1 # Protectli Vault FW6 series
3 This page describes how to run coreboot on the [Protectli FW6].
7 ## Required proprietary blobs
9 To build a minimal working coreboot image some blobs are required (assuming
10 only the BIOS region is being modified).
13 +-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
14 | Binary file | Apply | Required / Optional |
15 +=================+=================================+=====================+
16 | FSP-M, FSP-S | Intel Firmware Support Package | Required |
17 +-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
18 | microcode | CPU microcode | Required |
19 +-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
20 | vgabios | VGA Option ROM | Optional |
21 +-----------------+---------------------------------+---------------------+
24 FSP-M and FSP-S are obtained after splitting the Kaby Lake FSP binary (done
25 automatically by the coreboot build system and included into the image) from
26 the `3rdparty/fsp` submodule.
28 Microcode updates are automatically included into the coreboot image by build
29 system from the `3rdparty/intel-microcode` submodule.
31 VGA Option ROM is not required to boot, but if one needs graphics in pre-OS
32 stage, it should be included (if not using libgfxinit).
36 ### Internal programming
38 The main SPI flash can be accessed using [flashrom]. The first version
39 supporting the chipset is flashrom v1.1. Firmware an be easily flashed
40 with internal programmer (either BIOS region or full image).
42 ### External programming
44 The system has an internal flash chip which is a 8 MiB soldered SOIC-8 chip.
45 This chip is located on the bottom side of the case (the radiator side). One
46 has to remove all screws (in order): 4 top cover screws, 4 side cover screws
47 (one side is enough), 4 mainboard screws, 4 CPU screws (under DIMMs). Lift up
48 the mainboard and turn around it. The flash chip is near the SoC on the DIMM
49 slots side. Use a clip (or solder the wires) to program the chip. Specifically,
50 it's a Macronix MX25L6406E (3.3V) -[datasheet][MX25L6406E].
54 - After flashing with external programmer it is always required to reset RTC
55 with jumper or disconnect coin cell temporarily. Only then the platform will
57 - FW6A does not always work reliably with all DIMMs. Linux happens to hang or
58 gives many panics. This issue was present also with vendor BIOS.
59 - Sometimes FSPMemoryInit return errors or hangs (especially with 2 DIMMs
60 connected). A workaround is to power cycle the board (even a few times) or
61 temporarily disconnect DIMM when platform is powered off.
62 - When using libgfxinit and SeaBIOS bootsplash, the red color is dim
66 Not all mainboard's peripherals and functions were tested because of lack of
67 the cables or not being populated on the board case.
69 - Internal USB 2.0 headers
70 - Boot with cleaned ME
74 - USB 3.0 front ports (SeaBIOS and Linux)
76 - HDMI port with libgfxinit and VGA Option ROM
80 - Super I/O serial port 0 (RS232 via front RJ45 connector)
81 - SMBus (reading SPD from DIMMs)
82 - Initialization with KBL FSP 2.0 (with MemoryInit issues)
83 - SeaBIOS payload (version rel-1.12.1)
84 - Mini PCIe debug card connected to mSATA (mSATA slot has LPC signals routed)
86 - Booting Debian, Ubuntu, FreeBSD
90 There are 3 variants of FW6 boards: FW6A, FW6B and FW6C. They differ only in
96 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
97 | CPU | Intel Celeron 3865U |
98 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
99 | PCH | Kaby Lake U w/ iHDCP2.2 Base |
100 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
101 | Super I/O, EC | ITE IT8772E |
102 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
103 | Coprocessor | Intel Management Engine |
104 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
110 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
111 | CPU | Intel Core i3-7100U |
112 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
113 | PCH | Kaby Lake U w/ iHDCP2.2 Premium |
114 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
115 | Super I/O, EC | ITE IT8772E |
116 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
117 | Coprocessor | Intel Management Engine |
118 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
124 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
125 | CPU | Intel Core i5-7200U |
126 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
127 | PCH | Kaby Lake U w/ iHDCP2.2 Premium |
128 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
129 | Super I/O, EC | ITE IT8772E |
130 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
131 | Coprocessor | Intel Management Engine |
132 +------------------+--------------------------------------------------+
135 [Protectli FW6]: https://protectli.com/vault-6-port/
136 [MX25L6406E]: https://www.macronix.com/Lists/Datasheet/Attachments/7370/MX25L6406E,%203V,%2064Mb,%20v1.9.pdf
137 [flashrom]: https://flashrom.org/Flashrom