Japanese Sony Vaio VPCSB3AJ no battery orange light blinking

Hello,

My name is Federico and I'm experiencing problems with my GF's laptop (VAIO VPCSB3AJ). I had to reinstall Windows 7 because it was really unusable. Slow, sometimes not responding and filled with trash.

The installation went OK, Windows 7 is now running great. The drivers are OK too (I think), but the battery is not charging. It started with the message (your battery is fake, etc etc) which I disabled by deleting the folder. Not a big deal, except that the battery is blocked at 0% (plugged in, NOT charging). It was the only thing that was working properly before reinstalling Windows.

I cleaned the contacts, and reinstalled BIOS drivers but no luck.

The orange light is constantly flashing, and unless I boot up the computer as soon as I plug in the charger, it won't let me start it.

I read somewhere that I need to disable the TPM (BIOS, under security tab) but it is not there. I've also seen some Hacked Bios with Advenced options, but that option doesn't seem to be added (Even so, when I try running the .exe I get 'battery not installed' message).

Any idea?

Thank you!!

 

Look through the various Windows 7 clean install guides on this site and find the one closest to your model. If your battery is original Sony then installing the various Sony utilities will fix the problem.

Just to give you an idea of what is involved, here are the instructions for my model:

Note that some of these need to be installed in compatibility mode for the OS for which they were intended. Additionally, some will need administrator privileges. The guide will tell you what to do.

Once you have installed all these, if you're still having problems. shut down, unplug the adapter, remove the battery, press the power button for a few seconds, wait for 30 minutes, then put back the battery, plug in the adapter and start.

 

Thanks
So my best option is to re install everything again? that'll take some time.

What about Windows 8? Should I give it a try? We don't really like it, but if it helps..

Anyways, I guess it's time to backup again.

Thank you!

 

I'll say it again - look for the guide for your model. Others before you have struggled with the same issues and posted guides to help you avoid the same mistakes that they made. The stuff that Sony provides on the support page for the model in question is essential, and they must be installed in the correct order, sometimes in compatibility mode and sometimes with admin rights as well.

I started with Windows 7 on my laptop, went to Windows 8, and am now with Windows 8.1 update 1. Everything works (and that is not easy where my model is concerned, so in your case it should be painless).

It is a good idea to disconnect from the internet while installing Windows, staying disconnected until you have finished installing the drivers that you've carefully downloaded and saved. That way Windows will not feel the urge to butt in with drivers from Windows Update. You can let Windows do its thing for generic hardware, but stick with the Sony stuff for the motherboard and battery.

 

Thanks. I can't find anything about my specific model (VPCSB3AJ) in English, but I found this post that claims to be valid for SA/SB series. I'll give it a try right now.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...b-windows-7-clean-install-backup-restore.html

I'll let you guys know. Thank you once again.

 

Hey, just installed everything and nothing. I did follow the order.

Battery plugged in, not charging. Blinking orange light.

Any other ideas guys? Thank you

 

I had this issue several times. I had to replace charger board sometimes. However, I usually tried remove cmos battery first and it fixed the issue in some cases.

 

I had this issue several times. I had to replace charger board sometimes. However, I usually tried remove cmos battery first and it fixed the issue in some cases.

 

Where is it? Is it under the motherboard? I gave up because it was looking dangerous. I put it back together and everything is working, except for the lights and sound (I think I messed up the plain, orange connector).

 

Unfortunately, cmos battery is on other side of the board which means you have to remove the board also.
For plain orange cable check both ends to make sure it sit all the way in properly.
To remove palm rest, you should unplug that cable and white cable underneath hard drive. Also remember 3 big fat head screws under DVD.

Sent from my SGP312 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for your help. Will see if I get brave enough to give it a shot.

Is this normal? I don't get why something like this can happen when I just reinstalled Windows.

Thank you

 

Alright so I was able to disconnect the CMOS battery. I know I did it right because the clock and date went back to 2009.

It didn't work, the battery is not charging. 0% Plugged in, not charging

Any other ideas?? Thank you guys,

Fede

 

The guide you linked to doesn't recommend installing the event viewer. Now that's an essential for my laptop model, so I'll butt out now and let someone who knows about your model help out.

If you haven't deleted the recovery partition, see if doing a complete system restore solves your problem.

 

Do you have Vaio Control Center installed? Do you have Vaio Care installed? Do you have Sony shared Libraries installed? I'd suggest uninstalling all 3 and see if the battery charges up! This makes logical sense since they are the programs that work in sync to make sure all of the Sony software & hardware are running properly. Also uninstall the ISB mgr, not just delete the folder. You laptop should then just detect a generic battery under Windows 7.

 

Uninstalled 3 of them but still not charging. I'm not sure how to uninstall the ISB Mgr, since it's not listed on the Program and Features list.

I had Care and Control Center. Not sure about "Shared Libraries", but I had one called "Sony drivers etc etc".

I'm really confused. 'Charger board' maybe? Is that expensive and is it easy to replace?

Thank you

 

Yes, both ends are properly connected (I Believe) but still no lights/sound. What's the name of the cable? I think I need a new one.

The white one is fine. It controls the keyboard and touchpad, right?

Thank you

 

No more ideas? I guess I'll need to take it to a Sony Store to see if they can help.

Do you guys have any other recommendation?

Thanks!

 

I have a Vaio VPCSB11FX with similar symptoms. Recently the original battery seemed to fail (orange battery light flashing ~3Hz, would not power on unless battery was removed). Maybe expected after 2 to 3 years.

I installed a replacement battery from Sony (not aftermarket). Similar symptoms. I disabled the ISB Utility using msconfig. The new battery is detected and reports as Plugged In Not Charging 0% available. Orange battery indicator light flashing ~3Hz.

Any suggestions beyond what is already on this thread?

Thank you!

 

Appreciate any suggestions. I will keep trying and post results.
Thank you
Koji

 

I forgot to mention...

I ran the BIOS update (ISBSYS-00269046-1040) it says my BIOS is already up to date.

I also tried pressing the battery off button under various conditions as described in the manual.

The new battery appears to work and may actually be charging; it seems to power the laptop with the charging adapter removed. However, I have no idea how much charge is remaining; in fact, whether it is charging at all. And to start up or wake while the power adapter is connected and orange battery indicator light flashing, I need to press the battery off button first otherwise it will ignore the power on button.

There must be some way to recover from this condition!

Thank you!
Koji

 

Hi Koji,
Did you find a fix? Thanks

Hello,
Does anyone have the fix for battery "plugged in, not charging" problem. I have a sony SVS151190X. The battery light kept blinking fast. I have tried several methods posted on the internet without success.
1. Plugged in a known good battery ==> does not help.
2. Took off battery, unplug cord, press an hold start button for 1 min, and left the laptop overnight, then reinstatll the battery ==> does not help
3. press the RAM for 30 seconds ==> does not help
4. remove the Microsoft ACPI driver and reinstall ==> does not help
5. press the battery reset button on the back of the laptop ==> does not help
6. IBS utility turned off ==> does not help.
7. Factory restore windows 7 and software ==> does not help.
8. Clean install either windows 7 or windows 8 ==> does not help.
9. Tried BIOS either EFI or legacy ==> does not help.
10. disable TPM ==> does not help

 

No I did not find a fix.

It has been almost 3 months since Sony Canada told me they would help me get this resolved. They said the first step is to ship me a battery to see whether it resolves. They say they ordered the battery mid June, but have been unable to provide tracking info. I suspect it has not shipped yet.

If anyone else has this problem, please share your experience.

Thank you
Koji