New generic battery sent with instructions to update BIOS? Virus?

Soldato
Joined
27 Oct 2002
Posts
4,279
Location
London
Hi,

I bought a generic battery for my Sony Vaio from a Chinese auction seller.

Packaged with the battery is a CD, this contains a BIOS update. The packaging states that the "driver" should be installed prior to battery use. I am most unsure about installing the BIOS update. Especially if they've accidentally sent the wrong type.

Is this normal? Should I install the BIOS update?
or
Should I try the battery without installing this driver/BIOS update.

Cheers
R
 
I'd google to see if there's a BIOS recovery procedure for your Vaio first. If there is I'd give it a go. Seems to be common for these batteries to come with a BIOS update though.
 
I would imagine it's purpose is to allow the 3rd party battery to work, so it must be a hacked BIOS of some sort. I wouldn't put it past Sony to lock that sort of thing out.

Flashing a BIOS is always a risk though. I can't see what harm the battery could do on the other BIOS, other than not charge or similar, unless it's really a bodge kind of 3rd party battery.

Perhaps another OcUK'er has tried something like this.
 
Thanks all.

I guess the below really is the issue...

I can't see what harm the battery could do on the other BIOS, other than not charge or similar, unless it's really a bodge kind of 3rd party battery.

If the battery/laptop won't be damaged by plugging in a 3rd party battery, then it's a better idea to try that first before the BIOS update.

The "hacked" BIOS "update" states that it is the correct BIOS for the labelled battery. However, the labelled battery model number is different from my laptop (Sony Vaio FZ11S) but I believe that it could be the US model number.
 
I see none either. Do you have Vaio update installed? That will pick up any BIOS updates for your laptop.

Otherwise it seems that would be the risk you have to take with the 3rd party battery. I know the official ones are very expensive as they're the only consumable part and manufacturers inflate the price massively. Looks to me like it's a lot like buying 3rd party inks. It definitely voids the warranty (which may well be over), but it may also make it very difficult to claim a repair on your statuatory rights should it go wrong as it's effectively been tampered with in a way that it really shouldn't.

Not sure what I'd do in your situation. Depends how much the official battery is, how old the laptop is, how bad the old battery is, how much money I have ready to replace it if it goes wrong.
 
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