Mini review: Advanced Dock with T60p

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Kel Ghu · #31 Post by **Kel Ghu** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:16 pm

Im so disappointed it is not a x16...

PS: btw V5200 = x1600 not x1400

zappb · #32 Post by **zappb** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:17 am

Ron your a legend, thanks for all that hard work!!!

laughingtonto · #33 Post by **laughingtonto** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:48 am

...has anyone thrown one of those Dell or Apple 30 inch monster displays on a 7800GTX card running with the advanced dock? Nothing I'd love more than a 30 incher when I'm sitting at my desk...

-Todd

kru-inc · #34 Post by **kru-inc** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:14 am

Sorry to post this in the T60 forum, but I really need to get some feedback.

We have a couple of z60t's running Mini Docks but were disappointed when we ran 20" Dell widescreens. Anyway, we ordered in Advanced docks so we can run external video cards.

So far, I've unsuccessfully tried:

ASUS Extreme AX300SE-X/TD >
no matter what I did, the system could not 'see' the card.

eVGA e-GeForce 6200 TC >
the system 'sees' the card, drivers install, but card won't function. Docked boot results in no display at all.

Lenovo techs have not been helpful and it would be nice to get devices working. That way I can return the Mini Docks before the RMA is void.

I've tried the various BIOS settings with no success. What am I missing? Do I need a different type of card?

#35 Post by **RonS** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:27 am

I haven't tried either of those cards AX300SE or the 6200) in the Advanced Dock, but I can't imagine whey won't work. Here are some things to try:

1. In the BIOS, set the startup video card to be PCI-e. See if you get a picture with that settting.

2. Make sure you're extending your desktop to the new displays. Display Properties -> Settings -> Click on each "screen" and extend to that monitor. Make sure you select a resolution that is supported by your monitor.

3. With some monitors, I have to power-cycle the display in order for the monitor to sync up with the new video mode.

4. Some video cards require that the DVI cable be plugged in before the computer is turned on. Otherwise, you will never get a picture.

If all fails, I suggest you try on of the other cards I've mentioned in this thread. I'm using the 7600GS card (heatsink) and it's been perfectly stable.

kru-inc · #36 Post by **kru-inc** » Fri May 19, 2006 5:31 pm

Thanks RonS.

I fiddled with the setup for another hour or so with no positive results. I will wait unitil my IT guy returns from vacation and see what he can do. If all fails, I'll get a 7600GS card and go from there.

kru-inc · #37 Post by **kru-inc** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:33 am

... so our IT guy tried to get the setup to work and failed.

Contemplating on simply getting a 7600 card as it works for RonS, I then looked into the fundamental difference(s) between that type of card and the 6200. Other than being simply a higher-end video card, the 7600's memory was on-board only. The 6200 is lower-end with 128MB on-board w/ 256MB "supporting" leads me to believe that I couldn't get past set-up as the card was looking for some shared resources... well, something like that.

I'm not 100% sure about the theory. But, I ended up getting a 6600 card which has 256MB on-board only. It works!

My only problem now is that the 6600 version I have has both a heatsink on the bottom of the GPU as well as the top. The bottom heatsink albeit about only 1/4" protrudes so I can't put the cover back on the dock. I will likely try to remove the extra heatsink...

Thesp · #38 Post by **Thesp** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:16 am

kru-inc - glad to hear you got your system working. Did you try any other cards in it?

In another thread that I started

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=166486

there's some discussion of some cases in which the putting of a graphics card in the dock triggers memory parity errors and fails to install the card successfully. I'd love to hear the experiences of others.

thibouille27 · #39 Post by **thibouille27** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:20 am

I think Lnovo should put a compatibility chart GPU <-> Advanced Dock.

kru-inc · #40 Post by **kru-inc** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:33 am

Thesp - Simply trying to improve the display onto our Dell 20" widescreens, we ditched Advanced Mini's for the full dock. The chipset VGA out (from our z60t's) was just not cutting it. I was wrong to figure that with the Advanced Dock, any low profile entry level video card would suffice... In order, these are the cards I've tried:

1> ASUS Extreme AX300SE-X/TD > system boots, but system didn't see the card. (card tested fine)

2> eVGA e-GeForce 6200 TC > system would not boot no matter what.

3> XFX GE-FORCE 6600 > WORKS... though I needed to remove secondary heatsink due to clearance issue.

thibouille27 - a "compatibility chart" would have been great! And would have saved me some trouble. If it wasn't for this forum thread, I would have just gave up.

NOW, I just wish I could live with the 'dancing' fans. Plus, I need to find out how I can hot dock and undock the notebook (w/ the external video card running)...

Conmee · #41 Post by **Conmee** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:33 pm

I also agree with this assessment of the Advanced Dock... and the fan is significantly less loud than the Dock II. But what I did for the Dock II was I installed a small flip switch (3/8" mount) I bought at Radio Shack (right hand side, on the surface facing user in front of the key lock) and just spliced into the power going to the fan. I would occasionally switch the fan on when doing any intensive drive read/writing, etc. I had an ATI All in Wonder in the Dock II which generated significant heat, so I would flip the fan on when watching TV or recording video.

Anyhow, I'll post pics of my mod to the Advanced Dock. I like having the ability to flip the fan on/off without taking apart the Dock or leaving the cover off.

Daniel.

drblue · #42 Post by **drblue** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:04 pm

I need help from someone who has been able to diassemble the advanced dock (AD).

AD is quite well-designed as RonS reviewed. I realized that my AD was manufactured in Japan, usually a sure sign of high quality. The problem is that, because it is well-designed and solidly-built, I found it quite hard to take it apart.

Of course, the first hurdle was those pesky security Torx screws, and I had to buy a set of Torx screw drivers. I removed all the screws (including the one that is covered by a piece of plastic), and disengaged the latched on the front bottom. Yet, I wasn't able to take it apart. I didn't want to exert too much force because it could break something inside.

Is there anyone who has been able to successfully disassemble the unit? If so, could you please give me some tips on how to take it apart? Lenovo has service instructions for most of their products on their website, but, unfortunately, does not have one for AD.

I would appreciate your tips and help on this.

Thesp · #43 Post by **Thesp** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:07 pm

7600GS in dock, no luck primary, secondary. Read all about it here.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 817#168817

1.06 bios, card not even detected. If hot-docked, card detected but cannot start due to Code 12.

I am slowly losing my mind, and this multi-monitor laptop is now well and truly over budget. I can't really afford to buy another graphics card as an experiment.

Anyone with a direct line into Lenovo know what is the 'supported' multimonitor card? I emailed their tech support, and all I got was a suggestion that it might be a 'software problem'. Can't even get WinXP to PlugnPlay detect it - and they call it a software problem!

help.

please.

t

codek · #44 Post by **codek** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:03 am

will this dock work with my 1953d6u. I'm not liking the performance of my 945 gpu.

Will this dock work with a 2623d7u? 2623d6u?

I want to make this a gaming laptop with the dock?

Thesp · #45 Post by **Thesp** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:08 am

Futher to the compatibility matrix data, someone has problems with a PCI-E matrox G550 over at the matrox fora:
http://forum.matrox.com/mga/viewtopic.p ... 696#101696

thesp
(bringing you the latest in graphics card frustration)

Thesp · #46 Post by **Thesp** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:16 am

Towards a unified GPU compatibility list:

Diamond Viper Radeon X1300 512Mb reported to work in
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=27757
but poster finds XFX 7600GS fails.

Moderators: as this list is the most catholic overview of GPUs in the Advanced Dock, should we try and report our successes/failures in this thread, to keep an overview of the state-of-play of PCIe video in the dock?

tradersworld · #47 Post by **tradersworld** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:17 pm

Has anyone figured out how to disassemble the advanced dock and I can't figure out how to do it either?

The rear fan is somewhat loud and I would like to disconnect it also.

kru-inc · #48 Post by **kru-inc** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:41 pm

I'm planning to simply cut the fan wires (RonS setup).

Before I do, I have the following questions:

- what the main fan is cooling? (ie. power supply)

- does the notebook's fan still cool the CPU?

- is there anyway to re-connect the severed wire?
(main fan seems difficult unless the dock is disassembled)

BTW, I ended up going to a full-width 7600GS (passive) card.
The 6600 worked well until last week. Out of nowhere, the system began with "memory parity errors" eventually unable to even boot within 24hrs. I tried updating as well as complete re-&-re various driver versions thru the latest to no avail.
Oh well... hardware failure? Seems unlikely as it worked for a while.

spiike · #49 Post by **spiike** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:46 pm

This thread is like a huge rollercoaster ride. I got all excited and now disappointed.

So is it safe to conclude that turning the thinkpad into a fullblown gaming computer with dock is not a viable option as of yet because of the 1x pci-e? And also that getting an x1300 video card and using the dock with a high end card will not achieve results as a desktop with the high end card would get?

Kel Ghu · #50 Post by **Kel Ghu** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:16 pm

Yeah... If the port wasnt a 1x, I would have bought it with a 24" LCD and stuf... but... no...

rajm · #51 Post by **rajm** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:24 pm

spiike wrote:This thread is like a huge rollercoaster ride. I got all excited and now disappointed.

So is it safe to conclude that turning the thinkpad into a fullblown gaming computer with dock is not a viable option as of yet because of the 1x pci-e? And also that getting an x1300 video card and using the dock with a high end card will not achieve results as a desktop with the high end card would get?

Sadly, this seems to be the case...there goes those $$$ that went into the advanced dock.

Thesp · #52 Post by **Thesp** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:18 am

Might this be a power draw issue? i.e. high-end video cards in the advanced dock slot draw extra power? Thus, after a greater or lesser time, some power supply component starts to fail, causing the rail voltages to move outside of tolerances and give rise to memory parity errors?

#53 Post by **RonS** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:03 pm

Thesp - I like your thinking. Here's a couple of other anecdotal observations that give support to your idea:

- The only time I experienced a lock-up using the Advanced Dock is when I had an NVidia 7800 GTX card installed on the PCI-Express slot but running physically outside the dock with no external power. When I supplied additional power to the card with an external power supply, I never had a problem.

- I've been successfully and happily running a 7600GS card in the dock for months now with no problems of any kind. Other people have had bad luck with this setup. The difference could be that I disconnected BOTH fans in the dock (for noise reduction). That means that my setup results in using less power, which might be enough to make a difference.

kumi · #54 Post by **kumi** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:03 pm

i have a question

is it useful to buy a regular t60 (2gig core duo/1gig ram/100gb with the x1400) an buy an advanced dock with a nvidia 6800 or 7xxx for gaming?

is this possible and is this cheaper? .. where i plug the power connector of the graphik card?

is there any warranty that it fits 100%? thanks mfg kumi

_erazor_ · #55 Post by **_erazor_** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:56 pm

kumi wrote:i have a question

is it useful to buy a regular t60 (2gig core duo/1gig ram/100gb with the x1400) an buy an advanced dock with a nvidia 6800 or 7xxx for gaming?

is this possible and is this cheaper? .. where i plug the power connector of the graphik card?

is there any warranty that it fits 100%? thanks mfg kumi

you should read this thread completely and then all of your questions are answered.

it`s all written above, so no need to rewrite it again

don`t be lazy and just read the whole thread

kumi · #56 Post by **kumi** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:44 pm

im not lazy but i am german and my english is not as good that i understand 100% everything, i just can read out that it worked but not all cards ..

and what is meant with the advanced dock "only pci-e cards with half lengh and half height fits"

half lenght??

_erazor_ · #57 Post by **_erazor_** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:54 pm

I am German aswell and I could nicely read it all

half-length means that the "bigger" high performance cards like x1800 or geforce 7800 or 7900 will NOT fit into the dock because they are too long.

other than that, the "slot" is 16x shape but it is connected to the dock via 1x only, so you can plug in a 16x graphics card but it only runs at 1x speed

for that reason, using a gamer-graphics card does not pay off on the advanced dock.

I hope this explained it well now.

jjesusfreak01 · #58 Post by **jjesusfreak01** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:49 pm

Firstly, feel free to reply in German if someone has problems with english (unless there are rules against that?).

Although it is only 1x, using a fast graphics card still helps.

DustBunny · #59 Post by **DustBunny** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:30 am

Hi

Here's the results of my advanced dock headache so far

Tried

Abit Guru X600 Radeon -- No Go

Matrox G550LP -- Works when set as primary boot however is only 32MB and can only manage 1280x1024. Disables V5200 internally on my T60p so no multimonitor there

Matrox Th2go .. Goes well

at 800x600 per monitor

but thats all, it will not go higher at this time. (Oh and the th2go does not work with the Matrox video card!!)

Discussed

XFX 7600GS.. Xaveon says it does not

, Rons says it does,

Diamond Viper X1300 512M... Xaveon says this works

however others seem unsure as to X1300 cards (no branding info).

Conluded

There must be variances in the advanced docks. The assumption that there are power issues seems the most likely, It also appears from a general overview that different manufacturers cards using the same chipset may or may not work....

Has anyone got a definitive list from Lenovo of working graphics cards so I may begin the support process when it does'nt work one more time

(Cant decide between X1300 Diamond Viper and XFX 7600GS)

Thanks

DB

Thesp · #60 Post by **Thesp** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:06 am

Ron,

Could you try this by reconnecting fans, or loading all your USB ports, or something to boost your power consumption? I'm trying to think of a good testing methodology, but thee are so many variables.

best,

Mark

Mini review: Advanced Dock with T60p

Now to the real question...

Has anyone figured out how to disassemble the advanced dock?

the fans...

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