Basic A31 port replicator question

[Derek B. Cornish]

I've just bought a port replicator (advertised as IBM ThinkPad A/T/R/X Port Replicator 02K8667 08N1536) on eBay. It works fine on my A31, apart from having only one usb port on the replicator itself.

My question is a simple one. The replicator does not show up on the "Safely remove hardware" list. Does this mean that I cannot dock or undock except when the A31 and the replicator are both turned off?

There were no documents with the replicator, and a search on Lenovo/IBM revealed only a pitiful "User's Handbook" that contained no information at all about docking/undocking procedures.

Derek

[Thane_Bitter]

Hi Derek,

I have the same Port Replicator and to answer your question, yes you can "hot dock" or "undock" while the system is on. You will likely find it easier to dock if the screen is folded down (or almost all the way down if you don't want to enter standby mode), so that you can align the TP to the base, (On mine, the right hinge lines up with the right edge of the replicator.
I do find, however, that when I am using an external P/S2 mouse (connected to the replicator), that when I re-dock, the scroll wheel will not work properly (will not scroll).

If you have the program "Access ThinkPad", there is a brief illustrated write up for the procedure included as part of the documentation.

Attaching a port replicator

To attach your computer to a ThinkPad(R) Port Replicator, do the following:
Notes:
A) Before you attach the computer to a ThinkPad Port Replicator, connect an ac adapter to the ThinkPad Port Replicator and an ac power outlet. Use an ac adapter that is designed for your computer.

B) If your computer is operating, make sure that it has finished any operations involving devices that are connected to a USB connector, a serial connector, or a parallel connector. Also make sure that any connection to a modem or an Ethernet port has ended.

1. Attach the computer to the ThinkPad Port Replicator, ensuring that the docking connectors are aligned with each other.

2. Insert your computer into the ThinkPad Port Replicator, along the surface of the port replicator, until you hear a click. The computer is now attached to the ThinkPad Port Replicator.


To detach your computer from a ThinkPad(R) Port Replicator, do the following:
Note:
A) If your computer is operating, make sure that it has finished operations involving devices that are connected to the USB connector, the serial connector, or the parallel connector. Also make sure that any connection to a modem or an Ethernet is stopped.
B) Make sure that the battery pack is fully charged.

1. Make sure that the security lock is removed.

2. Press the release button of the ThinkPad Port Replicator until the computer lifts up; then, grasping both sides, remove the computer.

(Excerpts From Access Help, (C) Copyright International Business Machine Corporation 2001. All rights reserved.

Happy Docking

Thane

[Derek B. Cornish]

Thanks, Thane. That was very helpful and answers all my questions.

I like the replicator because it raises the back of the A31 - giving better ergonomics and possibly better air circulation, too.

All the best,

Derek

[schen]

By and large, the port replicator is basically transparent to your system. Connecting and disconnecting is a total non-issue as long as your connected devices don't require that they be stopped.