Precision M6800 does not starts when plugged on a port replicator

Question

Hello, I receive there is 1 weeks ago a M6800 laptop with his port replicator. When the laptop is plugged to the port replicator and I press the power button (on the laptop or on the port replicator) the laptop starts but it is frozen immediatly and the big 'DELL' logo is displayed. I do not see Windows starts screen and I can not enter in the BIOS. If I unplugged the laptop from the replicator station, it starts immedialty and it is work. If I plug the power charge on the laptop it starts immedialty and it is work. Something strange : I plug the laptop to the port replicator, I starts it, the starts process is frozen of course at the 'DELL' logo. After that I unplugged the laptop (I do not shutdown it, so the laptop is still on), the laptop continue to starts until Windows. After that I plug the laptop to the port replicator and it is work... So I think the problem come with the port replicator detection at the BIOS level... What is the problem exactly ? How can I resolve it ? Best regards,

tlkent01 · Accepted Answer

I've had a very similar problem with a Precision M6800.

- > The solution was to simply turn off the PXE Boot switch in BIOS for the network interface card.

Yes, this doesn't make sense because network boot isn't turned-on (not in the boot device list), but it made the change necessary for the port replicator to work.

DELL-Shawn B · Answer

Hi gillou95,

Thanks for your post, sorry to hear your systems having trouble starting correctly on dock! From what you are describing this could certainly be a firmware problem at BIOS. Have you been able to try updating / re-flashing the latest BIOS revision available from the support site?

Drivers & Downloads - Precision M6800

http://dell.to/Tm9iYo

M6800 - BIOS A07

http://dell.to/1qPpFLK

Is the AC Adapter being used 240W?

Do you have any other systems available to test the dock and make sure it functions normally with a known good system / do you have an additional dock the system could be tested on to confirm the docking port is functioning normally.

Thanks,

jorgeseptien · Answer

I am having a similar issue. I just received an M6800 that does not want to work properly with a port replicator. Funny thing is that this machine was sent to us in order to replace a M6600 that had a faulty power connector. If I put the new one on the port replcicator, the screen does not appear on the secondary screen. The user typically takes the computer from his desk to a conference room and just pops it out and then snaps it back in and it automatically connects after he pushes the power button on the port replicator. With this new one it is a brick. Once I plug it into the port replicator, the screen never appears on the port replicator screen. If I open the laptop, it will eventually appear on the second screen. If I shut the laptop, the screen on the port replicator shuts off. If I turn on the laptop while it is on the port replicator, nothing appears. I have installed the latest bios, chipsets and Nvidia drivers. This is driving me crazy.

jorgeseptien · Answer

I hope I am not jumping the gun here but it looks like I got this to work.  If you boot up the computer and go into the BIOS setting (F2), there is a 'VIDEO' option on the left.  If you expand it, you will see two options, one of which is 'Switchable Graphics'.  If you click on that, to the right there is an option 'Enable Dock DP Port1 for post' or something like that..  Put a check in the box, save and reboot your machine.  Let me know if that works.  It is kind of working for me, but I am always a bit hesitant.

jorgeseptien · Answer

I replied to this post.  Let me know if you received the post and if it worked.

gillou95 · Answer

I found exactly the problem after lot of investigation... If I plug a external drive on my Laptop or on the port replication, the laptop does not start and freeze when the Dell logo is shown... When I start my laptop, I have to unplug any external drive... I'm really disapointed about Precision laptop quality ! Dell has already change a M6600 for a new M6800 because I had lot of pb with ! Best regards,

cushlomockree2 · Answer

Same problem here, and it's really annoying.
Precision M6800, an external Ultra Sharp U3011 (2560x1600), and E-Port Plus, 240W Advanced Port Replicator, USB 3.0.
The system is dual boot with 2 SSDs with Nvidia Quadro 3100M and Intel HD Graphics 4600, and 32GB Ram.
Bios = A07
If I shut down the machine, it will not start while docked.
It goes into an infinite Dell-logo screen that says "preparing automatic repair" which can't be seen unless you open the lid of the docked machine.
I have to undock, boot, than plug it into the dock while running.
Regardless of the bios-video options (Switchable checked, Post on Displayport 1 checked (or unchecked), the monitor on Displayport 1 does not show post or boot menu. Have to Open lid to see those.
Same setup on my M6700s and M6600 works fine.

Crazy_Diamond · Answer

Check the BIOS settings (F2 during startup) and make sure that the Internal HDD is listed higher in priority than the USB Storage Device in the Boot Sequence found under the General settings.

cushlomockree2 · Answer

The BIOS UEFI Boot setting you refer to only has 2 check boxes 1) Windows Boot menu, and 2) UEFI system SSD.

In my system, both are checked.

I unchecked the Windows boot menu, and the behavior is exactly the same. The system defaults to the system drive and the Windows Boot Manager comes up if the computer is undocked with the lid open.

If it is docked, with the lid closed, the external monitor goes into 'sleep mode' indefinitely.

When I lift the lid it restarts and boots normally. The external monitor ONLY comes on after Windows is in graphics mode.

There is no USB device that appears in the UEFI Boot sequence.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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