Modified BIOSes for Thinkpads

Please do not post link to this page anywhere public! Feel free to send it to anyone through PM/e-mail/similiar means. Else it will need to be taken down. Thank you.

Always check the link to Lenovo's website and make sure the BIOS is meant for your machine. Though it shouldn't let you flash it if it isn't. The second column in tables is for this, that's not the modified BIOS!

All downloads are bootable CDs (exceptions noted), follow instructions from Lenovo's website on using bootable ISO BIOS updates.

Patch types:

skip – will only avoid displaying the error 1802/1804/1805 and allow booting; but BIOS will probably send disable signal over disable pin (miniPCIe pin 20) so you'll have to tape it or you won't get it to transmit anything
full – further modified that not only error 180X is avoided, but all (to my knowledge) calls for detecting whitelist presence will succeed; this will proabably spare you from taping over the disable pin and might get the hardware wireless switch working; if your card isn't supported by AccessConnections/Hotkey driver (and only Lenovo-branded ones are), then you still won't be able to control on-off state using Fn-F5

Access Connections support (for non-Lenovo cards, this easy way only works for cards from already supported manufacturers)

If you don't have AC installed, but use Fn-F5 with Hotkey driver, you just need to open TpFnF5.exe in some hexeditor, search for some ID of supported card and replace it with ID of your card. You can see your card ID in device manager, in properties of your device, called something like Hardware ID. If should be in form of VEN_1234&DEV_5678, search the TpFnF5.exe for DEV=5678 (in plaintext, not hex) and replace it with correct ID.
If you have AC installed, AcFnF5.exe takes over and will use AC libraries to detect supported cards. Specifically WWAN card IDs seem to be located in AcAdaptersInfo.dll and Acon.dll, there's more for WLAN. One added problem for easy replacing is that the strings here are in unicode, so it will look like this in hex editor. Again need to replace some supported card with the one you have, as in previous paragraph.

Recommended section – these modified BIOSes have been tested on at least one machine and did not brick it:

Machine	Based on BIOS	WLAN	WWAN	WUSB	Note
X61	7NETC1WW 2.21	full	full		contains these three files: (1) bootable CD which boots to command line, type `command` and hit enter to use Lenovo's update tool. Type `flash2 /u` to force update when you already have this version. (2) .FL1 file to replace in BIOS update from Lenovo. (3) .WPH file to be used with WinPhlash - WARNING, WinPhlash WON'T CHECK whether it's for your machine - and if it's not, you might get bricked.

These modified BIOSes have been tested on at least one machine and did not brick it, but are obsolete now:

Machine	Based on BIOS	WLAN	WWAN	Note
X61	7NETA7WW 2.07	skip	full
X61	7NETB6WW 2.16	full	full	boots to command line, type `command` and hit enter to use Lenovo's update tool. Type `flash2 /u` to force update when you already have this version.
X61	7NETB8WW 2.18	full	full	boots to command line, type `command` and hit enter to use Lenovo's update tool. Type `flash2 /u` to force update when you already have this version.
X61	7NETB9WW 2.19	full	full	boots to command line, type `command` and hit enter to use Lenovo's update tool. Type `flash2 /u` to force update when you already have this version.
X61	7NETC0WW 2.20	full	full	boots to command line, type `command` and hit enter to use Lenovo's update tool. Type `flash2 /u` to force update when you already have this version.

These BIOSes have NOT been TESTED on any machine yet, potential BRICKING RISK:

Machine	Based on BIOS	WLAN	WWAN	WUSB	Note
None as of now.

Obsolete and NOT TESTED on any machine, potential BRICKING RISK:

Machine	Based on BIOS	WLAN	WWAN	WUSB	Note
None as of now.

Don't forget general BIOS flashing safety: never flash from Windows, remove the computer from dock, have charged battery and also connect AC power.

2008-03-05: Please report success/problems here! (editing records fixed)

Your Nick/Name	Machine / BIOS Model	Card	L.	Avoids boot error?	Connects?	Taped pin 20?	Comment (issues...)
		is Lenovo-branded					Contact: (I might try to resolve issues you report, not public)
2008-03-10 Pdudas	X61 7666-36G	Novatel Eu870D	no	yes	yes	no	FN-F5 not shows the card. Works from Mobilink
2008-06-19 n38778	X61 7675-K2U	Novatel 870D	no	yes	yes	yes	Vista 32bit/winplash +.fl1 from ISO/HW switch does not work,otherwise perfect!
2008-07-16 whats	X61 7669-3JG	HP HS2300 (Sierra MC8775) (03f0:1e1d)	no	yes	yes	no	It works perfectly, I have a x61s. Used one of two wifi antenna on card and it works great. Now the wifi doesn't have the same power, but it works great!
2008-08-05 discoy2k	X61 7675-H7U	MC5720	yes	yes	yes	no	ONLY FLASH FL1 and use winphlash app, it works!
2008-09-24 Yves_	X61 2.16 7675-CTO	Sierra Wireless MC8775	no	yes	yes	no	Works perfectly. Thanks again zender!
2008-09-30 JohanRuben	X61 2.16 7675-4KU	Option GTM378	no	yes	yes	no	Worked perfectly, works with AC but not fn+f5
2008-10-24 proa	X61 2.16 7675-k2u	Sierra Wireless MC8775	no	yes	yes	no	fn+f5 works
2008-11-13 !llum!nat!	X61 7666-A8G	Intel Wifi Link 5300	no	yes	yes	no	Worked without any trouble!
2008-11-24 melon	X61 7673 B25	mc8775	no	yes	yes	no	FN+F5 doesn't show the card. But with the help of 3G watcher, it works fine. Thanks!
2009-01-11 Lovan6	X61 7673-4na	Sierra mc8775/HP HS 2300 Hsdpa/ locked	no	yes	yes	yes	Everything work. access connection and fn5 also work. have to ulock card by using dc unlocker. Thanks Zender
2009-01-18 sosro	X61 7673-A22	sierra mc 8775	yes	yes	yes	no	access connection does not recoqnize wan card but works with driver from both lenovo and sierra wireless.
2009-01-18 Sportler2k3	X61 7668-CTO	Ericsson F3507g (43R9153)	yes	yes	yes	yes	ibm/lenovo tools works fine
2009-01-31 hans eat ic	X61 7668-CTO	mc8790	no	yes	yes	yes	worx so far
2009-02-23 Avi	X61 2.19 7675-59U	Sierra mc8775 hp2300	no	yes	yes	no	ac and fn f5 functions, had to install lenovo mc8775 dtiver V. 7.0.2.1300 which is for cingular and vodafone connection but ac can b configured to launc 3g watcher to take over for connections to oher 3g carriers
2009-03-19 fmarci	X61 7667-CTO	Novatel eu870D	no	yes	yes	no	Worked perfectly. I\\\'ve used the new BIOS!
2009-04-11 golftdi115	X61 7673-5GU	sierra MC 8775	no	yes	yes	no	Perfect. Mod-Ver.2.19 works.
2009-04-13 auahelap	X61 7675-4KU	GTM378	no	yes	yes	no	work properly. switch be able to disable the card but can\\\'t control it using AC or Fn-F5. Couldn\'t find device ID under the card properties
2009-04-19	X61		no	no	no	no
2009-04-24 Fredimishi	X61 7669-3JG	Ericsson F3507g	yes	yes	yes	yes	Done in Windows, now works in Linux and Windows with Access Connections
2009-05-10	X61		yes	no	no	no
2009-05-16 dsoql	X61	Sierra MC8775	no	yes	yes	no	Zender rocks!! Everything works perfectly!!
2009-07-01 mcsound	X61 7668-CTO	Sierra MC8781	no	yes	yes	no	I'm using Windows 7. Upgraded BIOS through unattended/silent (-s) install in Windows. Hardware switch works with the card, however Access Connections (AC) don't. Tried to modify ACon.dll and AcAdaptersInfo.dll, then reinstall AC. The wireless broadband have appeared in AC, however worked very strangely and buggy. Had to rolled back to original files, and now use Sierra 3G Watcher.
2009-10-16 Ostap	X61	Intel3945ABG	no	yes	yes	yes	After BIOS upgrade worked perfectly!
2009-10-23 caio4686	X61 s 7667-BT7	MC8775	no	yes	no	no	I can´t install the drivers!! I used the bios 2.20.
2009-10-31 YiannisB	X61 2.20 7669-3jg	ericsson (Ericsson f3507g)	yes	yes	yes	yes	It works but not controlled with the Fn+F5
2009-10-31 YiannisB	X61 2.20 7669-3jg	ericsson (Ericsson f3507g)	yes	yes	yes	yes	It works but not controlled with the Fn+F5
2009-12-01	X61 S		no	no	no	no
2010-01-25 aris120579	X61 7674-GK1	sierra MC8781+GPS	no	yes	yes	no	Work without any trouble
2010-01-24 YiannisB	X61 2.21 7669-3jg	5350 and F3507g	yes	yes	yes	yes	only second slot (f3507 g) it tapped AC not working on WWAN(used vodafone tool instead)
2010-01-28 Tony	X61 7675－cto	Apple AR5008X	no	yes	yes	no	Fn-F5 works, but hardware switch cann't turn off wireless. Led Light doesn't work
2010-02-17	X61 7669		no	no	no	no
2010-03-29 Thinkpad_nut	X61 7676A24	Lenovo supplied Intel 2GB Robson Turbo RAM	yes	yes	no	no	Works fine- in WWAN slot. Using Lenovo OEM Windows 7 Pro.
2010-07-06	X61	MC8785	no	no	no	no
2010-07-15 sichgeis	X61	Ubiquiti SR71E	no	yes	yes	no	flawless
2010-10-10 cyborgxs	X61 7674-CTO	ATHEROS 5418 AR5008 Wireless N WiFi PCI-E AR5BXB72 ATHEROS 5418 AR5008	no	yes	yes	no	works with snow leopard 10.6.4 no wifi LED
2010-11-03	X61 7674-CTO		no	no	no	no
2010-12-16 Thinkpad4me	X61 7666-AG6	Apple AR5BXB72 Mini PCI-e 802.11N	yes	yes	yes	no	x61s Thinkpad. Wifi Card is in WAN slot because i stripped screws on other intel card. Working fine, pin 20 not taped.

Column "L." = Is Lenovo branded?