x1c6-hackintosh/docs/BIOS.md

BIOS

Vanilla BIOS Settings

At the minimum, these BIOS settings must be made to install and run macOS without any problems:

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:

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:

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):

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.
2. Use xx_80_patches-v*.txt, I commented out WWAN patches since I do not need it.
3. @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
   • 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:

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.

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:

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:

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;