I wanted to refresh the battery in my travel laptop and decided that 70€+ might be a bit too much. So I've settled onto a 20€ battery, +1€ shipping, from Amazon. Here's the affiliate link: http://amzn.to/2AUSIUW - but read before you decide to buy it.
If you are ordering from outside Germany, returns will be difficult, as LiPo batteries fall under a special shipping clause.
Second, the battery is suited for an X220 model, not X230.
Third - and most importantly - the battery is a fake, with less than the advertised capacity.
If you still decide to continue, then read on. Some nice people have managed to decrypt the EC firmware inside the Lenovo laptops and allow for a way to rewrite it:
https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec
You can go through all the trouble of compiling it, but, to save you 5 minutes, here's the ready-built image that I've used myself, for X230 and the file for X230T, tested by readers:
If you are ordering from outside Germany, returns will be difficult, as LiPo batteries fall under a special shipping clause.
Second, the battery is suited for an X220 model, not X230.
https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec
You can go through all the trouble of compiling it, but, to save you 5 minutes, here's the ready-built image that I've used myself, for X230 and the file for X230T, tested by readers:
(checksum: 7a3f7703d33cd6633c6a22fd41027f59)
(checksum: c63f08ae587023feadc3cf3decc36a55)
The patched.x230.img file needs to be written to a USB drive (or SD card with reader). If you are using Linux you might be already familiar with dd. Under Windows, you can use Win32DiskImager, the same tool that's used for writing Raspberry PI cards.
To boot it, you need to go into BIOS settings and disable EFI, enable "Legacy boot". Then you can start the flash process. While this has worked for me, I take no responsibility if anything happens to your laptop.
To boot it, you need to go into BIOS settings and disable EFI, enable "Legacy boot". Then you can start the flash process. While this has worked for me, I take no responsibility if anything happens to your laptop.
Note: you should be able to go back to any BIOS version of your choice, I haven't run into any "one-way scenarios". You can flash the battery patch even with the 3rd-party battery installed. Your laptop should be connected to a charger while doing this.
If you don't flash the image, the laptop will not charge the battery (as the batter is designed for X220) and will report "The battery installed is not supported and will not charge" and "Genuine Lenovo Battery Not Attached. The battery installed is not supported by the system and will not charge".
Anyway, after flashing the EC (embedded controller) firmware the laptop will now recognize the X220 battery and will charge it as well.
After inspection with BatteryInfoView the reported capacity is not 6600mAh but ~5700 instead:
At the end of a discharge cycle, the designed capacity is reported as 6900mAh, full charged capacity as 6800mAh, it looks great! But unfortunately, after another recharge, the designed capacity is back to 5700mAh, full capacity to 5400mAh.
To summarize, with this battery, both the designed capacity and the cycle count are faked.
EDIT: The above is not really accurate, only the Windows Lenovo software can show the correct cycle count. However the capacity is correctly shown.
I could return the battery, but I guess a doubling of battery life is worth 21 EUR (to me). The previous battery, "44++", had a designed capacity of 5200mAh and reaches only 2800mAh at this time.
For reference, I get around 7Wh consumption under Windows 10, "reading mode" and around 5Wh under Ubuntu 17, same conditions. I set a threshold for charging ("Lenovo Power Manager" / "Lenovo Companion") at 90-95%. This drastically increases cell longevity and allows me to achieve a theoretical 9.58h under Windows 10 and 13.42h under Ubuntu.
The 9-cell battery is ugly and heavy, but I guess for "vintage" Lenovo users this does not matter too much. Still, a 9h+ battery life is a sweet deal.
EDIT 2018: After Lenovo pushed a firmware/BIOS update, assuming related to Spectre / Meltdown, this compatibility mod survived.
EDIT Oct 2019: With the latest BIOS update the battery is rejected again. The newly reported BIOS version is 2.77. You need to downgrade to 2.75 (g2uj31us.exe) before applying the patch.
If you don't flash the image, the laptop will not charge the battery (as the batter is designed for X220) and will report "The battery installed is not supported and will not charge" and "Genuine Lenovo Battery Not Attached. The battery installed is not supported by the system and will not charge".
Anyway, after flashing the EC (embedded controller) firmware the laptop will now recognize the X220 battery and will charge it as well.
After inspection with BatteryInfoView the reported capacity is not 6600mAh but ~5700 instead:
At the end of a discharge cycle, the designed capacity is reported as 6900mAh, full charged capacity as 6800mAh, it looks great! But unfortunately, after another recharge, the designed capacity is back to 5700mAh, full capacity to 5400mAh.
EDIT: The above is not really accurate, only the Windows Lenovo software can show the correct cycle count. However the capacity is correctly shown.
I could return the battery, but I guess a doubling of battery life is worth 21 EUR (to me). The previous battery, "44++", had a designed capacity of 5200mAh and reaches only 2800mAh at this time.
For reference, I get around 7Wh consumption under Windows 10, "reading mode" and around 5Wh under Ubuntu 17, same conditions. I set a threshold for charging ("Lenovo Power Manager" / "Lenovo Companion") at 90-95%. This drastically increases cell longevity and allows me to achieve a theoretical 9.58h under Windows 10 and 13.42h under Ubuntu.
The 9-cell battery is ugly and heavy, but I guess for "vintage" Lenovo users this does not matter too much. Still, a 9h+ battery life is a sweet deal.
EDIT 2018: After Lenovo pushed a firmware/BIOS update, assuming related to Spectre / Meltdown, this compatibility mod survived.
EDIT Oct 2019: With the latest BIOS update the battery is rejected again. The newly reported BIOS version is 2.77. You need to downgrade to 2.75 (g2uj31us.exe) before applying the patch.
Update Mar 2024: Comments have been temporarily disabled due to spammers. The fix still works but you can comment on other posts if you want assistance.
Wonderfull !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much !!!
Is there anyway to reverse this flash if things go awry?
ReplyDeleteAnd will this only work for the exact battery make you bought or will it work for every non OEM battery?
Thank you for your efforts!
I expect it to work with any non-OEM battery that's still compatible.
DeleteReversing? I assume it's possible by flashing an updated EC firmware, either from Lenovo or built just like the one above, but without custom parameters. I haven't had any issues with my version though and it has survived at least one BIOS upgrade (probably related to Spectre/Meltdown).
This is incredibly useful, thank you. Question: should I update to the latest official BIOS first, and then do this patch (or the reverse)? What happens if I patch first and then update to the latest BIOS (version 2.73 released 25 June 2018)?
ReplyDeletehttps://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds029187
I don't know since I haven't tested the other way. I applied my patch first and then the update.
DeleteThank you, that saved my laptop (X230). Do I get it right, that now I should not upgrade the bios from official sources?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that. I updated a few months ago from Lenovo companion and the battery compatibility was preserved. But don't quote me on that.
DeleteUpdate: you can only update until 2.76 to maintain the patch. If upgrading to 2.77 you need to first go back to 2.75 and then reapply the patch.
Deleteout of curiosity, I apply the patch in 2.75, and then upgrade to 2.77, it will work?
DeleteNo, at the moment versions higher than 2.76 revert the patch.
DeleteWill this work for my E540 somehow?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it, it probably only works with E530.
DeleteThank You very much.. your patch really save my day..
ReplyDeletemuchas gracias funciono muy bien
ReplyDeleteThis worked liked a boss, I appreciate it very much! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi I need this help I am seriously battling with my x230 now and my 29+ battery lying there and not working. I have tried to boot my PC from USB and it didn't work. I guess I need to flash to latest bios first before doing this patch. I need someone to guide me through this process it seems like lots of work.
ReplyDeleteDid you use Win32DiskImager to write the file linked in the article? If the BIOS is then configured to boot from USB with "legacy" mode enabled, it should work.
DeleteIt works for me and made me happy! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi I was wondering if you could fix the download link for the patch .img I have a third party battery I want to use with my x230T. Actually is this suitable for my model of thinkpad? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSee http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=00894551634553754413
DeleteHow can I use or on Lenovo Edge 530?
ReplyDeleteIt is only for X230 and X230T
DeleteThank you, solution still working 2020. Had to downgrade BIOS as adviced.
ReplyDeleteThank you, these steps you simplified can be easily executed.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Bought a cheap battery from China and was disappointed. Used your download link and instructions and now it's charging. Woo hoo!
ReplyDeletewauuuuuu thx im so hapy now its charging
ReplyDeleteThnak you so much! i bought a 9 cell lenovo x230 battery about a year ago. ive not touched it until now. i almost purchased a £90 battery from lenovo but i saw this, did it and now i have a perfectly working battery. you saved me £75!!
ReplyDeleteYour the best!!!
Have a great day!!!
-Oliver
Thank you, it worked for me.
ReplyDeleteFor me it is not working... I have a x230t (the uploaded files are down by the way) and even with the modified files written on a bootable usb as described by hamishcoleman on github. BIOS is downgraded to 2.73. Flashing seems to work though.
ReplyDeleteOkay, maybe I should start reading the text more carefully. The battery patch needs to be enabled when producing the image via the described guide on github. This needs to be done before going to step 6 as it is turned off by default: "make patch_enable_battery clean "
ReplyDeleteSo, THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR WORK!
Cool, I'm glad you figured it out in the end. This post is only to allow people to have an image without having to know anything about git and patching.
DeleteThe download links get automatically deleted if they are unused for a few days (60 or 90). If you know any anonymous file sharing service with a longer 'grace period' and without annoying countdowns, please let me know.
Oh wow, what a fast reply! Sorry, I don't know any hosters with a longer grace period for their uploads.
DeleteAnother thing: I realized keeping the keyboard configurations to flash in my installation messed up my keyboard a bit (delete button changed its function) so I had to redo the image with the command "make patch_disable_keyboard clean " and "make patch_enable_battery clean" before proceeding to step 6 and creating the image. Now, everything works smoothly and you made my day.
Thanks for the comment, I think I need to add some simple instructions about how to build your own image.
DeleteIt seems there are a lot more users with X230 than with X230T, so the former file sees more activity. I will update the post with a new link to X230T, once it becomes available.
Thanks for the wonderful article! The patched.x230.img you provided here only contains the battery patch, right? I just need that only.
DeleteIt should only be the battery patch and nothing else.
DeleteYou can always revert to another version if things don't work out, I've done this in the past.
DeleteHi, X230T link doesn't work. I have Bios 2.58 (GCET98WW) and ECP 1.14 (GCHT25WW). Does it work with the patch? Thank you in advance!
ReplyDeleteNo, it doesn't work with the X230 file. It needs the T-model file. Just wait a few days and write a comment if the link above (for X230T) will not work. The files get automatically removed if they are not download for a while.
DeleteOkay. I will wait for a few days and check the x230t file available again. Is my bios version okay to use the x230t patch? Thank you!
DeleteOh I have one more question. When I apply the patch, do I need a genuine battery? or any battery? I have a charger but don't have a battery yet.
DeleteAny BIOS version would work, unless you are already above 2.76. In that case, you need to downgrade to 2.75. Not sure of the actual numbers, but if you find out, feel free to leave a comment here.
DeleteYou don't need a genuine battery to apply the patch, but it should have some charge in it, at least 20%, and, the laptop should be plugged in.
The link for X230T has been updated.
DeleteThank you!!!
DeleteI found a free file sharing service and very huge amount of storage. https://mega.nz/ I hope it's helpful.
ReplyDeleteGreat!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for the patch! I have a X230, BIOS v2.74, which always worked well with this non original aftermarket battery. Lenovo Vantage suite recognized it as genuine, and it allowed to set a charge limit (I had it set to 80% to prolong battery life). After an upgrade of Lenovo Vantage (not the BIOS), it started to display the usual message related to a non-genuine battery. I applied the patch here and now the battery is charged again, but the message in the Vantage suite is still there, and I can't set any charging limit for the battery. Is this normal? Thank you very much
ReplyDeleteI haven't had that issue. You could try perhaps un- and re-installing the lenovo suite. Perhaps it remembered the ID of the battery.
DeleteI tried that before, and it keeps saying "Battery not supported". It's strange. Should I try BIOS v2.75? Thanks
DeleteI doubt that the BIOS will make a difference. If it charges, then it's probably ok. But 2.75 wouldn't hurt anyway, I guess.
DeleteYou could try sticking the old original battery in, if you still have it, and see if the message clears itself.
I do have an extra 9 cell battery, but it's the same type and same thing happens. What I realized is that uninstalling and reainstalling Lenovo Vantage doesn't cleared up all the configuration the application had previously, so probably some information was kept in the Windows registry or somewhere else.
ReplyDeletesorry for having initiated a new thread on this
DeleteHi guys! I have an x260 with a similar error (battery is not supported).
ReplyDeleteIs there a similar fix for this issue please?
Thanks
Thank you VERRY much.
ReplyDeleteNow my X220 batterie is charching on my X230
Thanks to you
hi the download link expired and could you share again?
ReplyDeletethanks
Sorry, the link had a mistake, it displayed the right URL but forwarded to the old one. Should be fixed now.
DeleteHelp please, i downgraded to 2.75. If i boot from USB it brings me back to boot menu. What can I do?
ReplyDeletei have an x230
DeleteProbably not related to the BIOS version but perhaps the settings got reset. Check the CSM / secure boot mode vs. EFI.
Deletesecure boot is disabled. i have legacy boot and CSM Support enabled
Deletehow do i disable efi?
ReplyDeletei have a b590. do you think this can work for me?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this! So helpful!
ReplyDeletehaving x230 suddenly seen your battery is not supported though it worked in it for 3 years. Did all as recommended, downgrade from 2.77 to 2.75 and flashed fom the image patched.x230.img. now it works! battery is being charged. You're great! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteZippyshare link expired and could you share again?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Somehow the tinyupload site seems down. I've added an alternative link: https://gofile.io/d/61bFuY
Deletethe file on this link is disappear. Could you please re-upload it.
DeleteYeah, same here. Would love if you could re-upload it. Have you tried Dropbox, Onedrive or google drive? :-) Thanks so much for this fix, original lenovo batteries are getting really hard to find and are insanely expensive by now.
DeleteThe files will get reuploaded and the links updated. The BIOS is copyrighted, including the changed one, so that leaves non-anonymous file sharers out.
Deletehttps://gofile.io/d/wrowy4
DeleteThanks so much! :-) Saves my day!
Deletecan u reupload again the link
DeleteThe links are updated in the main post, I cannot update the comments.
Delete"
http://www.filedropper.com/patchedx230 (7a3f7703d33cd6633c6a22fd41027f59)
http://www.filedropper.com/patchedx230t (c63f08ae587023feadc3cf3decc36a55)
"
T H A N K S !!!
ReplyDeleteWorks on my X230 with BIOS v2.65. Still this will be my last thinkpad :-(, I don't get along with this lenovo policy....
GREAT !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. This has solved the issue i had with my x230. Thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteIt sux that Lenovo greenwashes so much. They make sustainability claims (https://investor.lenovo.com/en/sustainability/sustainability_reports.php) and then produce products designed not to be repaired and actively stop people from using repaired products such as batteries.... Disappointing and disgusting... I have left feedback on their website and asked for John Cerretani's email address so I can contact him directly.. Please do the same if you are not happy with Lenovo restricting use of OEM batteries or repair of batteries (I replaced the one dead cell and now it is blocked from charging)....
ReplyDeleteI triple checked the comments. You guys mentioned there were two files, one for x230, another for x230t. But all I found was only one.
ReplyDeleteI have X230, so that's the correct one, right?
patched.x230.zip is the correct one. The x230t got temporarily removed due to lack of activity.
DeleteI checked again just now. There were two files. Downloaded the X230 one. Extracted & burned with rufus. Set the correct bios settings. Reboot & press spacebar few times.
DeleteNow X220 battery is being charged by X230.
Thank you very much. Andy from Indonesia.
Threshold is actually working, in Win10, Linux Mint & Peppermint. Did not expect it to work as my battery was fake & did not even try install Vantage the first time.
ReplyDeleteBefore EC hack, the $11 battery was not chargable. Now is working great.
I don't really understand your comment. If the patch doesn't work, did you do the downgrade as described at the bottom of the article?
ReplyDeleteHi sir,
ReplyDeleteDoes this still work, i have x230 with battery problem. every plug in battery make my laptop blue screen. I was downgrade BIOS 2.75 and not yet flash, its sure safe? my friend ask if you failed can broken the motherboard.
It works for many people.
Deleteare need to EC with linux before, or just download x230.img and flash with usb? actually my bios was downgrade to 2.75 or i miss something like don't put battery on laptop when flash?
DeleteJust flash the img file from a USB drive. The firmware update process can fail but I haven't heard of that yet, as it has a failsafe mode where the old firmware is restored if anything goes wrong.
DeleteSir, can yu make a short video on that process, just a demo.. I tried to your method but, I don't know whether my Usb flashing drive work or not, whether Bios is flashed or not, I getting confused.. in bios menu
ReplyDeleteI got it, My bios version 2.05, flashing is done. But my x220 battery doesn't charge in x230 ThinkPad, and I have also local battery for x230, it's showing not genuine attached, nothing changes happened, pls guide me
ReplyDeleteI don't have a tutorial for this yet but the steps are:
Delete- download the img file for your laptop
- if the download is a zip file, first unpack it so you get the .img file
- download either Rufus or win32diskimager (easier)
- insert a USB stick (will be deleted)
- run the program and select the .img file and the USB stick and click "write" or similar
- reboot the computer with the stick inserted
You should now see a text screen instead of the usual Windows one. If it did not work, you need to enable booting from USB in the BIOS. See https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht118361 but the summary is:
"
- Attach the USB device to the system via any available USB port.
- Press and hold the Power Button for few seconds to turn off the system completely.
- Note: For Windows 8/8.1/10, restart the system before using the following steps.
- Power on the system. Press F12 immediately as the Thinkpad logo appears.
- There should be a pop-up menu with a list of choices. Select the USB drive using the arrow key and press Enter.
- The system should now boot from the USB drive."
Dear Ligius, I believe the checksums of the files have changed or I am using a wrong tool. I am now using 7Zip and it seems that I am getting totally different numbers for both the archive and the containing file. Please advice.
ReplyDeletePS: Thanks for the great work you are doing for the community!
Please excuse my ignorance I did not notice these were MD5. Thanks!
DeleteThank you for the kind words, take care.
Delete03Oct2021
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Ligius for your detailed info for the x230 battery hack.
Like many others who have found your site, we all bought the budget x220 batteries and found out that it's "not compatible or genuine", due to lenovos bios.
After a long search and finding this site, i down graded from bios version 2.77 to 2.76 and patched this with the battery hack.
All happy and working now.
Hi Ligius, could you reupload the x230t patch file? I would very much appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteHi, updated the links, hopefully these will never expire again.
DeleteThanks, just patched my Lenovo X230 with BIOS version 2.76. Works like a charm.
ReplyDeleteLink does not work again.. PLS update or upload to new site.. thanks
ReplyDeletex230t file is missing
DeleteYou are right, the text link was correct but it was linking to the old location. Fixed now.
DeleteBrilliant! It was a piece of cake flashing my X230.
ReplyDeleteThanks a million for this solution.
Got it, thank you :) Sadly my battery was drained for few month as I couldn't recharge it and now it shows 0% and charging but the percentage after hours is not increasing :( Did the drain killed the new battery?
DeleteUnfortunately it might be dead, but leaving it plugged it for a longer time (days) might revive it. I assume there is a low-voltage protection on the battery and it will just disconnect it once it gets below a safe level. The 0% charge state is still above the safe level, but self-discharge might bring it below that.
DeleteI love you, super solution and the customer is also satisfied!
ReplyDeleteThanks ! This worked !
ReplyDeletePizzacoca
Worked Great. I wrote the image with Rufus with no problem
ReplyDeletethank you, x230 is still strong in 2023 (especially with i7 proc and 16gb ram) - now need to get this patch to work with biiig battery :)
ReplyDeleteLiked it.
ReplyDeleteReally awesome! Working smoothly still in 2023 and I just saved 100 euros with this
ReplyDeleteI have BIOS version 2.77, I can't run the downgrade g2uj31us.exe (version 2.75) because the battery is empty and it doesn't charge either!!! How can I solve this step?
ReplyDeleteNo idea, do you have an original battery to try? Or try removing the battery? Last resort, try charging the 3rd party battery from an adjustable power supply. See the pinout here https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/dnccs1/x230_new_faulty_battery_which_pins_should_have/f5aea3s/ - 2x right pins plus, 2x left pins minus, use any, no need to use both.
DeleteIn a pinch, you can use any 12V power supply and measure the voltage at the battery terminals to make sure you do not exceed 12.6V.
Hello, I cannot downgrade the firmware because the battery is empty and since it is not recognized it does not charge. Is there any way to do it? I am on version 2.77. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMe paso lo mismo y gracias a dios tenía la batería vieja que aunque no duraba mucho la carga si cargaba al 100%, la instale al laptop y cuando ya tenia 30% de carga según el laptop pide instalar la bios por Windows sin problemas, después que la instale monte la batería nueva.
DeleteI have thinkpad x230t, without battery so I bought a third part battery, however it's plugged in but not charging, there was a patched bios update solve this problem but that update is in ISO file which runs through a USB drive using DOS environment, unfortunately the Bios has a supervisor password, so I can't change boot mode from UEFI to Legacy, and therefore I can't flash the Bios through a USB drive, I tried many attempts like using "DOSBox" to run the update application but all my attempts get failed, my question is: is there any way to get the battery patch through update bios application in windows environment ".exe"? or is there any suggestion to solve this problem like a code through Linux or something like that?.
ReplyDeleteP.S. my bios version is 2.73 which is the same version as the patched bios file.