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Who has a D Dock and can I get some feedback on them

post #1 of 20
6/17/06 at 7:42pm
Thread Starter 
Ok well I ordered a D Dock simply because I like the idea of a fixed dock for my external monitor and my USB connections. I have my M90 hooked to my 2405 + all of my game controllers and it seems to avoid some of the wear and tear. I also ordered some Audigy2 ZS PCI cards (I figured if it worked well I could offere some to some of the guys on the cheap). I am also looking for adapters to put a second hard drive either into the D-dock or into the M90.

however I have seen some posts about issues with USB recognition issues and issues with sound cards, So I am looking for some feedback from those who have D-Docks and how they like them.

So any feedback from the M90\M1710 owners out there would be great.

Thanks guys
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post #2 of 20
6/17/06 at 8:15pm
My first D/Dock was returned due to the fact that I couldn't fit an Audigy ZS PCI card into it well enough to be recognized.
My new D/Dock and a new X-Fi PCI fit, and the sound is very good with my ADA 885 digital speakers.
I'd be interested in the answers to the other two questions, as I would like to utilize the bay for either a floppy or a second hd.
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post #3 of 20
6/17/06 at 8:30pm
I use a DDock with my Latitude D820. I haven't had a problem with it recognizing USB peripherals or anything else. Works great. I keep a DVD-RW drive in the DBay since I don't do much burning away from my desk. I like being able to plop the laptop down and use it with my regular keyboard mouse and monitor.
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post #4 of 20
6/18/06 at 1:27am
I have an M90 docked and an M70 docked and they work great. The M90 dock has an Audigy card and an 2nd HDD installed and everything works great. I have also used different USB devices with no issues incuding the Logitech DiNovo desktop setup wich I also love. The M70 has an extra DVD-RW driver with external USB devies and it also works with no problems. I love the D-Docks! My next addition will hopefully be a 2405/2407 monitor.
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post #5 of 20
6/18/06 at 2:05am
I have a D/Dock with an Audigy 2 card in it for my M1710 and I absolutely love it. The first one I ordered did not recognize the sound card, but the second one works perfectly.

It seems to me like there may be some quality issues in the docks themselves that make them somewhat hit-or-miss, but they are awesome when they do work, and I wouldn't give mine up. I also use a D/Port at work, and the convenience of only having to deal with the one connector when moving the computer between home and work (a daily ordeal for me) is really hard to beat. If the M1710 didn't have a docking connector, I would have chosen a different notebook (I almost bought a D820).
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post #6 of 20
6/18/06 at 12:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sykes
I have a D/Dock with an Audigy 2 card in it for my M1710 and I absolutely love it. The first one I ordered did not recognize the sound card, but the second one works perfectly.

It seems to me like there may be some quality issues in the docks themselves that make them somewhat hit-or-miss, but they are awesome when they do work, and I wouldn't give mine up. I also use a D/Port at work, and the convenience of only having to deal with the one connector when moving the computer between home and work (a daily ordeal for me) is really hard to beat. If the M1710 didn't have a docking connector, I would have chosen a different notebook (I almost bought a D820).

Good info so far guys thanks. I guess I am going to have to make sure that the D-Dock recognizes everything right off the bat I picked one up for $69.99 shipped offa Fleabay just waiting on fedex ground to get it here.
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post #7 of 20
6/18/06 at 7:55pm
Bal'thzar, this is my experience with 2 different docking stations purchased on fleabay. They were purchased with a corporate order of Laptops and none of the users took them. So the director of IT noticed all these docking stations just taking up space in storage so he has them sent off to a liquidator. I bought mine for $75 shipped on fleabay and it was BRAND NEW in box. Paid $20 for the D-family monitor stand.
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post #8 of 20
6/19/06 at 2:15am
Slightly off topic, but why are people putting audigy 2's in there when the x-fi supposedly also fits/works?
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post #9 of 20
6/19/06 at 3:20am
My worry about the X-Fi would be the stagnant air in the D/Dock's PCI slot area. That processor (combined with the DAC) generates QUITE a bit of heat. It's 400Mhz but is quite a bit hotter than you'd expect a 400Mhz processor to be.

I'd really be worried about heat using an X-Fi in the D/Dock - it might very well work, but knowing Creative's hardware QA and *especially* their warranty policies, it might not work *forever*.
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post #10 of 20
6/19/06 at 12:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by z5300
Slightly off topic, but why are people putting audigy 2's in there when the x-fi supposedly also fits/works?
In my case, it's just because I already had the Audigy 2, and didn't feel like shelling out the extra cash for an X-Fi which would only provide marginally better features.
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post #11 of 20
6/19/06 at 1:56pm
I got some for our D620s at work and really like them. Also got the notebook stand (dunno if it'd hold a 1710...)

Docking is simple enough for the women to use it, and they don't have to mess with a bunch of cords.

The notebook stand tilts and raises up, it's great.
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post #12 of 20
6/19/06 at 2:45pm
Destruya,
I wonder if keeping the back cover off would be the answer to the air flow to the X-Fi card.
I'm very happy with mine.
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post #13 of 20
6/19/06 at 2:51pm
I just set up my D/Dock last night and noticed that there's a small clicking noise when the laptop is charging. Does anyone else have this prob too? I got it for a really good price ($38 for new, shipped off ebay)

Anyway, I dunno how much heat the X-Fi will generate, but I can let you guys know soon how the setup performs (too bad newegg sent me an open box item : )
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post #14 of 20
6/19/06 at 10:02pm
WOW, what the hell. My computer won't even load up when docked! If I dock it while Windows is running, it gives me the error: Angell USB Hub power overload, or something like that. Anyone with this problem plz respond!!!!!!!!!!
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post #15 of 20
6/19/06 at 11:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by maelstrom01
WOW, what the hell. My computer won't even load up when docked! If I dock it while Windows is running, it gives me the error: Angell USB Hub power overload, or something like that. Anyone with this problem plz respond!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not positive what your problem is, but FYI, the four USB ports on the D/DOCK are not all powered. Only the side one is powered. The three on the back of the dock are not powered and if you plug something in that requires a good amount of power, you may overload it and cause the error you are receiving.

Just an idea.
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post #16 of 20
6/20/06 at 1:43am
He's probably got something wrong with his dock, all the DDock's USB ports are powered, the USB port on the side is a USB + Power port for the external media bay. My DDock doesn't give me any grief when plugging stuff into it.
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post #17 of 20
6/20/06 at 10:09am
I was sure I had read that when I was researching the D/DOCK, but it makes sense what you said. Now that i've gone back to try to find my info again, of course I can't find it!

I thought it odd that they would have unpowered USB ports on a docking station!
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post #18 of 20
6/20/06 at 12:06pm
Thanks for your help guys. I've found that it doesn't really matter where I plug in the USB devices, side or back (the devices are MX1000 mouse, TV tuner, and remote receiver), but when I do, Windows will not make it to the blue "welcome" screen. If I plug them in after Windows boots up, Windows will not shut down. Maybe the USB receiver shorted or something, but it shouldn't have been anything too power intensive. Once in a while, the MX1000 mouse does work, but Windows goes through "Detect hardware: USB reciever found" after startup Any hunches? I'm guessing the D/Dock might have been damaged or something in shipping.
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post #19 of 20
6/21/06 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 
well I got mine hooked up and one thing I noticed is that the USB ports are fine unless you push them to the side slightly then they won't recognize. but I am going to pop it open and take a look.

by the way guys I got the Audigy 2 ZS's if'n anyone needs one
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post #20 of 20
6/21/06 at 2:20am
OK guys, I have narrowed the problem down further. Whenever I plug in the TV tuner that came with the system, I get an error that says: "Power Surge on Port". The power light on the TV tuner blinks and does not work through Media Center. Whenever the message shows, Windows will neither close or boot up. Can anybody run the TV tuner through the Dock here?
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