USB/Parallel problems with Advanced Mini Dock

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dexterryu · #1 Post by **dexterryu** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:47 am

Hey guys,

Having an issue with a number of our mini-docks/T60's. What seems to happen is that occasionally the USB/Parallel ports stop working.

I haven't been able to track down a cause yet since it happens intermitantly. Powering down/Restarting doesn't fix the problem. The only thing that seems to do the trick is a complete shutdown, then pulling the power out of the dock in addition undocking and removing the battery. Even that only works about 75% of the time.

Plugging the mouse into USB ports on the laptop always work, but I'd like to find the root of the problem and fix it.

Thanks for your help.

gt5l · #2 Post by **gt5l** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:04 am

I have the same problem and I would love to see a fix, but in my case pulling out the USB and inserting it again seems to work.

dexterryu · #3 Post by **dexterryu** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:06 am

I could do that all day long and get nothing. I'll let you know what I find out.

Lenovo is replacing those docking stations, however I feel with a little bit of troubleshooting they would be able to solve the problem.

gt5l · #4 Post by **gt5l** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:26 am

is it just one usb port? looking at the back of the docking port, mine seems to be the lower left USB connection, the other 3 work just fine.
Mine also stops on docking, so after docking if i remove then replug the USB port it seems to work, maybe more than one time at times

dexterryu · #5 Post by **dexterryu** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:27 am

Mine is all the ports and the parallel port.

gt5l · #6 Post by **gt5l** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:29 am

huh, we seem to have two different problems, or maybe you are further down the road of where I am, I seem to be headed in that direction, time to get a replacement I guess if I dont hear a logical solution here.

seeplus · #7 Post by **seeplus** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:26 pm

I think from reading other threads (and having a prob. with USB on my adv.-mini dock) that the problem lies in the PC/Dock connector.

Try pushing down on the system to make a firmer seat, or taking out the battery (before mounting in the dock) to see if the connection becomes more reliable.

gt5l · #8 Post by **gt5l** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:40 pm

seeplus wrote:I think from reading other threads (and having a prob. with USB on my adv.-mini dock) that the problem lies in the PC/Dock connector.

Try pushing down on the system to make a firmer seat, or taking out the battery (before mounting in the dock) to see if the connection becomes more reliable.

Thanks for the advice, but in my case all i do is unplug then plug again the USB connection to resolve the situation. It is always my kensington track ball, i moved it today to a different USB connection to see if that helps, but it did not, the next time i docked the computer I had to remove then re-connect the USB to get the computer to recognize the track ball. BTW, i dock while the computer is on (not sleep mode or off) is that wrong? I also undock while the computer is on after i run the easy eject utility.

dexterryu · #9 Post by **dexterryu** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:46 pm

gt5l wrote:
seeplus wrote:I think from reading other threads (and having a prob. with USB on my adv.-mini dock) that the problem lies in the PC/Dock connector.

Try pushing down on the system to make a firmer seat, or taking out the battery (before mounting in the dock) to see if the connection becomes more reliable.
Thanks for the advice, but in my case all i do is unplug then plug again the USB connection to resolve the situation. It is always my kensington track ball, i moved it today to a different USB connection to see if that helps, but it did not, the next time i docked the computer I had to remove then re-connect the USB to get the computer to recognize the track ball. BTW, i dock while the computer is on (not sleep mode or off) is that wrong? I also undock while the computer is on after i run the easy eject utility.

Since the problem seems to follow the device I'd say it's the track ball. Have you tried a different one or any other USB device to see if they has similar problems?

gt5l · #10 Post by **gt5l** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:17 pm

Know that I am home I can clarify things a little better (no phone driving me nuts and the kids are in bed now). So here is what happens, the trackball connection through the dock stops every time I dock the computer (if the computer is on) and I can get it to work if I unplug the trackball USB connection and plug it in again. This happens regardless no matter which USB port the trackball is connected through. Now I doubt that the problem is the trackball, even thought the problem follow the trackball and not the actual USB port and here is why. I believe that the computer is not seeing the track ball as a new device connected through the docking port because it is conflicting with some IRQ that the laptop is already using. In addition, I believe this because the problem started ONLY after I plugged a USB presentation controller into the laptop's USB port WHILE the trackball, keyboard, external HD, and Palm Cradle are connected to the four USB ports on the docking station. If I can figure out how to resolve this IRQ conflict when it happens I can get this issue resolved, at least that is what I believe.

wackydan · #11 Post by **wackydan** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:20 am

IBM has a MIGR document on this, and you should call the support # to have them send you a replacement.

We had the same issue, and was told it has something to do with the signal IC within the dock/replicator. I guess they updated the later manufacture of these to resolve the issue.

There is also a document online that points out proper docking procedures that could be part of the problem as well.

i don't have them bookmarked.

USB/Parallel problems with Advanced Mini Dock

USB/Parallel problems with Advanced Mini Dock

This I believe..

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