Smart Battery Workshop is a tool, which is useful in a process of notebook battery repair. It uses
Philis Standard I2C Parallel Port Adapter that can be assembled in one hour by person with no electronics skills and does not require any hard-to-find components. Total components cost is around $1. (Must be assembled by user.)
Main features:
- Smart Battery Workshop provides read-only access to all the data listed in Smart Battery DataSpecification Revision 1.1 via LPT->SMBus adapter directly from battery terminals (57 parameters). All the BitFlags are decoded into human readable clear text.
- Allows user to reset Smart Battery EEPROM to its initial values. This will erase all tracks of previous battery usage. All the Permanent Failure Flags if such will be found will be cleared. This will unlock the battery if it is locked . So user will have a "brand new" battery after repacking. Electronics skills are also not needed. Everything works automatically. No editable fields. Just choose chipset and press "Reset" button. The software will recognize MCU firmware version and will make all neccessary changes. Chipsets supported by current version.
- Allows to read and write contents of EEPROM chips most frequently used in batteries. Fully functional EEPROM/FLASH programer included. Chips supported by current version: 24C01, 24C02, 24C04, S29190A, S29220A, 93C66, 93C76, S29394A, S29194A, AK6440A, AK6480A, AK93C45A, 25LC040, BR9040.
- Allows to read battery data directly from EEPROM dump file. You can analyze your dump just choosing it in "EEPROM Read/Write" tab. (For supported chipsets only).
- Allows to analyze battery and slect cells for battery pack. Battery Analyzer included. A simple hardware required. Connections are shown here.
This software has no parameters to be adjusted by user. Simply connect the battery or EEPROM chip to adapter and start the program. The only thing user has to remember - adapter must be connected to LPT1 with the following settings in BIOS: address - 378, modes - EPP or ECP. SBWorkshop can be run under the following versions of Windows: Win95/Win98/WinME/Win2000/Win2003/WinXP. If you work under Win95/98/ME then SMARTVSD.VXD MUST be installed: just copy it from \windows\system to \windows\system\iosubsys and reboot. No special requirements for PC hardware. Full version will be tied to your Primary Master hard disk.
F.A.Q.
Q. How can I read the battery data?
A. You need to connect SCL, SDA and GND pins of adapter to SCL, SDA and GND pins of the battery with any suitable wires. Then press "Read" button. Cells must be connected and battery must be initialized if you just assemble it (in some cases). To initialize the battery you need just to apply power to "+" and "-" battery terminals from any DC power source (about 9V).
Q. Where are SCL, SDA and GND pins on my battery?
A. Different batteries have different terminal pinouts so the only way is to try different combinations. Connect GND pin of adapter to GND terminal of your battery then try different combinations of connecting SCL and SDA pins. SCL and SDA pins are always next to each other. It will take no more then 5 minutes. You need just not to connect battery "+" terminal to adapter. All other combinations are safe. But you have to remember that not all the batteries are SBS compliant.
Q. What does it mean, "to reset the battery"?
A.It means to erase all tracks of previous battery usage and to roll back all the vital parameters to factory new. For example, to roll back charge/discharge counts to zero, to make Full Charge Capacity equal to Design Capacity, to make Manufacture Date equal to current date, to erase Permanent Failure Flag (Error Flag) and so on. All above changes are made in SBWorkshop with just one button click .
Q. How can I reset my battery?
A.Actually, to reset the battery you need to reset EEPROM chip because EEPROM chip is the place, where tracks of previous battery usage are stored. Unsolder cells, connect EEPROM chip to adapter (described in GIF file with chip name in ZIP with demo), choose the chipset in "Chipset" listbox and press "Reset EEPROM" button. Then you can assemble the battery.
Q. I have a dump file from another similar battery. Can i refill my dead battery with this dump?
A. It's extremely undesirable to use dump from another battery. Each battery has its own individual configuration data, which is stored in EEPROM. Using dump from another battery can't guarantee proper battery working.
Q. Do I have to unsolder EEPROM chip when I want to reset it or I can leave it on board and tap the wires?
A. We recommend you always to unsolder the chip.
Q. "I have no Visa or Master Card" or "I live in <some country>" how can I pay for the program?
A. All the payments are made via Share-It! Payment Processing System (Germany) or via Plimus Payment Processing System (USA) so all the questions should be addressed them.
Q. What is a chipset?
A.Chipset is a combination of microcontroller chip and EEPROM chip. E.g. M37515 and SL220.
Q. Can I use my notebook/desktop internal power source to power up the adapter?
A. Yes. You can connect USB power wire (red) to +5V terminal of adapter. You need just one wire. No need to connect GND as it's connected via internal PC circuits.
Q. What is SMBus Packet Error Checking?
A. Packet Error Checking (PEC) as a mechanism to confirm proper communication between SMBus devices. Using this mechanism makes SBData reading more accurate. However, if you don't know if your battery supports PEC and you want to find SCL and SDA terminals then leave PEC unchecked because old batteries don't support PEC. When terminals found you can chek PEC checkbox and find out if PEC is supported.
Q. I want to pay using Paypal. How to do that?
A. Use Plimus. They accept Paypal.
Go Top
