Thinkpads Forum

I've had a T400 with an Advanced Mini Dock for a few months, and slowly I'm able to put more time into configuring the system and working out the kinks. One that I haven't worked out yet is that the 4x USB ports on the dock don't seem to put out appreciable power- devices won't charge and a keyboard on a PS2>USB adapter doesn't get enough power to function (or at least I can't get the LEDs to light). When I plug anything into the on-board ports however, everything seems fine.

This is both the case in Debian Testing and Win7 RC1. Does this sound like a manufacturing problem with the dock, or is there something else I can look at?

Do you have an external power supply plugged in, or have you checked that the power supply is working (charging your computer)?

If so, sounds like a manufacturing problem and you should return it for a checkup...

Is there a BIOS setting to enable/disable dock usb ports? (If so, make sure it isn't this)

This sounds like a dock problem to me. If you plug a powered USB hub into the dock, do all devices now function properly while hooked to the hub? If yes, it's definitely a power issue with the dock. If even a powered hub does not work, then it could be an issue with either the Thinkpad dock connector, system board, or the dock. There are no BIOS settings for dock devices, don't waste time looking.

Harryc wrote:There are no BIOS settings for dock devices, don't waste time looking.

Sorry for nitpicking, but you mean for dock USB devices. Because there is a very important setting to enable/disable legacy COM/LPT devices on the dock.

I agree that it seems strange and likely means there is a problem with the dock. My advanced mini-dock succesfully works with USB keyboard/mouse, and can charge an iPod.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that setting. Wasn't that only for T6X machines, and wasn't it implemented to eliminate some weird undocking issue? I could turn on a T400 to see if it's there, but I'm too lazy .
http://www.paraesthesia.com/archive/200 ... olved.aspx

Edit: Well, I got curious and looked at the T400 BIOS. The config option is; "Legacy Devices on Mini-Dock" - Enabled/Disabled.

Yes. It is implemented to overcome the problem of computer freeze/bluescreen during sudden power loss while docked. Something which happened to me quite often because of the weak electrical infrastructure in this 30-year-old building I currently reside. in.

Luckily I really don't need these legacy ports. Must suck if you do need them, and have electrical problems. Then again, one can always connect a UPS...

Thanks, I knew I wasn't seeing things. (sorry it didn't help, however)

I'll have to dig around to see if I can find a powered USB hub. My Thinkpad does charge when plugged in, and when I plug my phone in it mounts the folders and claims to charge (but doesn't if I leave it there). I'll file an incident with Lenovo and see what they say. Thanks for the insight!

I never did find a powered hub, but I requested RMA of the dock and got a new one a few days ago. No difference. Could the ports just be wussy by nature?

I've had a few odd glitchy problems with this machine since I've had it, actually. It doesn't wake from sleep reliably and the spacebar makes a very loud clicking sound when used. New bios, these things shouldn't still be an issue?

i have the same problem

i plug my keyboard and mouse into the dock. the lights on my mouse comes on for about 20 seconds, and during the first 5 seconds, the mouse works. but after that it doesnt work anymore. after another 20 seconds, the lights come back on the mouse and they cycle repeats

for me it is a hit or miss. sometimes the mouse and keyboard work all the time, and sometimes they dont work at all. i too am using windows rc1

when i come out of sleep mode, sometimes i cannot change the brightness settings. and my space key does hav ea very loud click also

Ragueneau wrote:I've had a T400 with an Advanced Mini Dock for a few months, and slowly I'm able to put more time into configuring the system and working out the kinks. One that I haven't worked out yet is that the 4x USB ports on the dock don't seem to put out appreciable power- devices won't charge and a keyboard on a PS2>USB adapter doesn't get enough power to function (or at least I can't get the LEDs to light). When I plug anything into the on-board ports however, everything seems fine.

This is both the case in Debian Testing and Win7 RC1. Does this sound like a manufacturing problem with the dock, or is there something else I can look at?

I do remember reading somewhere that you must have the 90W AC Adapter in order to power the USB ports, etc., and have found this to be the case with my own Advanced Mini Dock and T400 combo.

/Eric
Edit: The following information comes from the Lenovo site. Note that the Advanced Mini Dock ships with a 90W adapter only.
reference: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 61297.html

Packaging

* ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock with security keys
* 90-watt AC Power Adapter
* Power cord (varies by country)
* Setup poster
* User's guide
* Warranty manual

Any word from Lenovo? Certainly sounds suspect.

I've had my advanced mini dock + T60p for over two years now and (knock on wood) it works great. I have various devices attached at times, but I think I always have a KB, mouse, WebCam and usb connector for my monitor's usb ports.

idxman01 wrote:I have various devices attached at times, but I think I always have a KB, mouse, WebCam and usb connector for my monitor's usb ports.

And the monitor USB hub is attached directly to the laptop?

The OP is going to PM me and hopefully post back on this board when he tries the 90W adapter on his mini dock. I'm pretty positive that is the issue, since I can reproduce it 100% of the time with my own *and* Lenovo only ships the 90W adapter with the Advanced Mini Dock.

dr_st wrote:And the monitor USB hub is attached directly to the laptop?

I believe any combination I've tried works whether it's to the back of the dock, the laptop, etc.. Currently it's hooked to the dock for convenience.