"Hotdock" with HP Docking Station possible?

Can someone confirm that the HP Basic/Advanced support hotdocking, which I assumes mean docking the computer while the power is on. My nc6400 locks up or goes to a black screen if I try to hotdock. Tech support asked if I could try another computer or docking station but I dont have one. I can hot undock without any problems.

Has anyone with either the nc6400 or any HP notebook sucessfully hotdocked? Should I return the docking station or computer? I was advised to bring my laptop into a service center, so I might try that, but I dont know if they'll be able to solve anything. Thanks.

 

I've done it a few times, but I usually have problems with my GPU properly recognizing that the active screen as changed.

From my conversations with techs, HP doesn't have a lot of experience with hot docking on their machines. They can't even configure the laptop to have an 'undock' button in the start bar like some of the Dell's I've used.

However, when I did speak with HP about it, they actually recommended leaving the laptop off when docking/undocking. At this point I have to agree with them.

 

I wanted to post an update on my issue. It turns out that the DVI connection is causing the lockup when I hotdock. If I disconnect the DVI, it hotdocks without problems. I've updated the drivers and installed whatever patches HP has suggested. They did confirm that it should hotdock without any problems so they issued me a return, but I dont think that'll help.

Anyone else have any ideas why the DVI would lock up the computer? Thanks!

 

I "hotdock" all the time with my nc6400 using both DVI and VGA and using the Intel GMA 950. I do not have any problems, ever, while doing so. (Except in Windows Vista)

Does your laptop have an ATI graphics chip? They are rather unstable.

 

Yes, I have the ATI X1300 128 MB video card. Hmm, I have a bad feeling that you're right and my new nc6400 that I ordered (upgraded to a core 2) will probably have the same problems. I even asked for a new docking station. So would you say this is a driver problem? I hope Vista will fix it if it is. Thanks for the reply.

-Andy

 

I would say it's an ATI problem

 

I tought GMA950 cannot be used with DVI? At least in nc6320. It really works with nc6400?

 

I have an ATI and when hot docking there's no problem pulling it off the dock it's when I put it back on the dock that it goes into hibernation mode???

 

I hotdock everyday with no problems

 

Gridtalker, do you have an nc6400 with ATI video? Are you using DVI for your external monitor?

Vikingjunior, I too can pull it off with no problems, but docking locks up or shuts down my machine rather than hibernate.

FYI: I will be getting my new nc6400 today. I'll post my results. I will also be getting a new docking station, but that may be a few days out.

 

Of course it does. The GMA 950 has excellent DVI support; it definitely works better than any ATI Mobility chipset I've ever used. Of course, you need a docking station for the DVI port...

 

Now I don't understand why nc6320 doesn't support DVI output...

 

Well, I got my new nc6400 replacement and it still locks up on the hotdock!

I'm doubtful that the new docking station that'll I soon get will fix the problem.

Darn.