Compaq Tablet NIC goes AWOL when docked

[Hyce]

Tablet #1: delivered & configured fine in laptop mode. NIC monitor lights on Tablet serve both docked and undocked modes. Docked with Ethernet cable still in Tablet: n/w connection reports still connected but not receiving packets. Docked with Ethernet cable in docking station: n/w connection reports 'disconnected'. Tried second docking station - no joy. Tried loading updated NIC driver - no joy. 2 engineers later, Tablet is replaced under warranty as (perhaps) having faulty docking connector.

Tablet #2: replacement configured fine standalone. Docked with Ethernet cable still in Tablet: not receiving many packets. Docked with Ethernet cable in docking station: this time reports intermittent connection (2-3 secs). I've tested NIC with Intel NIC monitoring s/w: reports OK.

Both run fine the moment they're undocked.

Running on VLANed 100MB, Win2K / Active Directory n/w. Socket and cable works fine for other PCs and NIC works fine in undocked mode.

Anyone got a fix or have I really been unlucky enough to get two tablets with similar but different docking connector faults?

 

[Hyce]

Investigations so far reveal that there seems to be a possible drop in signal strength using the docking station which is causing a problem at the switch. On the other hand, such sensitivity may just be a problem with a specific port on the switch. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Hyce]

Yep - turned out to be the switch. (Faulty UPS) Bear in mind that everything else works fine on the same switch. The Docking station adds just enough additional resistance to trigger a fault - remember, the docking station isn't faulty and the Tablet works fine on the network when undocked. We can replicate this fault with other Tablets AND some Dell PCs (we have mainly Compaq).