Support for 2+ cores? Lenovo W500 Core 2 Quad

[k37]

W500 Bios Link: https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc...uj46u6.exe

W700 Bios Link: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/...uj24u6.exe

(I can attach the backed up rom from mine as well)

So the current state of the W500 Core 2 Quad modification requires you to use coreboot/libreboot or turn multi-core mode off in the stock bios. Multi-core on results in failure to post.

The W700 comes with Core 2 Quad support and features the PM45 chipset(no iGPU being the difference), by comparison the W500 uses the GM45 chipset.

Is there any possibility of updating the stock W500 bios to accept more than 2 cores? Or any direction someone can point me into doing so. Thanks!

[DeathBringer]

Post a screenshot of Mainboard tab of CPU-Z.
Did you make CPU pinmod?

[k37]

Post a screenshot of Mainboard tab of CPU-Z.
Did you make CPU pinmod?

   

And I can if needed but I have not yet as I'd only be able to utilize one core.

[k37]

Being the CPU can boot with multiprocessing disabled, I'm assuming this isn't a microcode issue then? Otherwise it wouldn't post at all?

I was comparing the W500/W700 bios, in bios configuration parameters it does say the max cpus is set to 04 on both. 

   

I also was scanning through the ACPI tables on RWeverything, I did notice processor 0x02 and 0x03 were flagged as disabled. Not sure if that's dependent on the CPU inserted or if all 4 would need to be enabled. I can upload more files if needed

   

[DeathBringer]

No BIOS mod can help without MB or CPU pinmod.
Forget about quad core CPU and install T9400, T9550, T9600, T9800 or T9900.

[k37]

No BIOS mod can help without MB or CPU pinmod.
Forget about quad core CPU and install T9400, T9550, T9600, T9800 or T9900.

I understand, I've done the mod before/I can do it again. 

The problem is AFTER I do the MB/CPU pinmod, I will be stuck using one core. Enabling multi-core mode causes it to not post.

[k37]

So in my endeavors, I checked the microcodes of W500/W700. Both share the same ones, figured I'd check anyway though.

Anyway, I did manage to hex edit the newer microcodes in. For those that want it, here you go: https://mega.nz/file/GJ5gDJbB#xAhHp_Ekmi...7x5UDMyqIE

The bios previously had whitelists removed and SLIC 2.1 added. MCExtractor shows they're up to date now. This bios is intended for 8mb T500/W500 but the 4mb should be easy to do. Winphlash will freak out over the checksums so making a DOS USB with PHLASH16 is the way to go.