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.