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Dell D620 Docking Problem

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6 replies

by mark.kitson

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I have a Dell D620 that was ordered with a doclking station. About half the time I re-dock the laptop it powers off!! Any one know of a work around or fix for this problem? Very annoying. I don't want to go to our "helpdesk" unless I have to....

6 replies

by robo_dev

There are three methods of docking and undocking a portable computer: cold, warm, and hot. A cold dock or undock means that the computer has been shut down before it is inserted into or removed from the docking station. A warm dock or undock means the computer has been put into standby mode before it is inserted into or removed from the docking station. A hot dock or undock means that the computer is running, with or without programs and documents open, when it is inserted into or removed from the docking station.

If your device supports hot docking, then you must select 'Eject PC' to undock, or it may crash when you re-dock it (hot or warm).

Some PCs have bios settings which control whether it can warm or hot dock.

by amlynch1128

I have essentially the same problem with my D620, it has been a year since the above post, and my docking station has been iffy at times. I have the docking station with the D/Monitor stand, much like everyone else. If my laptop is running and docked, and I undock it, it's fine. I have sometimes pressed the button on the stand next to the power button that prepares it for undocking. When I come back from a meeting though, and redock, I have mixed luck on whether the system responds or not. If I take the D620 back out and open it up, the screen is black and i have to restart. I guess my question is, is that because I have to "prepare" for redocking? How do I do that?

by the scummy one

If it is a port replicator, and not a dock, then docking/undocking is best to power off.

If it is a dock, it is best to dock with it powered off, and undock by using the eject (undock) option. This option will not appear on most port replicators, only from a real dock.

by mark.kitson

It is a Dell docking station, meant to allow for "HOT" docking, I always click "UNDOCK COMPUTER" before pushing the eject button. About half of the time it works just fine, about half of the time it powers itself off...others I work with don't seem to have this issue. looks like I'll have to invoke support. thanks for the replies

by robo_dev

To rule out that component as a problem. I would also check bios settings and bios revision in case their PC is newer than yours.

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