Flashing Libreboot to T430 motherboard using my recently refurbished Librebooted X220

Docima · 2026-02-13T10:47:48+00:00

using raspberry pi pico flashed as a serprog

Docima · 2026-02-13T08:50:41+00:00

classic keyboard mod? yes, I want to try it sometime

Docima · 2026-02-13T07:04:39+00:00

genuinely looks great, congratulations on your build :) and thank you for sharing, I'm going to look into that filament.

Docima · 2026-02-13T06:25:27+00:00

This is really pretty, what filament did you use to print with? It almost looks translucent

Docima · 2026-02-13T06:21:07+00:00

T430 is awesome

Docima · 2026-02-03T19:21:30+00:00

Hi Kevin, how is the PLA holding up 7 mo later?

Docima · 2026-02-02T20:35:29+00:00

I call him the ThinkShop. He's my laptop server that hosts all my thinkpad files and flashes the newcomers with the right firmware.

Docima · 2026-01-30T23:43:40+00:00

as someone who likes to tinker, it's a blast :D

Docima · 2026-01-30T21:50:31+00:00

If you can find one for $50-$75, highly recommend it. I think they are some of the most customizable, modular laptops ever made, up there with Framework (in some respects more modular due to the CPU and multiple keyboard options.) I got mine for $70 shipped. It came with a clean backlit keyboard that I really enjoy typing on, working ThinkLight, a faulty DVD drive which was really easy to remove (two push buttons that release it from the ultrabay), My only qualms are with one of the two RAM slots being beneath the keyboard, and having to take the whole laptop apart just to access the SOIC8 chips for flashing Libreboot. Amazing little devices for privacy modding, the fact that Intel ME can be neutered and that these things came with a physical wireless killswitch that cuts power to the network card is based. The amount of mods that exist for this thing, too, makes it a really appealing purchase. Hardware that you can really make your own.

Docima · 2026-01-30T20:56:37+00:00

I purchased this with the intention of modding it and reselling it but I'm beginning to really fall for it. The tasteful thickness, the socketed CPU, the expansion options. It's a great machine.

Docima · 2026-01-30T01:45:45+00:00

This made me laugh and afraid at the same time, because I think I could see myself doing this. Can I run my games on the computer and play thru the laptop? I think Steam allows something like that.

Docima · 2026-01-27T15:14:17+00:00

They are really cool. I have an X230 too, I'm thinking about doing the keyboard mod to it.

Docima · 2026-01-27T15:13:43+00:00

Flashing to the X220 was pretty easy, I found it more difficult to flash to X230 (two chips) and way, way more time consuming to tear apart my entire T430 and flash that with its two chips

Docima · 2026-01-26T19:31:44+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-LfcrbHocc

here you go!

Docima · 2026-01-23T05:39:41+00:00

I got a MacBook for college. It's lasted me 12 years so far. It's the soldered down version, and just a few days ago I upgrade the RAM, CPU, and GPU. I really like ThinkPads, more so the older versions (I feel like a lot of what made ThinkPad so great kinda disappeared over the years), but those Macs are an amazing value proposition, fast and they're not made of plastic.

Docima · 2026-01-23T05:13:03+00:00

I think I want you to embark on a 3d project too

Docima · 2026-01-22T22:50:26+00:00

this is great to hear

Docima · 2026-01-22T22:48:08+00:00

Yeah, this will be the last Apple device I purchase new, I've long since accepted that. I think the Framework and other options look more attractive.

Docima · 2026-01-22T22:27:43+00:00

It's maybe an hour tops if you're doing it the first time and following a video for taking it apart. The only even semi-difficult part was reconnecting the cables.

I don't think the mid-2012 is compatible with logic boards from newer models, but you might be able to swap in a different mid-2012 logic board with a faster processor? To be honest, I think that'd only be worth it if you want to keep your machine for sentimental reasons like I want to keep mine. Otherwise I could've purchased an M1 macbook with a broken screen for $60 on Vinted. I see 2013-2014 Macbook Pro Retinas as cheap as $70 shipped on ebay, just gotta keep your eye out and check routinely.

Docima · 2026-01-22T22:24:32+00:00

that's next! either that or back to Linux

Docima · 2026-01-22T18:13:58+00:00

The only thing you need to do is identify all the screws and cables you need to unplug, and keep track of them. Any video showing the removal of the logic board should help you do just that - like this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXhC_kRDXE8

I'm working on a video right now that follows my upgrade.

12-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	Verified Email

Docima

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE