Help! Problems when undocking the Precision M60.

Question

I have a problem with undocking the M60 from the D series port replicator.When I shutdown and undock, and then try to start the M60 again (undocked & unplugged) I get an error message. It tells me the M60 is still docked and I should either dock again or plug it in(?). It's displayed instantly after the first BIOS progress bar screen, overriding any attempts to access the BIOS setup or Boot menu. The battery's full, so that's not the problem. Plugging it in and rebooting works, but if I reboot again without it being plugged in, the same problem occurs. Unplugging while the M60's running works fine.

I've also tried to undock using "Undock Computer" in WinXP as well as push the Undock button on the port replicator. This didn't work properly as (according to the error msg) my serial Wacom Intuos A5 graphics tablet was apparently hogging the COM1 port. I've now temporarily removed the drivers for the tablet, but this only made "Undock Computer" seemingly work correctly. Seemingly, as when you then undock and try to start the M60 from it's suspended state, nothing happens, i.e. pressing the power button does nothing!

I'd like to add that when I first got the M60 (mid August) shutting down & undocking seemed to work, even though I mostly used it plugged in. The only recent changes to the system have been installing the A01 (44.82) display drivers, but now I've rolled those back to A00 (44.24), which didn't help.
Is the docking problem a BIOS issue?

So basically the laptop won't work when undocked and unplugged.
Anyone got a clue how to solve this?

Thanks.

Karell · Answer

Ruba,Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.If this is the Dell Precision M60, then try the following.1.Try updating to the latest bios file here.2.Undock the system, remove the docking profile, and rebuild it.Undock the system, and remove the docking profile.Load the latest version of the Dell System Software from here.With the system turned off, redock it and let it rebuild the docking profile.

RubaDuck · Answer

Thanks Karell, I'll give it a try.

So there is a new Precision M60 BIOS, then?
I'm in Finland, so I've been checking the European support site. There's only the original A00 BIOS (6/25/2003) there. "BIOS: Dell Precision M60 System BIOS, English, Japanese, Precision M60, A00"
Your link didn't work for me, but then for some reason clicking "Downloads" on the US support page just bounces me back to the main page. Do you know why this is?

I've got version A07 of the system software. "System Utilities: Dell Notebook System Software, Utility, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Multi Language, Multi System, v.2.3.2, A07"

Btw, what's the latest M60 video drivers available from the US site? The Euro site has v.44.82.

Karell · Answer

Ruba,So there is a new Precision M60 BIOS, then?Nope, actually, it is the same bios you already have, so don't worry about it.Sorry about that.I've got version A07 of the system software. 'System Utilities: Dell Notebook System Software, Utility, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Multi Language, Multi System, v.2.3.2, A07'The latest version of the System Software is A07, since you already have it, don'tworry about it. Btw, what's the latest M60 video drivers available from the US site? The Euro site has v.44.82.I can't tell if it is the same version or not. The US site has A00 OEM v.2.05.10 for the video drivers. They can be found here.The web page problem is caused by corrupt cookies.Go to the following web pages for information on how to clear your cookies. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;278835 and http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;260897 . Close all open browsers, clear your cookies and temp files, and try again.Try blowing away your docking profile and then recreating it to see if that helps. You can also try resetting the bios defaults, the following should do it.Restart your computer.At the first text on the screen or immediately after the Dell logo appears, press the F2 key every three seconds until the message Entering Setup appears.When the System Setup screen appears, press Alt+F keys at the same time.Press the Esc key.Press the Enter key to save changes and exit.Your computer restarts.

RubaDuck · Answer

I tried both deleting the docked HW profile and resetting the BIOS.
Didn't help. I still get the same error message.
You get the same message if you unplug the port replicator, dock the PC and boot it.

Any other suggestions?

Karell · Answer

Ruba,

If you are using WindowsXP try using system restore to get back to a working
date, or perform a repair install of XP.
If using Win2000, then try performing a repair install of 2000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Using System Restore.
1.Click on (Start,Programs, Accessories,System Tools, System Restore.)
2.Check the box for (Restore my computer to an earlier time)
3.Click Next.
4.Choose a (Restore Date.) before the problem started.
5.Click Next.
6.Click Next again.
7.The system should restore and reboot.

Warning*
A repair install will wipe out all Microsoft updates and SP1.
You need to have SP1 ready to reinstall after the repair install.
You should also reinstall the Microsoft updates that you deem necessary.

How do I perform a Repair Reinstall of Microsoft® Windows® XP?

Discussion
Windows XP includes a new reinstall option, the Repair Reinstall. This option should be used when you have determined that the operating system files are corrupt, but you do not want to completely format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system.

What a Repair Reinstall Will Do
Delete all of the files normally installed by Windows XP.
Reinstall those files from the Windows XP CD.

What a Repair Reinstall Will Not Do
Completely rebuild the registry. A Repair Reinstall only writes to parts of the registry used by Windows XP. It will not completely rebuild the registry.
Delete applications and user settings. A Repair Reinstall will generally leave applications and user settings in the state they were before the Repair was attempted. All applications should remain functional, and all user settings should remain the way they were.
Fix issues caused by corrupt applications or user settings. Since the Repair Reinstall does not affect user or application settings, it will not repair issue stemming from those settings being corrupt.
Solution

Performing a Repair Reinstall
1.Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD or DVD drive.
2.Configure your system to boot to the CD drive.
3.Restart the computer.
4.When the computer prompts Press any key to boot from CD, press the (Spacebar).
5.The Welcome to Setup screen appears.
6.Press the (Enter) key to continue.
7.The system scans to see which hard drives are available.
8.When the license agreement screen appears, press the (F8) key to accept the license agreement.
9. You should now see: (C:\Windows )
Press F3 to quit, R to repair, ECS not to repair.
You want to press R at this point.
Windows will begin to load some files...asking you to please wait.
10.Setup will proceed with the installation sequence appropriate to the version of Windows XP being repaired.
Once setup is complete, the system will restart.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
How to perform a Win2000 repair install:

1) Make sure CD-Rom is first Boot Device in your Bios
2) Insert your Windows 2000 CD
3) Once this is done boot up using CD-Rom Drive. ( When "Hit any Key to Boot From CD-Rom" appears on screen, hit any key on keyboard to invoke CD-Rom boot)
4)You will get a Windows 2000 setup screen, Press "R" to begin repair process.
5)On the next screen, Press "F" to begin the "Fast Repair" option.
6)On the next screen, if you have created the Emergency Repair Disks hit enter or press "L" if you do not have an ER-Disk.
7)Windows 2000 will now search for installs on your system
8)If you have only one install of Windows 2000 you will get different options. Press "ENTER" on your keyboard to continue. Or if there's more than one 2000 install, select the installation you wish to repair and then hit "ENTER"
9)Windows 2000 will now repair your system either from the Emergency Repair Disks (ERD) or from the CD, once done your system will reboot and hopefully everything will be working fine

Images of the 2000 repair install can be found on the following web page:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/win2k/repairw2k/page1.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------

RubaDuck · Answer

That's the first thing I tried. :(

WinXP doesn't seem to be involved, as the error is shown directly after the Dell BIOS screen.
I can't get a boot menu by pressing F12, for instance. So I can't boot from CD.

This is the error text:

"The computer is docked and only battery power is detected. This can happen if the power adapter is missing, the power cord is unplugged, or the computer is not properly connected to the docking station.
You should undock, redock, attach a power adapter, or plug in the power cord.
Strike the F1 key to shutdown."

Is there a hardware problem? I have been careful when docking/undocking, so there *shouldn't* be any damage to the PC.

Karell · Answer

Ruba,

I found the following which may help.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Question:
What errors will I get if using the incorrect AC Adapter?

Answer:
-If the system is booting docked with no AC adapter, you will see the following message:
The computer is docked and only battery power is detected. This can happen if the power adapter is missing, the power cord is unplugged, or the computer is not properly connected to the docking station.
You should undock, redock, attach a power adapter, or plug in the power cord.
Strike the F1 key to shutdown.

-If the system is booting docked with an unknown AC adapter attached to the dock, you will see the following message:
Your system is docked, but the AC Power Adapter type cannot be determined.
Either undock or insert an appropriate adapter.
Strike the F1 key to shutdown.

-If the system is booting docked with an AC adapter less than 90W attached to the dock, you will see the following message:
Your power adapter does not supply enough power to run the attached docking station.
Either undock or insert an appropriate adapter.
Strike the F1 key to shutdown.

-If the system is booting undocked with an unknown AC adapter attached, you will see the following message:
The AC Power Adapter type cannot be determined. This will prevent optimal system performance.
Strike the F3 key (before the F1 or F2 key) if you do not want to see warning messages again.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.

-If the system is booting undocked with an AC adapter less than 90W, you will see the following message:
WARNING: A 65W AC Power Adapter has been detected, preventing optimal system performance.
Strike the F3 key (before the F1 or F2 key) if you do not want to see warning messages again.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.
NOTE: This error message should only occur on the Latitude D800, D805, D910, Inspiron 8500, Precision M60 and Precision M70 line systems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look for Bent or Missing Pins on the Adapter:
If the adapter type cannot be determined or is reported incorrectly when it appears it should be the correct adapter, check the ac adapter barrel connector that plugs into the system.
Recessed inside the barrel is a short pin. Make sure that this pin is not bent or missing. This pin sends information on the ac adapter type for the D-series portables and if it is bent or missing, the battery will not be charged.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

RubaDuck · Answer

Well, the first message is clearly the one I'm getting, but not for the "right" reason, as the laptop's not plugged in. I checked my power adapters (APR & laptop) to be sure, but they're both alright. I can't see anything wrong with them or the laptop itself.

Is there anything to be done or should I just contact your service dept.?

Karell · Answer

Ruba, You've done everything on your part that I can think of. At this point it may have to be a motherboard replacement. Go ahead and contact support for warranty info.

GerhardG · Answer

Hi all!

SInce yesterday I have the same Problem, but with a D800. Shutting down the undocked computer at home in the evening, when I wanted to boot up undocked the next day in the office, I got the message: "The computer is docked and only battery power is detected. ..... Strike the F1 key to shutdown."

If the machine is in the docking station or undocked and connected to the power supply it works fine, but undocked and without any external power supply: Nada. Won´t enter Setup, will not even flich if in Standby and you try to wake it up. I operate the machine with two battery packs, which are topped with energy, but the Computer will not start without the power cables.

I have upgraded just now to A05 - BIOS. But the Problem persists.

Any hints how I can tell the machine it IS NOT docked? Can I delete the Machine Profile for docked or undocked?

Thanks a lot, Gerhard

Karell · Answer

Gerhard,

The last report I got on this was that only replacing the motherboard fixed the problem.
Contact Dell Support and provide all the information on the problem to setup service for the motherboard.

chriscady311 · Answer

I have 3 new Dell Inspiron 8500's and 2 of them are having the same problem. The computer works fine when it's on the docking station but when I go shut it down, undock it (the correct way), and boot it back up w/out the power cord....I get this msg; 'This computer is docked and only battery power is detected. This can happen if the power adapter is missing, the power cord is unplugged, or the computer is not properly connected to the docking station.   You should undock, redock, attach a power adapter, or plug in the power cord.    Strike the F1 key to shutdown.' It boots up fine WITH the power cord though but still thinks its docked even though I'm not!  IT JUST WON'T BOOT UP WHEN RUNNING ON BATTERY even though the battery is fully charged and works fine on other systems. Doesn't even get to the splash screen. Dell has already replaced the motherboard for this same issue. No go. I have unplugged all peripherals, flashed the bios (with the latest flash A05 from floppy), disabled all components in bios, and tried all the different bios settings but to no avail. I really need some help here FAST....TODAY!

texair · Answer

While waiting for tech support to answer my phone call. I registered and posting this question. Below is what I get when rebooting the laptop after disconnecting it from the docking station:

This computer is docked and only battery power is detected. This can happen if the power adapter is missing, the power cord is unplugged, or the computer is not properly connected to the docking station.

You should undock, redock, attach a power adapter, or plug in the power cord.

Strike the F1 key to shutdown.

This is a Inspiron 8500 laptop.

Message Edited by texair on 11-24-2003 12:41 PM

dendthoff · Answer

I just started having this problem with my M60 today as well.  I flashed the bios to A02 and have tried changing a few options in the BIOS but so far have no joy.

texair · Answer

After about two hours with tech support, upgrading the bios, deleting hardware profile, waiting while the techs confered - the end result was 'We are sending you a new laptop and docking station. Return yours, so we can troubleshoot it here.  We have heard of this particular problem, but have not received any of those customers laptops to troubleshoot the problem, because they did not want to send them in.'  I did format the drive and reinstall the os, with the same error.  This error is definitely pre operating system.  Oh, and I was unable to get into the BIOS or boot menu, when in battery mode, with this error.  And, when the power cord was attached, I could get into the bios, and it showed 'Un docked' as the status, but couldn't see this status, when in battery mode, as it would not go into the bios.

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Help! Problems when undocking the Precision M60.

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