Problem with a lower cost battery

This is in regards to my Sony S460, but I think the problem I found might apply to most of Sony's current notebooks.

I wanted to get a spare battery for my S460, and decided to get a high capacity version (7200mAh VGP-BPL2). The problem was that Sony sells them for a very high $299. So instead, I ordered an OEM replacement for $119 from here. I also found a $99 version here, but while the spec was correct, the photo wasn't (that's the std batt), and the batteries are LG (Korean) vs Japan (not sure it really matters anymore) for the $119 version.

So anyway, the battery was quickly delivered to me. It had a sticker warning the battery wouldn't work unless it was first fully charged, so I first charged it up. By the way, the fit and finish of this battery looked excellent and it's a perfect match for the S460. It even fits better than the standard Sony battery and doesn't rattle nealy as much.

It did seems to charge fine in my notebook, and showed it was 100% charged when I booted up under AC power with the battery installed. But about a minute after booting up, a big problem occured. I got an error message saying the battery either wasn't properly inserted or wasn't a genuine Sony, and that the notebook would go into hibernation and the battery must be removed. It gave me no choice, but to let the notebook hibernate, even though I was running on AC power. And it would not accept the battery as shown by a rapidly flashing battery indicator on the notebook.

I removed the battery and put it back in (stopping the rapid flashing), and rebooted. Again, after about a minute, I got the hibernation message, whether I booted up on AC or battery power. I even tried disabling hibernation in the power profile, but I still got the message and instead of hibernating, the notebook went into standby. This was a major pain, and I thought the battery was not compatible.

But then I thought about it, and figured that message must be from some Sony software running in the background, because it's certainly something I've ever seen in Windows. So I looked in my Starup files, and found there are several files running from Program Files/Sony/... I tried eliminating a couple of suspects, and finally found which program is causing the problem. It's called "ISBMgr.exe" and is in Program Files/Sony/ISB Utility/.

After removing that file from my startup, my new battery is now working fine. I haven't by any means fully tested it yet, but it does seem to give at least 50% more run time than the standard Sony battery, as it should. All other features on my notebook seem to still be working as before.

So far as I can tell, that ISBMgr file had just 3 purposes; to use up system memory, to make your notebook run slower, and to force you to buy expensive Sony batteries. I've found no other purpose for it.

I'm pretty pissed that Sony would stoop to this. Anyway I just want to let you know how to get a generic OEM low cost battery to work on your Sony notebook. And even if you don't get an OEM spare battery, I'd suggest removing the ISBMgr file anyway. I also removed two other Sony files from my startup; "surveysa" (either it's spyware, or it's for registering, but I already registered and it's still there), and "VAIOUpdt" (for checking for new drivers, but you could go there on your own an save memory).

 

wow that sucks, i'm planning on doing a complete format when i get my sony laptop, so i will only install the essential programs after

 

Thanks renoguy! This is just what I needed.
I had purchased an extended battery via ebay thinking that if the partnumber is the same it should work. When I got it I had the same stuff going on with the computer refusing the work and going into hibernate.
I decided to return the battery, luckily the seller had a very generous return policy.
Just before going to UPS to drop of the battery for return I decided to run one more google for sony s460 battery cheap.
Your post popped up...
I immediately removed the isbmgr via msconfig, opened the carefully packed battery, restarted with the aftermarket battery and held my breath for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes...
gasped for air, waited a little longer and wow, 3 hours later it is still working...
Shame on Sony for doing this
But I am a happy camper now
Thanks for your tip!

 

Glad I could help! And my generic extra capacity battery has been working great. Getting at least 4 1/2 hours for general stuff and web surfing, about 4 hours for watching a DVD (I'm running Centrino Hardware Control too, for lower voltage, less heat, and about 1/2 hour longer battery life).

Like I said I paid $119 for my battery, vs. Sony charging $299 (I see it for about $250 at some places). I did see one generic for $99, but the description was so bad, I wasn't sure what they were selling.

If you got a better deal with eBay, let us know! Maybe I'll get another one!

 

RENOGUY--an excellent post.

How in the world did you figure out that the culprit was ISMgr.exe? Great sleuthing.

I just bought an s270 model, and got the exact same error message as yourself. However, I dont own an aftermarket battery, I've just been using the regular Sony battery that was packaged with the unit.

I unchecked ISBMgr.exe and so far the error has not come back.

If it does I will post.

Thanks again guys.

 

Battery loose

Got a s460p today ...love it.

Ordered the battery replacement in the post.

The loose battery problem is easily solved.

Add three 1/4 inch strips of duct tape to the inside face of the battery. One on top of the other on both sides of the plug in.

It will bridge the gap and make it fit like a glove. No more rattle nice and tight!

Hard to believe you have to use duct tape for a such and expensive unit.

I have not heat issue though! Thank God. I ws concerned with all the posted problems.

Cheers Pitbull119

 

Wow...kudos on the discovery. My battery issue at this point has just come down to a dead battery, but your post got rid of the message, which at this point has resulted in a 90% happier me.

Sony really needs to review their programs for deficiencies and/or annoyances...

Again, thanks.

 

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum so please bear with me if I get things wrong. I have a sony Vaio notebook VGN-T1XP on which the battery died, son was a bit rough replacing battery and bent two pins. When they were straightened and battery replaced the system went into hirbernation while connected to the mains. If I start the notebook via the mains and then click in the battery, the battery light flashes contunially and the power meter shows the battery at 100% charging, unhook the mains and the laptop goes dead. So I though it was a dead battery possibly shorted by the bending of the pins and purchased a replacement - non O E M. My problem is still the same. I though I had found the answer when I saw this reply re disabling ISBmgr exe- which was an excellent bit of work. I carried out the necessary to disable it but still have the same problem. I was wondering if anyone has any other ideas as to where I go next to resolve this.
Thanks in advance

 

Hi, everyone. I too have had the "not a sony battery" screen, found the above posts, and using msconfig.exe, disabled isbMgr.exe. Sure enough, that did fix the nag screen, and the laptop appears to work fine. But, as no one has definitively studied what else that executable does, I started paying closer attention. One strange thing (unfortunately a showstopper), is that the standard windows clock has strange discontinuities. When the laptop is running normally, the clock runs normally. Sometimes, if not all the time, when the laptop goes into standby or hibernate (it actually doesn't matter if running off of AC or battery), the clock will not have advanced.

Based on a few trials (still running more to determine exact relationship), when I reboot the PC, strangely enough the clock reverts to a way previous setting - hours if not days. When I reenable ISBMgr (with a real sony battery), the symptoms go away.

Can anyone else confirm or find a counterexample? Or have any other ideas? Also, any comment on a rumor that this same executable may be responsible for fan speed control? If so, someone needs to do a more surgical hack....

Thanks,
Chuck

 

After more diagnosis, I think that, coincidentally or not, the real time clock has stopped working. As evidence, the same symptoms now happen regardless of battery type or if isbmgr.exe is enabled or not. Also, the bios time does not advance - only Windows time when windows is running.

It seems unlikely that the non-OEM battery could have scrogged the clock, but then again, it is a mighty coincidence as well.

Oh - the laptop model is an SZ-120.
-Chuck

 

I got exactly same message (2-3 times) as you renoguy, on the first days with new SZ-150 (AC plugged). Just dont remember if it was before or after doing semi-clean install. I thought that battery had been loosing contact while working in my lap. Now I work mostly on a table, but never had the same problem again....

 

hi ther folks i tried to do this with my sony vaio vgns2xp and when i tried to unistall the suggested exe my laptop would not allow it? can any one help on this matter please? its doing my head in!

 

I too have went for a lower cost battery. But, instead of a wrong battery screen, my VGN-AR150G dies on the windows loading screen. After it dies, it will not power up for about 2 min. It will reapeat this process. It will boot up in safe mode just fine though. I have disabled isbmgr process with no positive results. Any Suggestions?

 

Just brilliant!

Oleg.

 

Hey everyone,

my first time posting in this forum.
I have got the same problem with the lower cost battery, it doesnt keep the laptop on when I unplugged the adaptor (switch off right away) although the abttery showed 100% in the power meter.

I tried to remove the ISBMgr.exe, however the problem still exist. At the beginning I could not delete the file, however after reading the forum, someone mentioned that you can delete it through msconfig, which I did at the end, however the battery still does not work.

I am desperately need to change my battery with the new one, cant do anything at the moment.

I would really appreciate if anyone can let me know how to do it properly as perhaps I missed a few steps while doing it.

Thank you very much in advance.

Regards,

budiseven

 

I have a PCG-GRT vaio, and cant get a battery to work either? Dont have isbmgr anywhere, and have tried 3 different batteries. Two show as present but only stay at 1% charging, and wouldnt power up the notebook. The other powered up and charged but wouldnt show as present so had no idea of charge level or remaining time. Its the BP2NX battery, any ideas? Tried disabling powerpanel, but no luck...

 

I have SONY VAIO VGN-SZ330P, got OEM battery, had the same problem with hibernation message, removed file, message disappeared. BUT When I unplug AC power, after a second, computer shuts down and doesnt start-up with OEM battery.

I think this is some kind of hardware (maybe BIOS) protection, so I am not really sure there is something that could be done about it. I wish I am not right. The best thing would be to disassemble both genuine and OEM batteries and compare circuits. I am not gonna do this

Any progress from you guys?

Update: IT LOOKS LIKE THE OEM BATTERY IS NOT EVEN CHARGING :-(

 

Hello
I've had my VAIO SZ for almost a year now, and I did not want to shed away the $300 for the battery. I got the OEM battery, I had the usual problems that people in the forum have had, I was directed to this forum, and I went to start >> run >> msconfig, and disabled (clear the box next to) the notorious ISBMgr.exe. I've had no problems ever since, and, furthermore, I am typing right now on my SZ unplugged and using the extra capacity OEM battery.

I do have to mention that I had previously tweaked many other apps and disabled them through {start >> run >> msconfig} or through {computer management >> services and applications >> services}, thus I might have disabled another Sony application that tries to monopolize the battery market, without my knowing at the time.

To all my SZ colleagues, let me know if you have more problems with the OEM or anything else . To all other VAIO siblings, I am not sure all my advice is transferable, but I can try .

 

I bought my VAIO aprox. 2 weeks ago, so I guess this problem concerns lates VAIOs (latest models) since older SZ VAIOS dont have problems with OEM batteries, the only thing that has to be done is to disable that application. So as I mentioned before I dont think there's any help. Unfortunatelly :-( Japaneese engineers are not that stupid.

 

sneeky sony, I heard somthing about music cd`s that sony had to withdraw as they has some type of spyware on them.

regards.

John.

 

I have a rather different problem. I have a Vaio SZ160P with docking station that I've owned for a year now. Just within the last couple of days, when I plug my laptop into the docking station, my AC Power/Battery indicator blinks rapidly and won't start up or recover from hibernation. All it takes to fix this is to disconnect the laptop from the docking station and plug it back in. This has fixed the problem every time so far, but I'm concerned that the battery indicator blinking might be a sign of problems to come. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

 

Forgot to mention that the battery I have plugged in is the Sony original, not a clone.

 

It works for me now, thank you very much for the information!
Now I am going to buy more of thoses none-Sony batteries!

 

My comment was meant for the original post.

FYI, mine is a VGN-C140f, bought in Panama, Panama. Maybe the fact that it is an older machine made the solution easier to achieve.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

 

Can someone please send me the files in the Program files\Sony\ISB Utility folder? I can try to analyze and modify them so that they do not make the laptop go to hibernation mode. I sell cheap batteries for these laptops, and want to give a good solution to my customers so they have their laptop with the original programs running.

Many thanks in advance!!

 

There is a short thread, if not menioned allready, why OEM batteries cost so much and one of the possible reasons why Sony puts a battery lock on non-OEM batteries.

I don`t agree with the pricing of Sony batteries but the article explains there are risks in using lower-cost batteries due to less strict testing standards.

Original thread below.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91846#post1696321

 

I just tried the fix listed and it didn't work.

I think with the newer range they now have software and hardware locks.

When the generic battery is installed and i plug in the power adapter, the battery indicator flashes and it does not charge.

When the adapter is not plugged in, i can turn on the notebook but when it starts up, it hibernates. If i disable the ISB thing it works and it doesnt shut down.

But i'm left with the problem of not being able to charge the battery!

Can you just buy a standalone battery charger?

 

Thank you. After many inquiries with Sony, I found your solution. It works fine. I am going to initiate a lawsuit against them in NC. The help desk blamed it on every imaginable random problem they could invent. Got any solutions for the Vaio where it does not recognize the E: (CD/DVD) drive? It happens randomly and has to be some sort of software fix also. When the PC boots, the light on the DVD/CD lights up, but the drive is not found using DIR or Explorer.

 

I had the same problem. The VAIO (a VGN-FS195XP) wouldn't allow a generic battery (kept throwing up 'battery not compatible' warning and then hibernating!!!) - even though the battery is good - probably better than the rubbish Sony one the laptop was supplied with! I disabled ISBMgr.exe and the VIAO then recognised the battery BUT wouldn't charge it!!! I presume the file also incorporates the charging management software - although I read other people have removed ISBMgr and been ok - maybe it's different for a VGN-FS.

Can anyone help - does anyone know of a place where I can download an exe file to replace ISBMgr.exe that will allow me to use AND CHARGE the generic battery???

Funny - when I first rang (and paid for time on) the Sony helpline. They denied knowledge of a generic battery-blocking piece of software and advised me to upgrade the BIOS (doesn't work)! It was only when I rang back and told them the file name that they admitted it was there ... for safety reasons!!!!

 

i don't think there is a way around it. but if i'm wrong, please correct me!

it seems that it is no longer the software that is detecting the battery but also the hardware. and that's why it won't charge. it seem every time i plug in the charger, it detects that generic battery. so maybe the charger is what triggers the detection mechanism?

 

I disabled ISBMgr.exe, still cannot charge the battery as well for my Sony VGN-S56GP, unless anyone has further suggestions, looks like i am returning the battery i just bought

 

Hi

I have the same problem with a VGP-BPL2 bought on ebay, used on a Sony Vaio VGN-S5VP/B.

When the battery is inserted and the DC plugged, the battery indicator continuously flashes.

It is not possible to turn on the computer when the battery is inserted (even if DC is on).

Disabling the ISBMgr.exe with msconfig solved the problem of the popup window but the computer still refuses to power up when the battery is inserted.

The only thing I can do is to turn on the computer, then insert the battery, and then I can put it on stand by or restart the computer; but once shut down (or hibernated) it still can't be turned on with the battery inserted...

any clue please?

thanks in advance

 

and by the way, I now realized that the battery does not charge... the tests I did were with the charge the battery came with...

 

Lorebett,
I am having the exact same problem. Even with the laptop turned off the battery does not charge(i think because the light is flashing). Has anyone solved this? It is rather irritating. I am thinking it is a hardware thing though an unsolvable. So now, does anyone have a link to an official extended battery for the SZ series? Thanks,

BB

 

yeh, i think they now hardware lock it in addition to software lock...

i had this problem and i think the only way to get around is to get a 3rd party battery charger, which i could not find so i ended up returning the battery.

 

so there exist 3rd party charger?

however a problem would still remain: the laptop does not switch on...

 

it switched on for me...

there is an external charger, but its made by Sony... so i'm not sure if it can detect the 3rd party battery. I couldn't find any external chargers made by a 3rd party.

 

I use an IGO 130 with my notebook. Haven't gotten a third party extended battery for my SZ-330, but am considering it.

 

we were talking about an external charger that charges the battery by itself (ie without the notebook), not a 3rd party adapter like the one your using...

 

how do you delete those files you refer to? Do you just delete the folder?

 

I disabled that file with msconfig

however, since the battery cannot be recharged at all (probably due to some hardware lock) I had to return it

 

What version of BIOS is everyone running? Those that are having issues after the isbmgr.exe is disabled might be able to change revisions of bios and get the batteries to work.

My duracell is to be delivered today, so I am hoping it is one that works. They are giving me 30 days no hassle return, so if I can't get it to work, then I can at least get my money back. I must say, that as of late, I have been becoming more disappointed with my Sony SZ.

 

I had checked the sony site but I had found no updates to bios...

 

By the way, I reported my (bad) experience here:
http://tronprog.blogspot.com/2007/07/sony-vaio-vgns5vpb-and-low-cost-battery.html

 

has anyone manage to resolve the issues with Non Oem batteries?

 

Yeah, I'd love to know if people have figured this out. I want to get an extended battery for my CR120, but I'm not going to pay the ridiculous price of $300 from Sony.

 

I have the same issue, bought a 7200mAh non-OEM battery for my SZ-370 on eBay. It seems that Sony people have put some sort of a hardware block. The manufacturer of the Battery has told me to check the BIOS to see if there is a setting that prevents the battery from working. I didn't find anything in the BIOS which may prevent it. There is a "clear data chip" option to clear some encrypted data but I'm not sure how that'll affect the computer or solve the problem. Looks like the battery has to go back :-(. Shame on Sony for exhorbitant battery prices, otherwise this wouldn't be an issue.

 

Hi I have a 2 year old VIAO (VGN-FS215B) and the battery died recently. I had the same problems and used Windows defender to disable ISBMNGR.exe.

This allows the battey to work but there is no meter on the battery. This means it just runs out without warning which kind of nullifies the whole point of having a battery!!

I have done a little search (isbmngr replacement) which yielded this;

This scenario is most commonly found with Sony VAIO notebooks; however it can and should be applied for other notebook manufacturers as well. Although you have installed the new battery your pc's settings are still set to the old one. By resetting both the AC Adapter and Battery in your system's device manager, upon rebooting, your pc will then recognize the new battery's properties. To do this, while using your laptop's AC power, go to Start/My Computer/View System Information - System Properties. Proceed to the Hardware tab and open the "batteries" header. You should see both for the AC Adapter and Battery. Right click on each and choose uninstall. Reboot your system with the new battery installed, and your pc should recognize your new battery.

from 'LaptopPower.net'

it seems to be working so far, tho i disabled the AC power driver rather than uninstall. I have re-'allowed' ISBMNGR.exe and the battery has not (yet) been rejected.

I'll let you know how i goes.

(know this is an old post but there seems to be nothing else when you google this issue. may be helpful for new purchasers).

tom

 

The issue is very solvable!
Grin grin! F*ck Sony!

Very Very solvable!

I feared the issue would be a BIOS issue, but the remedy is very simple on some laptops.

I'll have to dissapoint some of you though!

Here's my story:
I also bought the VGP-BPL2 battery, but my laptop is an older version (made somewhere 2004-2006).
It didn't have the protection in it's former software yet.
Like probably all Vaio notebooks, Sony takes a small partition of your harddrive (on mine that was 7Gb) to store a system backup. the rest of my 120Gb HD was used for windows, Sony soft and sh*t, and my own programs.
I then took a backup with "Norton Ghost" of the partition of the C drive where my data was located.
Then I updated my system to Vista.
Everything went fine, & vista ran on the cheap battery.

Then I updated the Vista, and installed the Sony drivers on top of it!
And it seemed that the core files are located in one of their newer drivers.

If the battery once ran fine, then do a system restore untill that point! That'll do.

Second thing you can do, is run as many updates as possible, one by one,
and figure out which file of driver hosts the 'ISBmgr.exe' file!
If the pc works with the battery, then you'll need to update, reboot, and test the pc everytime.
My advise would be to install upto 1 installation per day. That way I hope someone can find the time to figure out.
On my VGN-C190G I have installed following files (so it has to be in one of them):
PHBSYS-01250016-US.EXE (the Bios Update; 100% not the cause).
SOASSL-A1298203-US.EXE (Starting from here there are 3 very possible files!)
SOASNU-01298604-US.EXE
SOAOTH-01298404-US.EXE
INDVID-01346822-US.EXE
REDAUD-00733504-US.EXE (I doubt, since this is the audiodriver)
LADWLL-01346601-US.EXE
INDWLL-01396400-US.EXE
ALDOTH-01347903-US.EXE
ALDOTH-01347907-US.EXE
CODMOD-01355201-US.EXE
ITAOTH-01359301-US.EXE
MIOOTH-93533300-US.EXE
PIFOPD-01103905-US.EXE
PIFOPD-01382000-US.EXE
REDAUD-01291601-US.EXE
ROAOTH-01288508-US.EXE
ROAOTH-01288607-US.EXE
SOABCU-01298303-US.EXE

Once you've found it, please let us know!

I went back to WinXP that didn't have the issue, and will do some more research for all of you who experience these problems...

for those who don't have a backup program Sony actually has one on your pc!
Just click start menu, and something like 'Sony backup utility' Or 'Vaio Central' or something...
It'd restore your system like when you bought it (so be sure to backup important documents and files!!).

All that's left for you to do is customise it again, don't update! and erase all crap sony adds on the laptop (like AIM, and other shareware/demo tools).

If however your sony did the backup, you still have the battery issue, and don't want to pay 400, then it is best for you to buy a battery from here:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/E-Cell-Glo...W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ12460616QQftidZ2QQtZkm

For something like 75$ you have a like new battery.

Be quick though, sales are almost over!




*Edit: To Sony:

Sony, I know you're watching! You're always watching your products, forums, and anything unusual online, to bug anyone who has a good idea!
Here's what I want to say:
YOU F*CKED WITH ME 1 TIME, but no more. No more with me, no more with my family, no more with my friends!
You can be sure I, and a whole lot of other people are never going to buy any sony again (since this isn't the only issue; see down)!!!!
Ow? You think I'm boasting?
Here is what I have to say about sony (and it's all 100% elligable and true):

This is how you recognise the sony dictatorship, monopoly, and mentality of the company:
My friend bought a Sony DVD player. He couldn't playback other regio DVD's, barely played back mp3, and JPG. It costen him 114Euro's back in the days.
I bought myself a 65 Euro unknown brand player, and it could do a lot more then the sony (.WMA, .Gif, .ogg, it had both digital and analog 7.1 surround sound (not only digital).

In other words, I was better off with a DVD player that would last 4 years, costing less then half, then he with his DVD that could last 20 years, but he allready threw the thing in the garbage can!

Guess what? DVD's allready over! DivX is here, and now Blueray!
I'll never buy a sony DivX nor Blueray player!

Sony did fight the PSP homebrew issue in a same sence.
A bunch of hackers where able to create their own games on the PSP!
Noone was thinking of destroying someone else's PSP! It was all for the fun! Finally you could download games similar like streets of rage, tetris and mario for free!

Sony blocked that in a next firmware upgrade, and did fight hard over it!
they had to bring out several (over 15) firmware 'upgrades' to get the homebrewers out of their system!
Ofcourse, homebrewers learn, and find several more ways to hack the Sony PSP!
Arround the same time an unknown brand brought a similar player on the market. Little less beautifull, but it could do tonns more then the PSP.

Lesson N° 2: I'd buy a cheap gamingstation over Sony's psp!

In the same sence, people payed 400$ for their Play Station 3 back in the days!
A PC you can upgrade, and is faster then the PS3. The PS3 is doomed to go for another 2 years before it needs some hardware upgrades and guess what that'll mean? Another 300$ of paying.
PC graphics are 10 times more awesome!! PS3 doesn't even support (similar quality then) DX10 graphic quality!
Lesson N°3: I'll buy a PC over a PS3 anytime!

If they want to go the way of the Apple, then let them!
The only reason Apple, packard Bell, and some other famous brands still aren't most bought and used is not because they are bad products, but because of it's ridiculous high prices, and it's incompatibility with anything else!
Harddisk broke? Ow, you need an apple HD! (because all else fails!)
Printer? Ow, doesn't work here! You need a OSX printer here!

If there's one way that some area can be exploited, and eg: you're able to run OSX on a pc, Apple will do everything to conceal it!!!
Yes, their products work fine, don't have many options, and it's a closed market, and therefor expensive!

Lesson N°4: Never buy from Sony again! Next time? I'm going HP! (their newer models seem to be quite good, and their prices of battery's are reasonable.

I think for the people here! Anyone who'd disagree is probably a Sony spie, trying to convert people with their fake 'aww I don't agree' theology.

I tell you, and tell you again Sony: You ****ed with me, and you will bear the concequences of it all!

 

why dont they lower the prices on the batteries?
do they really want to loose customers over something that should cost 100-150.00 not 299