Knowledge Base

This article provides information on docking stations used with Dell Latitude and Precision Laptops

Table of Contents:

1. Docking Stations for Dell Laptops
2. Benefits to using a Docking Solution
3. Docking Issues and Troubleshooting
4. Compatibility Information:

1. Docking Stations for Dell Notebooks

The latest E-Series docking solutions introduced the E-Port II and E-Port+ II. They have almost all of the same characteristics of their predecessors, the E-Port and E-Port+, except that they now support the USB 3.0 devices.

The table below shows a comparison between the different docking solutions available for the Latitude E-series and Precision Mobile systems.

This guide will provide an overview to docks. It will go over the benefits and give advice on troubleshooting an issues you may have.

Back to Top

2. Benefits to using a Docking Solution

Sometimes a Docking Station is referred to as a Port Replicator. They are the same thing.

A Port Replicator is a peripheral that increases the number and type of ports its possible to use on a notebook system.

A Port Replicator will allow multiple screens to be connected and used with your notebook.

You can site a docking station on a desk or work space with permanent access to additional storage, printers and other peripherals. You get the benefits of a Desktop computer with the option to undock and remove the notebook for use away from the work space.

Port replicators can be added to other peripherals such as a monitor stand, due to a modular connection approach that multiplies the different way this can be configured.

These docks should work with any E-Series notebook that has a dock connector on the base. Any such latitude notebook can be plugged to any E-series dock and pick up whatever is plugged to that dock.

Those Latitude systems manufactured since the E7x40/50 & E5x40/50 systems were introduced should be used with a spacer to help prevent damage to the docking ports of the system or APR where appropriate.

The types of Latitude system that typically wouldn't have the regular docking connector are those like the tablet models which have their own docks. There are also some specialist Latitude system types such as the Rugged series which have their own docks.

These devices are hot swap-able as they use a USB connection to dock to your system. You do not need to set up a docked profile to use them. (This means the system can be docked while it is already powered up into windows, or be disconnected without shutting it down. Sometimes called Hot-Docking.)

• E-Port II - Visual Guide to your Dock.
• E-Port Plus II - Visual Guide to your Dock.
• E-Monitor - Visual Guide to your Stand.
• E-Flat Panel - Visual Guide to your Stand.
• E-View - Visual Guide to your Stand.

Back to Top

3. Docking Issues and Troubleshooting

The main issues seen with a dock are usually obvious and readily identified.

• Damage to the dock or ports.
• Doesn't dock to the system.
• No Power.
• Faulty Ports.

Luckily the troubleshooting is the same across most of these faults.

1. Visually inspect the dock, the buttons, the security slide, the ports and the system to ensure there is no visible damage to any parts or that the security lock is engaged. If there is no damage or impediments then proceed with this guide. Damage to peripherals would be chargeable in most cases.

2. Dock the system to the dock and check if you can see anything preventing a solid connection?

   1. If you can then contact your support to take this further.

   2. If you can't, then move on to the next step.

3. Ensure the AC adapter plugged to the dock is the correct size. 90-130W

4. Try docking your system to another dock and try another system on your dock. Does the fault follow the machine, stay with the dock or is now seen across both system and dock?

   1. If the fault follows the machine, then you will need to troubleshoot the system further. This will usually involve ruling out the Operating system and the docking plastics and connector on the base of the system.

   2. If the fault stays with the dock, then the issue is with the dock. Contact your support to take this further.

   3. If the fault goes in both directions, then it's probably that the issue is with both the dock and the system.

5. The last 4 steps should have identified any Damage, No Power and doesn't dock issues. To troubleshoot faulty ports on a dock, you follow the same steps as for faulty ports on a system. Complete steps 1-4 to ensure the fault is with the dock. Identify which port is having the issue.

6. Swap the cable and peripheral to another dock, does the fault follow the peripheral?

   1. If it does then the fault lies with the peripheral and cable.

   2. If it doesn't then re-plug to your dock and see if the issue returns?

      1. If it does, but the issue was intermittent. Move the cable while it is plugged to the dock and see if it affects the issue? contact your support with the results.

      2. If it does and the fault is constant, then contact your support to take this further.

      3. If it doesn't then the issue was most likely a connection issue and re-seating it has resolved the problem.

Your Dock has a years warranty as standard, if purchased separately from the system. If it was bought with the system, it will take on the warranty of the system. You can check your Warranty Status on the link below :

• Warranty Status.

Back to Top

4. Compatibility Information:

If you have a Rugged Latitude instead, please check out the article below:

• A guide to docking station solutions for your Latitude Rugged Extreme PC.

If instead you have a Latitude tablet, please check out the article below:

• A guide to Docking Station Solutions for your Latitude Tablet PC.

If instead you have a Latitude PC without a docking connection port, please check out the Wireless article below:

• A guide to Wireless Docking Station Solutions for your Latitude PC.

If instead you have a Latitude PC without a docking connection port, please check out the Wired article below:

• A guide to Wired Docking Station Solutions for your Latitude PC.

The E-Port II docks and above have DisplayPort 1.2 as standard, please check out the article below if you're looking to get the most out of this standard:

• How to Configure U2415 Monitor Daisy Chaining on Intel HD Graphics

Back to Top