strange docking station issue

[LithiumKid1976]

hi
i have a user here, who has a T60 laptop with a docking station (model 2504).
she also has a usb hd that she connects to the docking station.

the error that occurs is that if you boot the laptop, in the dock, with this usb hd connected, the usb HD keeps making a clicking noise, and the machine wont boot.


if you try to boot up the laptop, again in the dock, but this time move the usb hd from the back of the docking station to a usb port on the laptop, it boots fine, and no clicking noise comming off the usb hd....

so its a strange one. under the boot options on the laptop i only have it booting from the laptop hd, i have removed all other boot options.


so if any one has seen this before or can offer some advice that would be great.
thanks

[MnR]

Hi,

Does the external USB Drive have the operating system on it? Does the External Hard Drive have a on/Off switch? If it does Try turning the drive off when booting. On my desktop, My Extenal drive is always connected to the computer, But only turned on when needed.

Check the bios to see what drive is set to be the first drive to boot. I have mine to check for the optical drive first then the Hard drive.

MnR

[mazzinia]

It looks like to me that, if the hd is an usb powered one, that the usb plug on the ultrabase is not providing enough juice in that situation, to allow the hd to start up properly (that's the sound you hear)

[RealBlackStuff]

Most USB enclosures come with a Y-splitted cable. Connect both Y-ends to a USB port.