6 ms·

I really want to try out coreboot (and also BITS, but that's easier). What's the cheapest non-QEMU way to play with coreboot?

yuhong 11y ago
Chromebooks, for one.
sandGorgon 11y ago
thinkpads. the X200/X300, T430/T530 series are all fairly modern and cheap laptops that are supported on coreboot. Also Gluglug, that builds 100% free (as in freedom) laptops - http://shop.gluglug.org.uk/ http://shop.gluglug.org.uk/
- mrbill 11y ago
  I can't seem to find easy directions for putting it on an X201; got any suggestions?
  - sandGorgon 11y ago
    these are the only two I could find : https://github.com/bibanon/Coreboot-ThinkPads/wiki/ThinkPad-X200 https://github.com/bibanon/Coreboot-ThinkPads/wiki/ThinkPad-... http://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x201 http://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x201 alternatively, do post in /r/thinkpad
rwmj 11y ago
I have an old X60s which I discovered only a few days ago is compatible and indeed well-supported by coreboot/libreboot. I intend to put it on there soon. You can pick up old X60s's on ebay for not very much money ($100 or so).
mwcampbell 11y ago
What is BITS in this context?
- agumonkey 11y ago
  Googleguess "The Intel BIOS Implementation Test Suite (BITS)" http://biosbits.org/ http://biosbits.org/
JoshTriplett 11y ago
> I really want to try out coreboot (and also BITS, but that's easier). Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about BITS. (Or if you have fun playing with it.) It's a lot of fun to work on, and it's a lot of fun to talk with people who use it. > What's the cheapest non-QEMU way to play with coreboot? A Chromebook. You can replace the read-write BIOS safely, as the system is always completely recoverable via the read-only BIOS. If you want to be able to replace the read-only BIOS as well (by turning the write-protect screw), get a Servo debug board, and read the online instructions for adding a Servo debug port to your Chromebook board. (Those boards typically have the debug header, just not the connector.)
- voltagex_ 11y ago
  Thanks Josh - I've pestered you about BITS in the past. I have way too many unfinished projects right now but it's on the list.

yuhong 11y ago

Chromebooks, for one.

sandGorgon 11y ago

thinkpads. the X200/X300, T430/T530 series are all fairly modern and cheap laptops that are supported on coreboot. Also Gluglug, that builds 100% free (as in freedom) laptops - http://shop.gluglug.org.uk/ http://shop.gluglug.org.uk/

mrbill 11y ago
I can't seem to find easy directions for putting it on an X201; got any suggestions?
- sandGorgon 11y ago
  these are the only two I could find : https://github.com/bibanon/Coreboot-ThinkPads/wiki/ThinkPad-X200 https://github.com/bibanon/Coreboot-ThinkPads/wiki/ThinkPad-... http://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x201 http://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/x201 alternatively, do post in /r/thinkpad

rwmj 11y ago

I have an old X60s which I discovered only a few days ago is compatible and indeed well-supported by coreboot/libreboot. I intend to put it on there soon. You can pick up old X60s's on ebay for not very much money ($100 or so).

mwcampbell 11y ago

What is BITS in this context?

agumonkey 11y ago
Googleguess "The Intel BIOS Implementation Test Suite (BITS)" http://biosbits.org/ http://biosbits.org/

JoshTriplett 11y ago

> I really want to try out coreboot (and also BITS, but that's easier). Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about BITS. (Or if you have fun playing with it.) It's a lot of fun to work on, and it's a lot of fun to talk with people who use it. > What's the cheapest non-QEMU way to play with coreboot? A Chromebook. You can replace the read-write BIOS safely, as the system is always completely recoverable via the read-only BIOS. If you want to be able to replace the read-only BIOS as well (by turning the write-protect screw), get a Servo debug board, and read the online instructions for adding a Servo debug port to your Chromebook board. (Those boards typically have the debug header, just not the connector.)

voltagex_ 11y ago
Thanks Josh - I've pestered you about BITS in the past. I have way too many unfinished projects right now but it's on the list.