Current BIOS upgrade for Lenovo Carbon X1 (3rd gen) breaks tp_smapi

[Ingineerix]

Symptom data

Everything was working fine yesterday until I applied the 1.21 BIOS update, now tp_smapi fails to insert.

Lenovo will not allow BIOS downgrade (spent 5 hours trying).

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS using PPA for current versions

Kernel: Linux version 4.13.0-26-generic (buildd@lgw01-amd64-031) (gcc version 5.4.0 20160609 (Ubuntu 5.4.0-6ubuntu116.04.5)) #2916.04.2-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jan 9 22:00:44 UTC 2018

---

$ sudo modprobe tp_smapi
modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'tp_smapi': No such device or address

---

dmesg:
[ 368.502049] thinkpad_ec: thinkpad_ec_request_row: arg0 rejected: (0x01:0x00)->0x00
[ 368.502052] thinkpad_ec: thinkpad_ec_read_row: failed requesting row: (0x01:0x00)->0xfffffffb
[ 368.502055] thinkpad_ec: initial ec test failed

---

$ sudo tlp-stat -b
--- TLP 1.0 --------------------------------------------

+++ ThinkPad Battery Features
tp-smapi = inactive (unsupported hardware)
tpacpi-bat = active

+++ ThinkPad Battery Status: BAT0 (Main / Internal)
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/manufacturer = LGC
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/model_name = 00HW002
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/cycle_count = (not supported)
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/energy_full_design = 50220 [mWh]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/energy_full = 39660 [mWh]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/energy_now = 39580 [mWh]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/power_now = 0 [mW]
/sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/status = Unknown (threshold effective)

tpacpi-bat.BAT0.startThreshold = 82 [%]
tpacpi-bat.BAT0.stopThreshold = 86 [%]
tpacpi-bat.BAT0.forceDischarge = 0

Charge = 99.8 [%]
Capacity = 79.0 [%]

---

$ sudo dmidecode

dmidecode 3.0

Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.7 present.
66 structures occupying 3124 bytes.
Table at 0xACBFD000.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 222, 14 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
DE 0E 00 00 01 99 00 03 10 01 20 02 30 03
Strings:
Memory Init Complete
End of DXE Phase
BIOS Boot Complete

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 14, 8 bytes
Group Associations
Name: Intel(R) Silicon View Technology
Items: 1
0x0000 ()

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 134, 13 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
86 0D 02 00 12 07 15 20 00 00 00 00 00

Handle 0x0003, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L1 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 32 kB
Maximum Size: 32 kB
Supported SRAM Types:
Synchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Parity
System Type: Data
Associativity: 8-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0004, DMI type 4, 42 bytes
Processor Information
Socket Designation: U3E1
Type: Central Processor
Family: Core i7
Manufacturer: Intel(R) Corporation
ID: D4 06 03 00 FF FB EB BF
Signature: Type 0, Family 6, Model 61, Stepping 4
Flags:
FPU (Floating-point unit on-chip)
VME (Virtual mode extension)
DE (Debugging extension)
PSE (Page size extension)
TSC (Time stamp counter)
MSR (Model specific registers)
PAE (Physical address extension)
MCE (Machine check exception)
CX8 (CMPXCHG8 instruction supported)
APIC (On-chip APIC hardware supported)
SEP (Fast system call)
MTRR (Memory type range registers)
PGE (Page global enable)
MCA (Machine check architecture)
CMOV (Conditional move instruction supported)
PAT (Page attribute table)
PSE-36 (36-bit page size extension)
CLFSH (CLFLUSH instruction supported)
DS (Debug store)
ACPI (ACPI supported)
MMX (MMX technology supported)
FXSR (FXSAVE and FXSTOR instructions supported)
SSE (Streaming SIMD extensions)
SSE2 (Streaming SIMD extensions 2)
SS (Self-snoop)
HTT (Multi-threading)
TM (Thermal monitor supported)
PBE (Pending break enabled)
Version: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5600U CPU @ 2.60GHz
Voltage: 1.1 V
External Clock: 100 MHz
Max Speed: 3600 MHz
Current Speed: 2600 MHz
Status: Populated, Enabled
Upgrade: Socket BGA1168
L1 Cache Handle: 0x0005
L2 Cache Handle: 0x0006
L3 Cache Handle: 0x0007
Serial Number: None
Asset Tag: None
Part Number: None
Core Count: 2
Core Enabled: 2
Thread Count: 4
Characteristics:
64-bit capable
Multi-Core
Hardware Thread
Execute Protection
Enhanced Virtualization
Power/Performance Control

Handle 0x0005, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L1 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 32 kB
Maximum Size: 32 kB
Supported SRAM Types:
Synchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Parity
System Type: Instruction
Associativity: 8-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L2 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 256 kB
Maximum Size: 256 kB
Supported SRAM Types:
Synchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC
System Type: Unified
Associativity: 8-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L3 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 3
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 4096 kB
Maximum Size: 4096 kB
Supported SRAM Types:
Synchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Multi-bit ECC
System Type: Unified
Associativity: 16-way Set-associative

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 129, 8 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
81 08 08 00 01 01 02 01
Strings:
Intel_ASF
Intel_ASF_001

Handle 0x0009, DMI type 130, 20 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
82 14 09 00 24 41 4D 54 01 01 01 01 01 A5 FF 03
01 00 01 00

Handle 0x000A, DMI type 131, 64 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
83 40 0A 00 35 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 00 07 00
F8 00 C3 9C 00 00 00 00 09 C0 00 00 00 00 0A 00
BA 0B 38 00 00 00 00 00 C8 00 A2 15 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 22 00 00 00 76 50 72 6F 00 00 00 00

Handle 0x000C, DMI type 1, 27 bytes
System Information
Manufacturer: LENOVO
Product Name: 20BSCTO1WW
Version: ThinkPad X1 Carbon 3rd
Serial Number: R90GJTKZ
UUID: C810C581-546A-11CB-BA8F-AAA50C94D780
Wake-up Type: Power Switch
SKU Number: LENOVO_MT_20BS_BU_Think_FM_ThinkPad X1 Carbon 3rd
Family: ThinkPad X1 Carbon 3rd

Handle 0x000D, DMI type 2, 15 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: LENOVO
Product Name: 20BSCTO1WW
Version: SDK0E50512 STD
Serial Number: W1KS56W11AK
Asset Tag: Not Available
Features:
Board is a hosting board
Board is replaceable
Location In Chassis: Not Available
Chassis Handle: 0x0000
Type: Motherboard
Contained Object Handles: 0

Handle 0x000E, DMI type 3, 22 bytes
Chassis Information
Manufacturer: LENOVO
Type: Notebook
Lock: Not Present
Version: None
Serial Number: R90GJTKZ
Asset Tag: No Asset Information
Boot-up State: Unknown
Power Supply State: Unknown
Thermal State: Unknown
Security Status: Unknown
OEM Information: 0x00000000
Height: Unspecified
Number Of Power Cords: Unspecified
Contained Elements: 0
SKU Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: Not Available
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: USB 1
External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
Port Type: USB

Handle 0x0010, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: Not Available
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: USB 2
External Connector Type: Access Bus (USB)
Port Type: USB

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0012, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0013, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: Not Available
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Ethernet
External Connector Type: RJ-45
Port Type: Network Port

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: Not Available
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: External Monitor
External Connector Type: DB-15 female
Port Type: Video Port

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: Not Available
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Mini DisplayPort
External Connector Type: Other
Port Type: Video Port

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x001B, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x001C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: Not Available
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack1
External Connector Type: Mini Jack (headphones)
Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x001D, DMI type 126, 9 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x001E, DMI type 9, 17 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: Media Card Slot
Type: Other
Current Usage: Available
Length: Other
Characteristics:
Hot-plug devices are supported
Bus Address: 0000:00:00.0

Handle 0x001F, DMI type 126, 17 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0020, DMI type 9, 17 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: SimCard Slot
Type: Other
Current Usage: Available
Length: Other
Characteristics: None
Bus Address: 0000:00:00.0

Handle 0x0021, DMI type 12, 5 bytes
System Configuration Options

Handle 0x0022, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
Language Description Format: Abbreviated
Installable Languages: 1
en-US
Currently Installed Language: en-US

Handle 0x0023, DMI type 22, 26 bytes
Portable Battery
Location: Front
Manufacturer: LGC
Name: 00HW002
Design Capacity: 50220 mWh
Design Voltage: 15200 mV
SBDS Version: 03.01
Maximum Error: Unknown
SBDS Serial Number: 040E
SBDS Manufacture Date: 2015-06-21
SBDS Chemistry: LiP
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x0024, DMI type 126, 26 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0025, DMI type 18, 23 bytes
32-bit Memory Error Information
Type: OK
Granularity: Unknown
Operation: Unknown
Vendor Syndrome: Unknown
Memory Array Address: Unknown
Device Address: Unknown
Resolution: Unknown

Handle 0x0026, DMI type 21, 7 bytes
Built-in Pointing Device
Type: Track Point
Interface: PS/2
Buttons: 3

Handle 0x0027, DMI type 21, 7 bytes
Built-in Pointing Device
Type: Touch Pad
Interface: PS/2
Buttons: 2

Handle 0x0028, DMI type 131, 22 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
83 16 28 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 01
Strings:
TVT-Enablement

Handle 0x0029, DMI type 136, 6 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
88 06 29 00 5A 5A

Handle 0x002A, DMI type 16, 23 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 16 GB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x002B, DMI type 17, 34 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x002A
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 4096 MB
Form Factor: Chip
Set: None
Locator: ChannelA
Bank Locator: BANK 0
Type: DDR3
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 1600 MHz
Manufacturer: Elpida
Serial Number: None
Asset Tag: None
Part Number: EDJ8416E6MB-GN-F
Rank: Unknown
Configured Clock Speed: 1600 MHz

Handle 0x002C, DMI type 17, 34 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x002A
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 4096 MB
Form Factor: Chip
Set: None
Locator: ChannelB
Bank Locator: BANK 2
Type: DDR3
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 1600 MHz
Manufacturer: Elpida
Serial Number: None
Asset Tag: None
Part Number: EDJ8416E6MB-GN-F
Rank: Unknown
Configured Clock Speed: 1600 MHz

Handle 0x002D, DMI type 19, 31 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x001FFFFFFFF
Range Size: 8 GB
Physical Array Handle: 0x002A
Partition Width: 2

Handle 0x002E, DMI type 134, 16 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
86 10 2E 00 00 53 54 4D 20 01 01 00 00 00 01 02
Strings:
TPM INFO
System Reserved

Handle 0x002F, DMI type 133, 5 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
85 05 2F 00 01
Strings:
KHOIHGIUCCHHII

Handle 0x0030, DMI type 135, 19 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
87 13 30 00 54 50 07 02 42 41 59 20 49 2F 4F 20
04 00 00

Handle 0x0031, DMI type 0, 24 bytes
BIOS Information
Vendor: LENOVO
Version: N14ET43W (1.21 )
Release Date: 12/22/2017
Address: 0xE0000
Runtime Size: 128 kB
ROM Size: 16384 kB
Characteristics:
PCI is supported
PNP is supported
BIOS is upgradeable
BIOS shadowing is allowed
Boot from CD is supported
Selectable boot is supported
ACPI is supported
USB legacy is supported
BIOS boot specification is supported
Targeted content distribution is supported
UEFI is supported
BIOS Revision: 1.21
Firmware Revision: 1.9

Handle 0x0032, DMI type 15, 31 bytes
System Event Log
Area Length: 146 bytes
Header Start Offset: 0x0000
Header Length: 16 bytes
Data Start Offset: 0x0010
Access Method: General-purpose non-volatile data functions
Access Address: 0x00F0
Status: Valid, Not Full
Change Token: 0x00000008
Header Format: Type 1
Supported Log Type Descriptors: 4
Descriptor 1: POST error
Data Format 1: POST results bitmap
Descriptor 2: PCI system error
Data Format 2: None
Descriptor 3: System reconfigured
Data Format 3: None
Descriptor 4: Log area reset/cleared
Data Format 4: None

Handle 0x0033, DMI type 140, 67 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
8C 43 33 00 4C 45 4E 4F 56 4F 0B 00 01 87 CD 73
F5 45 2C 41 02 5C B3 2C 1C 4B 15 15 7B 05 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00

Handle 0x0034, DMI type 140, 19 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
8C 13 34 00 4C 45 4E 4F 56 4F 0B 04 01 B2 00 4D
53 20 00

Handle 0x0035, DMI type 135, 18 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
87 12 35 00 54 50 07 01 01 E9 0E 00 00 F0 0E 00
00 80

Handle 0x0036, DMI type 140, 19 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
8C 13 36 00 4C 45 4E 4F 56 4F 0B 05 01 05 00 00
00 00 00

Handle 0x0037, DMI type 140, 23 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
8C 17 37 00 4C 45 4E 4F 56 4F 0B 06 01 8A 13 04
00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Handle 0x0038, DMI type 24, 5 bytes
Hardware Security
Power-On Password Status: Disabled
Keyboard Password Status: Not Implemented
Administrator Password Status: Enabled
Front Panel Reset Status: Not Implemented

Handle 0x0039, DMI type 132, 7 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
84 07 39 00 01 DA 36

Handle 0x003A, DMI type 140, 15 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
8C 0F 3A 00 4C 45 4E 4F 56 4F 0B 07 01 01 02
Strings:
N14HT36W
04/07/2016

Handle 0x003B, DMI type 140, 43 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
8C 2B 3B 00 4C 45 4E 4F 56 4F 0B 08 01 FF FF FF
FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF

Handle 0x003C, DMI type 221, 68 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
DD 44 3C 00 09 01 00 02 08 00 00 00 02 03 FF FF
FF FF FF 04 00 FF FF FF 03 00 05 00 FF FF FF 03
00 06 00 FF FF FF FF FF 07 00 19 00 00 00 00 08
00 2C 00 00 00 00 09 00 03 00 00 00 00 0A 00 01
00 00 00 00
Strings:
Reference Code - PCH - Lynxpoint
PCH-CRID Status
Enabled
PCH-CRID Original Value
PCH-CRID New Value
OPROM - RST - RAID
LPTLp Bx Hsio Version
LPTH Cx Hsio Version
PCH9S A0 Hsio Version
WPTLp B0 Hsio Version

Handle 0x003D, DMI type 221, 26 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
DD 1A 3D 00 03 01 00 02 08 00 00 00 02 00 0A 00
00 07 00 03 04 0A 00 38 BA 0B
Strings:
Reference Code - ME 10.0
MEBx version
ME Firmware Version
5MB SKU

Handle 0x003E, DMI type 221, 26 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
DD 1A 3E 00 03 01 00 02 08 00 00 00 02 00 00 00
00 28 00 03 00 00 05 00 00 00
Strings:
Reference Code - CPU
uCode Version
TXT ACM version

Handle 0x003F, DMI type 221, 54 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
DD 36 3F 00 07 01 00 02 08 00 00 00 02 00 02 07
01 00 00 03 00 02 08 00 00 00 04 05 FF FF FF FF
FF 06 00 FF FF FF 09 00 07 00 FF FF FF 09 00 08
00 FF FF FF 00 00
Strings:
Reference Code - SA - System Agent
Reference Code - MRC
SA - PCIe Version
SA-CRID Status
Enabled
SA-CRID Original Value
SA-CRID New Value
OPROM - VBIOS

Handle 0x0040, DMI type 221, 12 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
DD 0C 40 00 01 01 00 02 08 00 00 00
Strings:
Reference Code - Intel Rapid Start

Handle 0x0041, DMI type 14, 20 bytes
Group Associations
Name: Firmware Version Info
Items: 5
0x003C ()
0x003D ()
0x003E ()
0x003F ()
0x0040 ()

Handle 0xFEFF, DMI type 127, 4 bytes
End Of Table

[linrunner]

I think the output is unmistakable:

tp-smapi = inactive (unsupported hardware)

tp-smapi is deprecated and modules do not load since the Intel Ivy Bridge generation e.g. *30 ThinkPad models from 2012(!). So your hardware was never compatible with tp-smapi and your claim is invalid.

tlp-stat's "(unsupported hardware)" reflects just that fact.

Btw: tp-smapi is not maintained here, so I won't accept an issue against it anyway. You could file an issue here, but I advise to spare your time. There won't be support for recent models.