T43 won't boot when docked

[jas0441]

This just started happening, my T43 won't boot when docked, it stops on the "IBM ThinkPad ; Press the blue Access IBM button to interupt normal setup" screen and will not go further. If undock the machine, it boots right up.

I am using a mini-dock. I have owned it and the monitor for years and have added no new hardware or software.
I have cleaned the connectors with a dust remover can, so the contacts are clean. The battery recharges when docked so I know it is getting power. Just will not boot when clicked in place. I press the de-dock button, open the laptop and it boots!

Any ideas of what causes this and how to fix? It seems to be intermitent. I am not even sure if it is a hardware or software problem.

Thanks.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

My guess would be that there's a hardware issue with something in the dock. Say like a shorted ethernet or modem jack. You could try getting another mini-dock and see if the laptop does the same. That way you know for sure whether the problem is in the laptop or the dock.

One other thing you might be able to try would be to fully boot your system, then place it in the dock and either see if it affects anything or run some PC Doctor tests.

[jas0441]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried booting then docking but that did not do it, BUT, I put my laptop into sleep mode, then docked and pressed the power button..and voila, it worked.
So I will continue doing it that way until that stops working then you are right I will have to buy another docking station and see if that solves the problem.
Thank you for the input.

[jas0441]

Well I have been getting along by docking my T43 in standby mode only, and them it will come on. However, lately it has been putting itself in standby mode while docked, and when that happens it won't reboot again in the docking station.

Do you still think that it is a hardware problem with the docking station. When you suggested that I dock it when fully booted, do you mean keep the lid open and dock it? Because if I close the lid, it will go into Standby mode, and I KNOW it will boot in standby mode. If I try it with the lid open, what specifically should I look for? I don't know how it normally would react.

Thanks for the help

[Pingwin Wielki]

What kind of docking station is that? Is it just the dumb "Port Replicator" (eg. model # 74P6733) or a full-featured "Docking station" (model 2877)? Dumb port replicators doesn't include anything requiring software drivers.

I suggest to disconnect ALL cables attached to docking station (monitor?, mouse? others?) and make some tests.

Power off your Thinkpad and dock it. Now try to turn it on: once by pressing the Thinkpad 'power on' button, once by pressing the docking station 'power on button'. Does it boot and start the system properly? If so, there must be a problem with one of the devices attached to the docking station. If not - you need either a new docking station (there must be a short circuit somewhere inside or on the edge connector) or get your ThinkPad repaired (there may be a problem with T43 edge connector).


Let's assume the previous test was completed successfully (T43 did boot the system). We will play Sherlock Holmes now. Leave the T43 in docking station, but turn it off. Attach all devices one by one, booting Thinkpad after every new connection. You will spot the moment when the just attached device "block" T43 from booting.

Now we need to find out what's wrong: the device or the docking station port of that device. Undock T43 and attach the device directly to ThinkPad. Does it boot and start the system? If so, you have just spotted the malfunctioning port of your docking station. If not - there seems to be a problem with the attached device.

[jas0441]

It does not boot with all disconnections made.

I do not think it is a hardware problem, since it boots all the time when in standby mode. I cleaned all the connections...that is the first thing I did. If it was a connection problem then I would have problems with it turned off or in standby mode too.

When I try to boot it after it has been turned off then docked, it gets to IBM Screen then stops.

I think it is a configuration problem. Related to the safe eject facility possibly?

I contacted this forum to see if I could diagnose it myself before sending it out for service.
Thanks for your help.

[Pingwin Wielki]

It is the hardware problem, I'm sure.

Before sending it for service, please check out if your ThinkPad behave the same way when you dock it in another docking station.

It may be the problem with soldering points of an edge connector (on either ThinkPad or docking station side). When you dock your ThinkPad, you apply a force to make it attached firmly (a short "click" sound confirms that). If there are loose soldering points, the force applied may sometimes (but not always) make them "disconnected".

When ThinkPad boots up it checks for current machine (and replicated ports) configuration. If everything works OK, then it passes the tests and starts loading the system. If there are loose soldering connections, some important signals or power supply may be omitted and that may cause confusion in booting procedure.

At the beginning it was enough to boot ThinkPad separately and then dock it (to bypass internal check procedure), but it didn't mean that all devices were functioning properly. After more and more docking and undocking manouvers, the soldering points will became loose enough to block the ThinkPad after you dock it again...

[jas0441]

Dear Pingwin,
Ok, Thank you for the info.
I am not sure I can find another docking station to try. But maybe I can find one cheap to buy somewhere.

JAS