# BIOS
## Vanilla BIOS Settings
At the minimum, these BIOS settings must be made to install and run macOS without any problems:
``` mermaid
graph LR
id1[Main Menu]-->Security;
id1-->Config;
id1-->Startup;
Security-->TPM[Security Chip];
Security-->Fingerprint;
Security-->SBC[Secure Boot Configuration];
Config-->Network;
Startup-->|UEFI/Legacy Boot|id4[UEFI Only];
Startup-->|CSM Support|No;
TPM-->|Security Chip|id2[Disabled];
Fingerprint-->|Predesktop Authentication|id2;
SBC-->|Secure Boot|id2;
Network-->|Wake on LAN|id3[Disabled];
Network-->|Wake on LAN from Dock|id3;
Network-->|UEFI IPv4 Network Stack|id3;
Network-->|UEFI IPv6 Network Stack|id3;
```
!!! Tip
You can also disable hardware/features you do not need to save power, some examples are:
``` mermaid
graph LR
id1[Main Menu]-->Security;
id1-->Config;
Security-->id2[I/O Port Access];
Config-->USB;
id2-->|Wireless WAN|id3[Disabled];
id2-->|Fingerprint Reader|id3;
id2-->|Memory Card Slot|id3;
USB-->|Always on USB|Disabled;
```
* If you **DO NOT use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug** in macOS (don't mind shutting down the machine to connect TB3 devices), this will drastically lower power consumption:
``` mermaid
graph LR
id1[Main Menu]-->Config;
Config-->id2[Thunderbolt 3];
id2-->|Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode|Enabled;
id2-->|Thunderbolt Device|Enabled;
```
* If you **DO use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug in macOS** (at the expense of idle power consumption):
``` mermaid
graph LR
id1[Main Menu]-->Config;
Config-->id2[Thunderbolt 3];
id2-->|Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode|Disabled;
id2-->|Security Level|id3[No Security];
id2-->|Support in Pre Boot Environment: Thunderbolt Device|Disabled;
```
## Modding the BIOS
!!! Danger
As of of July 16th, 2021: the BIOS mod will break TPM. Hence, Windows 11 will not work. Consider this if you wish to proceed.
A modded BIOS will allow for more optimizations to be made for macOS and will overall make your hackintosh better. I am a BIOS modding novice myself, but with these instructions, I was able to mod my x1c6 BIOS in less than one hour. I fully recommend doing this for all who think themselves capable. Furthermore, the default `config.plist` for this repository is meant to accommodate a modded BIOS with appropriate settings. If you cannot mod your BIOS or is unwilling to do so, use `config_unmoddedBIOS.plist`.
[SPI Programmer CH341a and SOIC8 connector](https://www.amazon.com/Organizer-Socket-Adpter-Programmer-CH341A/dp/B07R5LPTYM) are needed.
Here are the steps to mod your BIOS (credits to `paranoidbashthot` and `\x`). Attempt this at your own risk.
1. Refer to [digmorepaka/thinkpad-firnware-patches](https://github.com/digmorepaka/thinkpad-firmware-patches).
2. Use `xx_80_patches-v*.txt`, I commented out WWAN patches since I do not need it.
3. [@notthebee](https://github.com/notthebee) also has a useful video to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7kqUEccUM
4. Remember to **dump the vanilla twice and use `diff` to make sure things were dumped properly**, store this backup somewhere safe.
5. Confirmed working `BIOS-v1.45`, I cannot be sure about other BIOS versions. Though they will most likely work as well.
6. The modded BIOS does not need to be signed by `thinkpad-eufi-sign`. Just **remember to replace 4C 4E 56 42 42 53 45 43 FB with 4C 4E 56 42 42 53 45 43 FF on the patched BIOS.**
- The BIOS chip is located above the CPU, under the sticker shield:
7. Your BIOS chip may not be made by Winbond, but by Macronix instead. In that case, add the argument `-c MX25L12835F/MX25L12845E/MX25L12865E` to `flashrom`. See [Issue #116](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh/issues/116#issuecomment-778654320)
- Successfully modding your BIOS will reveal the `Advance Menu` tab.
8. It goes without saying, after doing this, do not update your BIOS unless you want to do this again.
## Modded BIOS Settings
The following are further optimization settings that can be figured once your BIOS is modded.
* These settings are universally recommended optimizations for your hackintosh:
``` mermaid
graph TD
id1[Advance Tab]-->id2[Intel Advanced Menu];
id2-->id3[System Agent Configuration];
id2-->id4[Power & Performance];
id3-->id5[Graphics Configuration];
id4-->id6[CPU - Power Management Control];
id5-->|DVMT Pre-Allocated|64M;
id6-->id7[CPU Lock Configuration];
id7-->|CFG Lock|Disabled;
```
* I also recommend undervolting your machine regarless of your usage, the following are stable settings for my x1c6 with `i7-8650U`, verified by stress testing with `Prime95` and `Heaven Benchmark`, your may be worse or better, please do your own testing. In addition, I suggest you repaste your machine with an aftermarket thermal paste for lower temps and a better undervolt.
``` mermaid
graph TD
id1[Advance Tab]-->id2[Intel Advanced Menu];
id2-->id3[OverClocking Performance Menu];
id3-->|OverClocking Feature|Enabled;
id3-->Processor;
id3-->GT;
id3-->Uncore;
Processor-->|Voltage Offset|100;
Processor-->|Offset Prefix|id4[-];
GT-->|GT Voltage Offset|id8[80];
GT-->|Offset Prefix|id5[-];
GT-->|GTU Voltage Offset|id8;
GT-->|Offset Prefix|id5;
Uncore-->|Uncore Voltage Offset|80;
Uncore-->|Offset Prefix|id6[-];
```
* The following settings depend on your own personal preference:
* If you want to optimize CPU **performance** at the cost of battery:
``` mermaid
graph LR
id1[Advance Tab]-->id2[Power & Performance];
id2-->id3[CPU - Power Management Control];
id3-->|Boot Performance Mode|id4[Turbo Performance];
id3-->|Config TDP Configurations|Up;
```
* If you want to optimize **battery time** at the cost of performance:
``` mermaid
graph LR
id1[Advance Tab]-->id2[Power & Performance];
id2-->id3[CPU - Power Management Control];
id3-->|Boot Performance Mode|id4[Max Battery];
id3-->|Config TDP Configurations|Down;
```