Thinkpads Forum

I have an IBM Dock II for my ThinkPad T30... been using it for a good 3-4 years with no issues. Yesterday, I docked my laptop and Im not getting juice (electric power) onto my laptop battery. Also, the external peripherals like mouse and keyboard are not operating...

This had happened about 1 year ago and that time I was able to fix the problem by cleaning the connectors on the Dock and on the Laptop with compressed air. This time, this fix is not working... does anybody have any ideas? If Im correctly informed, these Docks do not have a fuse.... or?

I know these Docks are quite inexpensive to buy, and apparently you can get new out of the box docks from some resellers... but until I source a new one, I would love to be able to revive my current Dock.

Can somebody perhaps shed some light onto this...?

Many thanks,
Alejandro

is there anything wrong with the ac adapter of the docking station? I'd try to find a spare ac adapter and try that on the docking station to replicate the problem if that is an option.

I can't quite remember the name in relation to Model number, but if the "Dock II" is the 2631 full dock, then it has a built in power supply and it's entirely possible that, that is the problem. If you have a way to check that, it might save you a lot of hassle testing everything else.

However, like you said; these things are extremely inexpensive these days and you might be better off just buying a new one.

I periodically have that problem with my Dock II and the only thing I've found that seems to work is to take the TP off the dock, unplug the power cord at the back of the dock, wait a few
minutes (2 -10 varies), plug the cord back into the dock, and finally put the TP back on it.

Kendas wrote:Any one else here old enough to have used an IBM 029 Keypunch?

Yes I used those when it was 'in' to wear flowers in your hair and go to Ashbury Heights...
I also worked on the 1401 before switching to the S/360 family.

RealBlackStuff wrote:

Kendas wrote:Any one else here old enough to have used an IBM 029 Keypunch?

Yes I used those when it was 'in' to wear flowers in your hair and go to Ashbury Heights...
I also worked on the 1401 before switching to the S/360 family.

At least I know I'm not the "old man" here anymore. I started on the Burroughs B3500 back in the 70's.

Dock II's are inexpensive? (Checks eBay, sees all the low double-digit "Buy it now" prices.) I bought mine in 2005 at $199 or so (EPP pricing).

If indeed you have a Dock II, then a power problem would likely be exhibited by the internal (dock) fan not running. Just a guess...