HP Elitebook 8570W - is it still good ? Hardware modifications

[GuitarG]

On 9/17/2024 at 12:17 AM, panda_zzz said:

Greetings. I'm following your project, although at one time I chose dell m4800 and old alienware as platforms for experimentation).
Could you please provide a link regarding possible support for 4G Decoding and ReBar in Coreboot? Because it is a prerequisite to upgrade mxm gpu to Ampere generation.

Here you go:
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Coreboot-Resizable-BAR

EDIT: Haswell may have problem with Coreboot because thanks to Intel (TM) Boot Guard. Your mileage may vary.

I had already tested this alternative BIOS simplifed version, and it works! Now I need to compile updated version with corrected bugs and graphical interface.

Never though I would be making my own bios hahaha!

[panda_zzz]

20 hours ago, GuitarG said:

I had already tested this alternative BIOS simplifed version, and it works! Now I need to compile updated version with corrected bugs and graphical interface.

very interesting, will look forward to hearing news of your success and following your work

[GuitarG]

Adapter for faster debuging on spare 8570w, I will make same later for main one. I plan to make mini board with dual bios, one coreboot and second will be original hp one.

I can test much faster now. Right now I can boot linux, but I have no visible BIOS and fans don't work on my compiled coreboot.

BTW, did you know different flash IC's loads time is varies? You can tell by how long it takes from power button to visible BIOS logo. Macronix is x2 faster than original winbond on my main notebook 🙂





On left main one vs test on right.
Both with latest updated firmware. Coreboot is even faster (but I don't have video for now)

 

[GuitarG]

(In professor's voice from Futurama) Bad news everyone, my 8570W lately started to malfunction. Motherboard needs to be repaired, I checked CPU and RTX GPU separately, and they are okay, but in my modded 8570w I'm getting black screen freezes when CPU uses more power. Swapping in weak CPU works, but that is not point. So hold your fingers crossed for me making my PC alive again, thanks.

[loopster]

@GuitarG In case you can't fix it, pm me, I got a spare one lying around which I am willing to donate for free to a mad lad for the good cause. Postage costs only.

[GuitarG]

After more than five years with me, it was his time to go to notebook heaven. RIP, sweet prince.

I have spare mobo, but I won't use RTX this time, I will go back to P5000. I will do cable mod and BIOS thing, even one more DIY heatsink work. So everyone else could go my way and make his laptop better. Thank you loopster, and everyone, for support.

Someday I will mod some RTX GPU, again..