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99688
January 5th, 2010 11:00
Overheating Dell E6400 in docking station
When I dock my Dell E6400 in the pro 2X docking station/port replicator it quickly overheats, and I cannot proceed (the mouse moves erratically and reacts very slowly). When I take the notebook off the docking station operation returns back to normal. I rarely have a similar overheating problem when I use the notebook without the docking station, and solve that by using a cooling pad with fan. I cannot use the cooling pad and the docking station at the same time, however. Is there a solution to this? I have not been able to use my two external monitors, mouse, printers and scanner because of this problem. Suggestions welcome.
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Tokyofolks
1 Message
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January 25th, 2012 15:00
Have you received a solution to this problem yet? I have had an e6400, docking station and dual monitors foe about 20 months. In the last month I started experiencing the same problem. Overheating and subsequent virtual lockup occurs quickly. Task manager shows CPU usage at 100% with no applications working or open. Using the notebook without the docking station and taking care to allow all around ventilation seems to solve the problem. I have scanned my system every which way, have reduced the number of programs, cleaned everything up, tried a windows 7 repair and made an attempt to update the BIOS and video driver. Appreciate any thoughts, can't keep this up.
swan13
3 Posts
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January 26th, 2012 08:00
No solution found. I gave up and purchased a Dell Precision M4500 instead. It does not have any of the problems I experienced with the e6400.
MWE
2 Posts
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July 27th, 2013 14:00
The overheating problem with docking stations is the result of a design problem. The laptop's air cooling exit is partially blocked by the docking station. This was a problem with "D" laptops as well as "E" laptops. It is a poor design that really does not have a solution. I have a Dell M4300 and have experienced overheating problems since new (2008). My definition of "overheat" is when the fan kicks into the second speed. My observations:
a) laptop does not overheat when not in the docking station and air flow is unrestricted
b) laptop does not overheat when in the docking station as long as the ambient room temperature is less than 65 or 66 degrees
c) I can control laptop overheating when the room temp is 65 to 75 as discussed below
I have found a composite solution that work reasonably well; as long as the ambient temperature in the room is no greater than 75:
1) using two strips of wood (one approx 1" by 1" by width of laptop, the other 1" by 3" by laptop width), elevate both the docking station and the front edge of the laptop to provide unrestricted air flow into the laptop. This is adequate up to room temps of about 70 degrees
If that is insufficient:
2) find a laptop cooling "platform" that will fit under the laptop when it is in the docking station. Opt for one that uses a USB connection to turn it on and off but has an external power supply (less current draw on the laptop). Modify the strips of wood such that the platform fits under the laptop. This is adequate up to room temps of about 75 degrees
3) find a small box fan (6" to 8") and place it near the laptop such that the airflow is across the laptop. With the other mods, this works to a room temp of about 80 degrees.