On some Sony model laptops there has been a utility pre-installed called Sony ISB, which prevents the laptop from using a third-party laptop battery. To remove the Sony ISB utility follow these directions:

• First remove the battery from the laptop and power on the system with just the ac adapter.
• From either the Start menu or command prompt run MSCONFIG.exe
• On Vista machines, Windows will prompt you for permission to continue
• In the System Configuration window, click the "Startup" tab and find the item containing "ISBMgr.exe"
• Uncheck the box for the "ISBMgr.exe"
• Click "Ok" to save and accept the changes and restart the laptop
• You may be prompted on restart that Windows is running in selective mode. Just uncheck the notification option on bottom right.

This will remove the software check that Sony has placed on laptops to prevent third-party laptop batteries from being used and allow you to use a non-Sony laptop battery. If you perform a Sony software update, you may need to repeat this procedure.

Some Sony laptops have a hardware laptop battery lock which will prevent a third-party notebook battery from being used. We do have patches for certain models below. If your model is not listed, then there is no "fix" to get around the hardware lock and you will have to buy a genuine Sony brand laptop battery.

NOTE: BIOS updates should be performed with caution. To eliminate the possibility of other programs interfering with the update, shut down all other applications prior to running the BIOS update program. The update program will reboot on its own. Do not, under any circumstances, turn off the laptop or remove the ac adapter while update is installing. Doing so may cause the computer to become inoperable requiring repair.

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Sony Universal Battery Driver - Download Driver. Download Installation Instructions. Updated 11/2/2010.
Resolves charging problem and rapid blinking indicator light. Compatible with Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7.
For use with L8T Models SY05, SY11, SY12, SY13, SY16, SY17, SY18, SY19, SY20, SY21, SY22, SY23, SY24. Sony Part Numbers: VGP-BPS8, VGP-BPL8, VGP-BPS9, VGP-BPL9, VGP-BPS10, VGP-BPL10, VGP-BPS11, VGP-BPL11, VGP-BPS12, VGP-BLP12, VGP-BPS13, VGP-BPL13, VGP-BPS14, VGP-BPL14, VGP-BPS15, VGP-BPL15, VGP-BPS18, VGP-BPL18, VGP-BPS21, VGP-BPL21, VGP-BPS22, VGP-BPL22.

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Older Versions: for batteries with Serial Numbers (not SKU) beginning with 12 or 20.

Sony VGP-BPS8, VGP-BPL8 update, L8T Model SY11, SY16, SY17- Download BIOS Update , Download Installation Instructions

Sony VGP-BPS9, VGP-BPL9 update, L8T Model SY05, SY12 - Download BIOS Update , Download Installation Instructions

Sony VGP-BPL11, VGP-BPS11 update, L8T Model SY18 - Download BIOS Update , Download Installation Instructions

Sony VGP-BPS12 update, L8T Model SY21 - Download BIOS Update , Download Installation Instructions

Sony VGP-BPS13 update, L8T Model SY19, SY20 -Download BIOS Update , Download Installation Instructions