on "Open" and select your custom BIOS! Now click on "Program". When it's done, click on "Verify". If everything seems fine, then you should now have a Thinkpad T430 without a WiFi card whitelist! Assemble it back together enough so you can boot into the BIOS and check whether or not it's still working.
  118.  
  119. Theoretically everything's fine, the "Unauthorized network card" error is gone and you can boot into Windows now with your new WiFi card!
  120.  
  121. (Also, in my case Dudu2002 was so nice and also unlocked the Advanced settings in the BIOS for me. :) )
  122.  
  123. ****
  124.  
  125. **CONGRATULATIONS! YOU NOW HAVE A THINKPAD T430 WITH 802.11ac AND 5GHz!**
  126.  
  127. ****
  128.  
  129. **SOURCES/CREDITS**
  130.  
  131. http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Custom_BIOS
  132.  
  133. https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-REQUEST-Whitelist-wifi-removal-for-T430-got-hardware-flash-programmer
  134.  
  135. https://github.com/bibanon/Coreboot-ThinkPads/wiki/xx30-BIOS-Whitelist-Removal
  136.  
  137. Thanks to everyone who did the tinkering before me! BDMaster, ucupsz, Dudu2002... you name it!
  138.  
  139. Also: If Dudu2002 created your image, send him a few bucks for his work! (I'm actually really glad I didn't have to do create it by myself. :P)
  140.  
  141. ****
  142.  
  143.  
  144. If you still have any questions, just tell me! I'll try to answer them as good as I can.
  145.  
  146. Also, I'm sorry for any grammatical/spelling errors! I'm not a native English speaker. :)
  147.  
  148.  
  149.  
  150. I hope my guide helped you and thanks for reading! :)
  151.  
  152. -dasinking
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