Install Classic Keyboard on xx30 Series ThinkPads - Revision history

Mechkbfan: Added links to reports of mouse buttons no longer working and suggested fix

2023-05-20T04:45:46Z

Added links to reports of mouse buttons no longer working and suggested fix

Bugmenot2: removed some redundant text, e.g. mentioning ThinkPad 24/7 for no real reason

2020-05-15T14:41:54Z

removed some redundant text, e.g. mentioning ThinkPad 24/7 for no real reason

Hamish: /* Steps to patch your Firmware */ Really cannot recommend anyone does this manually - also all those hand patches are out of date

2019-09-21T10:43:41Z

‎Steps to patch your Firmware: Really cannot recommend anyone does this manually - also all those hand patches are out of date

Lentinj: Add link to decent step-by-step images

2019-02-23T08:57:33Z

Add link to decent step-by-step images

Pkazmierski: /* Method 1 (X230 only): Replace the X230 palmrest with the X220 one */

2018-10-05T13:33:20Z

‎Method 1 (X230 only): Replace the X230 palmrest with the X220 one

Pkazmierski: Lots of cleaninjg up - removing personal remarks and the like, updating the info (palmrests, software, appropriate keyboards), less T430, more xx30, re-flashing => reflashing, the differences between the classic keyboard and chiclet one, manufactuters.

2018-09-28T19:01:48Z

Lots of cleaninjg up - removing personal remarks and the like, updating the info (palmrests, software, appropriate keyboards), less T430, more xx30, re-flashing => reflashing, the differences between the classic keyboard and chiclet one, manufactuters.

Show changes

Hamish: /* Method 1: Replace the xx30 Palmrest with a xx20 Palmrest */

2018-01-28T12:07:07Z

‎Method 1: Replace the xx30 Palmrest with a xx20 Palmrest

Yttrium: /* Conclusion */

2018-01-23T16:40:52Z

‎Conclusion

Hamish: /* Steps to patch your Firmware */

2017-06-09T01:50:53Z

‎Steps to patch your Firmware

Hamish: /* Steps to patch your Firmware */

2016-08-16T23:43:20Z

‎Steps to patch your Firmware

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:45, 20 May 2023
Line 25:		Line 25:

	Further investigations on three keyboards shows that the over-current condition described above quickly lead to the same failure each time - a small burnout on the keyboard just after the retaining bar (see circled area on photo below). This burnout has had the effect of removing the short circuit and stopping any other issues. [[File:X220_keyboard_burn.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|X220 keyboard, showing burn mark]]}}		Further investigations on three keyboards shows that the over-current condition described above quickly lead to the same failure each time - a small burnout on the keyboard just after the retaining bar (see circled area on photo below). This burnout has had the effect of removing the short circuit and stopping any other issues. [[File:X220_keyboard_burn.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|X220 keyboard, showing burn mark]]}}
		+
		+	{{NOTE\|There have been several reports of the physical mouse buttons no longer working after the mod. It maybe from too thick tape and use thinner, or keep reseating.
		+	[https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/hp3li9/mouse_button_failure_after_x220_keyboard_swap_on/ Reddit Example A], [https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/7z7mxp/classic_keyboard_in_x230_mouse_buttons_not_working/ Reddit Example B], [https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/8dp06r/just_swapped_my_x230_with_an_x220_keyboard_the/ Reddit Example C], [https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/sxqlo7/x230_classic_keyboard_swap_trackpoint_buttons_not/ Reddit Example D]
		+	}}

	===Key Functionality===		===Key Functionality===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:T430newkeyboard.jpg|thumb|floatright|300px|You can have your cake, and eat it, too!]]
-The Lenovo Thinkpad xx30 series (T430, X230, T530 etc.) was the first generation to use chiclet style keys. While many prefer the classic keyboards, the general consensus is that the chiclet-style one doesn't feel far off. It does however have a different layout and is missing some keys. It does have a possibility of being backlit though, which the classic one does not. (Comparison: [http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/1966/T430s_hero_01.jpg T430] | [http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/images/products/4159_3.jpg T420])
+{{NOTE|This modification doesn't apply to the T430u, T431s, X130e, X131e, X230s, E330, E335, E430, E430c, E431, E435, E530, E530c, E531, E535, due to a completely different keyboard layout and keyboard connector. It may apply to the L430 and the L530 however, but there are no embedded controller modifications available to fix the potentially mismatched keys.}}
-It is possible to easily fit the classic keyboard into xx30 series chassis.
+It is possible to easily fit the classic keyboard into xx30 series chassis, with some hassle, of course.
 All keyboards from the xx20 series are compatible. [https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd010629 Refer here] for the list of suitable FRUs. The first columns is ALPS keyboard (generally regarded as the worst), the second row is Chicony (regarded as good) and the third row is NMB (regarded at the best). The differences between Chicony and NMB are most likely minor.
 ==Warning==

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:43, 21 September 2019
Line 187:		Line 187:

	Full details on how to create and apply the patch are included in the README of the git repository at https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec. It is the most up-to-date source for instructions and files.		Full details on how to create and apply the patch are included in the README of the git repository at https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec. It is the most up-to-date source for instructions and files.
−
−	~~=== Steps to patch your Firmware ===~~
−	It is best to use the git repository to build patched images, however the this method can also be used. Keep in mind that there shouldn't be a big version difference between your current BIOS and the BIOS from the .iso.
−
−	~~To use the manual process, follow these steps:~~
−
−	~~# get the latest Lenovo update ISO image for your laptop (See links below)~~
−	~~# apply the ISO patch (from the links below) for your specific firmware file (See discussion below for more on this)~~
−	~~# put the updated ISO image onto a CDROM and boot it, you will be prompted to flash your firmware~~
−
−	~~{\| class="wikitable"~~
−	~~! Model \|\| Lenovo ISO \|\| ISO patch \|\| EC Firmware Version \|\| Notes~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| t430 \|\| [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g1uj38us.iso] \|\| [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/3565524b7f5cd162f911867557414d86] \|\| G1HT35WW \|\| tested and working~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| t430s \|\| [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g7uj18us.iso] \|\| [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/966896fe2f54d9eb6544b8217980f06b] \|\| G7HT39WW \|\| tested and working~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| t530 and t530i \|\| [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g4uj30us.iso] \|\| [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/6d3061b1845cf0b62e676abe750caca1] \|\| G4HT39WW \|\| tested and working~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| w530 \|\| [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g5uj28us.iso] \|\| [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/7832e6fa0fa5a63217ed175179a7038d] \|\| G4HT39WW \|\| tested and working~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| x230 \|\| [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g2uj23us.iso] \|\| [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/dc9c3d8fd3cd52aeb573e6681419be79] \|\| G2HT35WW \|\| tested and working~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| x230t \|\| [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/gcuj24us.iso] \|\| [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/3b91d0c79c0908a3492c7c615d6a2870] \|\| G2HT35WW \|\| untested~~
−	\|}
−
−	~~==== How to apply the patch ====~~
−	The ISO patches linked above are text files with hexdumps showing the diff between the original and the patched version of the file. They can actually be applied by hand using a hex editor - if needed - but that would be quite tedious as they are a little large.
−
−	~~The hexpatch.pl tool from the git repo is the simplest way to apply a patch. This tool is a small perl script that is run like this: <pre>hexpatch.pl binaryfile patchfile</pre>~~
−
−	~~An even better option is to use the git repo to fully automate the building of a bootable USB disk image - just read the README in the repo for the details.~~

	==Handling mismatched keys in software==		==Handling mismatched keys in software==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ===Pinout===
-xx20 and xx30 keyboard pinouts are slightly different, so first thing you need to do is to isolate pins #25 and #29 (grab a [http://plan9.stanleylieber.com/hardware/thinkpad/x230/x230.schematics.pdf schematic] to see where they are). The reason for it is that in xx30 keyboard these pins are separated, but in xx20 one they are connected all together, shorting VCC5M_KBD (pin #25) to ground through the keyboard cable. I disassembled the keyboard and covered #25, #27 and #29 with adhesive tape (#27 is redundant since it's connected directly to ground on the motherboard). Plastic cover on the top can be easily removed, allowing to access internal keyboard connector.
+xx20 and xx30 keyboard pinouts are slightly different, so first thing you need to do is to isolate pins #25 and #29 (grab a [http://plan9.stanleylieber.com/hardware/thinkpad/x230/x230.schematics.pdf schematic] to see where they are). The reason for it is that in xx30 keyboard these pins are separated, but in xx20 one they are connected all together, shorting VCC5M_KBD (pin #25) to ground through the keyboard cable. I disassembled the keyboard and covered #25, #27 and #29 with adhesive tape (#27 is redundant since it's connected directly to ground on the motherboard). Plastic cover on the top can be easily removed, allowing to access internal keyboard connector. Step-by-step pictures of this process can be found [https://imgur.com/a/fsRe6 here].
 {|style="margin: 0 auto;"

@@ Line 165: / Line 165: @@
 {{NOTE|One of the keyboard screws might just spin in place, since it can't reach the screw hole. In that case, just push the keyboard downwards a little bit, while turning your screwdriver at the same time.}}
-Other xx20 palmrests series do not fit the xx30 chassis properly, thus this method won't work for them.
+Other xx20 palmrests do not fit the xx30 chassis properly, thus this method won't work for them.
 === Method 2: Sand down the nubs to fit in the xx30 palmrest===

@@ Line 196: / Line 196: @@
 === Method 1: Replace the xx30 Palmrest with a xx20 Palmrest ===
-The least invasive method is to replace the entire xx30 (T430/X230/W530) Palmrest with the xx20 (T420/X220/W520) Palmrest. The palmrest costs about $10-20 on eBay, search for these FRU numbers:
+The least invasive method is to replace the entire xx30 (X230/W530) Palmrest with the xx20 (X220/W520) Palmrest. The palmrest costs about $10-20 on eBay, search for these FRU numbers:
 * X220 Palmrest
 ** No fingerprint reader - 04W1411
@@ Line 209: / Line 207: @@
 # Install and plug in the xx20 palmrest.
 # Then insert the keyboard; it should fit perfectly.
 === Method 2: Sand down the nubs to fit in the T430 Palmrest===

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:40, 23 January 2018
Line 287:		Line 287:
	While some keys won't work, it is completely possible to transplant a T410/T420 keyboard into a T430 and use it almost as if nothing ever changed. Now you too can have an Ivy Bridge ThinkPad with a classic keyboard.		While some keys won't work, it is completely possible to transplant a T410/T420 keyboard into a T430 and use it almost as if nothing ever changed. Now you too can have an Ivy Bridge ThinkPad with a classic keyboard.

−	If this guide helped you at all, feel free to [mailto:tyclief@gmail.com send me an email], and if you have any comments or criticism, be sure to send that, too! I'll try and keep this guide up to date as best I can in order to support users looking to make the switch.	+	If this guide helped you at all, feel free to [mailto:tyclief@gmail.com send me an email] (T430 comments only, please), and if you have any comments or criticism, be sure to send that, too! I'll try and keep this guide up to date as best I can in order to support users looking to make the switch.

@@ Line 250: / Line 250: @@
 | t430s || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g7uj18us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/966896fe2f54d9eb6544b8217980f06b] || G7HT39WW || tested and working
 |-
-| t530 and t530i || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g4uj30us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/6d3061b1845cf0b62e676abe750caca1] || G4HT39WW || untested
+| t530 and t530i || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g4uj30us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/6d3061b1845cf0b62e676abe750caca1] || G4HT39WW || tested and working
 |-
 | w530 || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g5uj28us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/7832e6fa0fa5a63217ed175179a7038d] || G4HT39WW || tested and working

@@ Line 248: / Line 248: @@
 | t430 || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g1uj38us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/3565524b7f5cd162f911867557414d86] || G1HT35WW || tested and working
 |-
-| t430s || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g7uj18us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/966896fe2f54d9eb6544b8217980f06b] || G7HT39WW || untested
+| t430s || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g7uj18us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/966896fe2f54d9eb6544b8217980f06b] || G7HT39WW || tested and working
 |-
 | t530 and t530i || [https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/g4uj30us.iso] || [https://gist.github.com/hamishcoleman/6d3061b1845cf0b62e676abe750caca1] || G4HT39WW || untested