Super Beginner User Try Installing GNU BOOT: Various Questions.
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Hello everyone, I am a new user.
I am not very knowledgeable about computers and electronics but I can follow the guides if they are clear. I joined because I am trying to install GNU BOOT on a T60 and I have several questions. There are many guides on the web but they all dictate slightly different commands and I don't know which ones are the most appropriate to install GNU BOOT in the safest/complete/effective way possible.
(1) First you need to update the bios and this I have done.
(2) As second thing one would need to install trisquel on the pc (no problem).
(3) As the third thing one would need to backup the bios with flashrom. I installed flashrom but I didn't understand what commands should be given....
(4) As fourth step you would need to install gnu boot rom using flashrom, here the guides give different directions and I don't know what commands to give.
(5) Which of the 5 RC versions is the most secure and stable? Is the corebootfb or txtmode version better?
(6) Of course, I also haven't figured out how to go back to the original bios in case I change my mind....
Does anyone have the patience to help me?
I expect you'll have better luck using GNU Boot project resources and communication channels.
"3.1 Installation and upgrade instructions
The GNU Boot manual doesn’t have well integrated installation or upgrade instructions
yet but some generic installation and upgrade instructions can be found in the GNU Boot
website. We need help to migrate these instructions in the manual and make them easier
to understand."
I think I will give up.
Regarding (3):
There is some information on this page (it refers to flashprog instead of flashrom but the commands should be the same): https://libreboot.org/docs/install/spi.html
I used this command for external flashing:
sudo ./flashrom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0,spispeed=32768 -r dump.bin
If you flash internally (without opening it up) then probably this one will work (dump.bin is the filename you want to save the bios under):
sudo ./flashrom -p internal -r dump.bin
Regarding (4):
Using another Thinkpad model I had to use ich9gen utility first. I don't know if this applies to the T60 but I mention it just in case. For internal flashing the command should be:
sudo ./flashrom -p internal -w gnuboot.rom -V
Regarding (5):
I used the latest version of GNU BOOT (RC5) recently on an X200 and used the corebootfb-version. Worked without any issues.
Regarding (6):
In that case you have to use the write command but put the bin you dumped earlier in the -w Parameter:
sudo ./flashrom -p internal -w BiosDumpFromEarlier.bin -V
Generally the parameter "-p" depends on your flashing method. If you use hardware flashing you need to add the interface but if you didn't open up your laptop during the procedure then just using -p internal should be right.
Adrien Bourmault -> Neox -> maintainer of the GNU Boot project
XMPP public group -> librehardware @ salons.a-lec.org
https://forge.a-lec.org/GNUBoot/gnuboot
https://www.a-lec.org/
https://wiki.xmpp.org/web/Adrien_Bourmault_Application_2024
I am a translator!
On IRC, server libera.chat, #gnuboot channel, there are several people familiar with gnuboot who can help. If you are not an IRC user, note that it is better to remain connected permanently, so that people can send replies to you at any time. Personally, I use quassel on freedombox for this.