The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    CF-VEB181 dock: poor VGA output?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Zakalwe, Sep 15, 2009.

  1. Zakalwe

    Zakalwe Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I have bought a CF-VEB181 port replicator for use with my CF-19. Not that I really needed one of these things, but there were a couple of used ones available for cheap on ebay, so I thought I could give it a try. Turns out it can be quite practical, there is a PS2-port for my nice old-fashioned keyboard, and hot-docking seems to work fine despite what the manual says.

    However, the video signal coming out of the dock's VGA port is noticeably poorer than when I use the Toughbook's own VGA port. Normally I have no problem driving a 1920x1200 screen with good image quality, but through the dock it gets quite... well, 'blurry' is not the right word, but it looks bad. With smaller screens it seems a little better, but not much. It is ok for work, I suppose, but still.

    Does anyone know whether this is expected, or should I try my luck with a replacement?
     
    Zakalwe, Sep 15, 2009
    #1
  2. onirakkiss

    onirakkiss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    552
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Have a look on the surface of the connectors. If they are dirty u will get such effects.
    And try to turn the Main-powerplug 180degree. sometimes there is a small ripple wave on the Main voltage, which will add itself to the ripple from an other powersource (monitor).
     
    onirakkiss, Sep 15, 2009
    #2
  3. Toughbook

    Toughbook Drop and Give Me 20!

    Reputations:
    1,267
    Messages:
    7,361
    Likes Received:
    370
    Trophy Points:
    251
    That's exactly what I was thinking... Try a pencil eraser to wipe the connectors... It's abrasive enough to wear away dirt and grime... But not the connector. I started using this trick on slot cars when I was 7... Still works today...
     
    Toughbook, Sep 15, 2009
    #3
  4. Zakalwe

    Zakalwe Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Hey, good ideas, thanks! The power seems ok (tried twisting and even unplugging, no change). But while I could not see any dirt on the connectors, rubbing and scrubbing them has brought some progress anyway: the image is not perfect yet, but my little shell windows are legible again. I'm not sure of the best way to clean the actual VGA port, I tried poking into the holes with the eye-end of a needle, but I have to admit this sounds like something that might do more harm than good. :)

    So now I have the replicator in a useful shape (but I'll keep on wiping), and I also know they can do better graphics than what I saw first, so I may actually buy another one to have at home.
     
    Zakalwe, Sep 15, 2009
    #4