HP printer prevents X61 undocking from ultrabase

[Mschwager]

I'm hoping someone can help me with this, because I've gone through every option I can think of with no luck resolving this problem

I have an X61 laptop that is docked to an ultrabase. The ultrabase is connected to an HP officejet pro K550.

Whenever I try to undock the machine, I get an error saying that the unit cannot undock because the device "USB printing support" is in use by a program. The only way to get the machine to undock is to turn off the power to the printer (not a satisfactory solution).

I've deleted the docking profiles in windows, Disabled bi-directional printer communication, used the undock option from the start menu, the easy eject utility, and the button on the side of the ultrabase with no luck. Google has been equally unhelpful, as has HP's tech support.

If anyone has encountered this problem before and has a fix that doesn't involve unplugging the printer. I'd love to hear it.

[tboehme]

Hi Mschwager,

I had a similar problem with a DisplayLink USB adapter. I could not undock without unplugging it first. Same message about device in use.

However, after I installed Vista SP1 this Wednesday, the problem is gone and undocking works well.

Of course, I don't know if it will help you as well.

regards,
Thomas

[Mschwager]

Unfortunately, the laptop is running XP SP2, with all up to date drivers.

[j-dawg]

This doesn't really solve your problem so much as circumvent it, but if you've got another computer in the house or if you've got a wireless network, you might benefit from connecting the printer to a print server and attaching that to the network. Then you'd solve your dock problem as well as being able to print wirelessly and from other computers.

Of course, that doesn't really solve your problem. See if you can find a way to install the HP print drivers without the software. HP's quality printers are always let down by its intrusive software; if you could install the drivers without the software, you might solve the problem.

[billp117]

The only way I could solve the problem was to disable the port. That is not a solution. My X60s had no problem undocking until I took some updates from the Lenovo update site. Not Good!!!