Latitude E7470 External Monitors with Dock Problems

Hi slwitt,

Thanks for posting.

Apologies that your computer and monitor are not working the way you want them to. 

Have you seen this?  

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Regards,
Robert

Robert,

Thanks for your response.

I have not seen that specific page, however, it looks to me like #3 was the "fix" that I implemented that caused problems.

What I'm really curious about is if there is anyway to undo that action since it seemed to cause more problems than not.

I'd also like to refrain from updating BIOS, etc. until I know that the problem doesn't lie in the Synaptics driver side of things. Also, when I align the search to my actual product (Latitude E7470), I do not see the Synaptics driver anywhere within the driver updates. Is it possible that this update wasn't intended for my machine?

Thanks for the follow up.  I'll see if another resolution is available.  Just in case, have you made a backup OS disk?  You might have to reinstall the OS.

Regards,
Robert

Robert,

Thanks for looking into this for me.

I haven't currently made a backup OS disk, but I'll talk to the IT folks and update them if that step is necessary and coordinate with them to create said disk.

One workaround we've been mulling around is to use a USB 3.0 docking station. Do you think this would be a viable backup plan should the problem continue?

Robert,

Have you been able to track down another solution for this? Or some way to revert the firmware I may have overwritten?

If not, should I move forward with the USB3.0 docking station, and do you think this would be a plausible solution?

I'm having a very similar issue with my E7470. If I connect (through DP or DVI/HDMI) a 4k monitor to the E-port docking station, the screen constantly blinks on and off. I also tried running Ubuntu on the E7470, which shows a very amusing version of the problem: the 4k monitor is on until I move the mouse cursor over to it, at which point it turns off. Taking the cursor off the screen makes the monitor turn back on.

I've also tried setting the monitor to DP1.1, but with that setting the E7470 didn't even detect the monitor (the other laptops worked fine both with 1.1 and 1.2).

I tried various different versions of the docking station (we run hundreds of Dell laptops, so I could borrow all sorts of historical artifacts), and also different brands of 4k monitors, without any change. FHD monitors on the other hand seem to work, at least for the few minutes I've tried (I didn't have more time for testing).

The docking stations and monitors work fine with all generations of E64xx laptops that I've tried, so the fault is definitely with the E7470.

I've tried Windows 10 and Ubuntu on the laptop, updated the BIOS to 1.4.2. (March 15, 2016) and the Intel GPU driver to 20.19.15.4390 ,A01 (March 17, 2016). I tried to update the VMM HUB, but the installer wouldn't run - it complained that my system was incompatible with the driver.

The E7470 would be the perfect business laptop - it is reasonably light and compact, has a great screen, powerful enough for most purposes and it's equipped with full docking port. I would be really disappointed if we had to look for another solution/vendor.

I am having the exact same problem with my Dell Latitude E7470.  In fact all three that i bought are displaying the same flashing monitor issues.  I installed the Synaptic Firmware at the urging of a Dell representative and my external monitors quit working entirely.  They were kind enough to send me a replacement laptop.  Since then the problem continues, I have updated to the latest Bios 1.4, and installed the updated display drivers.  Both updates release in March 2016.  I refuse to update the Synaptic firmware again. 

 As I am typing this, my screens just went black.  UGG.  I have had dell open an escalated ticket. Hoping to hear back from them on Monday or Tuesday.  This is a rampant issue that needs to be addressed.  If it's not resolved for us soon, I'll b requesting a refund and buying from another vendor.  

My laptop has the Intel Core i7 processor.  My docking station is a Dell Eport PR03X.  I am using one VGA and one DVI for external monitors.  (Flashed again!)  

jfrink, and anyone else reading this thread,

It seems like this is an obvious problem that is extraordinarily poorly supported by Dell, and will apparently continue to be so since no response has been made to this thread in well over a week by any Dell employee.

That being said, you may as well just take the option that I went ahead with -- switch over to a USB 3.0 docking station. It uses an entirely different display driver and I'm able to be up and running with 3 monitors (2 external and 1 from the laptop) with no blinking, flashing bulls**t to worry about.

I went with this linked docking station, but there are a ton of others for similar price that do the same thing. At the end of the day, a result is a result, and I was sick of waiting to get an answer on this issue.
http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-UD-3900-Universal-Docking-Ethernet/dp/B00ECDM78E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459534812&sr=8-1&keywords=plugable+usb+3.0+hub

Thanks for your response.  I just sent an email to my tech support representative asking for them to provide, free of charge, the USB 3.0 docking station.  The amount of time i've wasted on this is ridiculous.  I do wonder if one would have the same success with the Dell USB 3.0 dock that you have had with the off brand.  Much appreciated update.  I have also been monitoring another thread and there has been some discussion of an updated firmware that seems to be working...for the time being. 

www.reddit.com/.../dell_latitude_e7450_monitor_flickering

Unfortunately the USB dock is not a solution, or even an acceptable workaround for me. It doesn't support 4k and consumes a bunch of valuable CPU resources.

I'm honestly shocked that Dell is willing to continue selling defective products. It also begs the question: if they provide zero support for a brand new product, what kind of support can we expect once the warranty period is over?

I just hit this issue with the following set up:

• Dell E7470
• Dell E-Port Plus docking station
• 2 x BenQ GL2460 monitors connected via DVI

With all 3 displays enabled (extended) the two Benq's connected to the dock would repeatedly lose signal at random frequent intervals (every 30sec - 1min)

The following steps have fixed this for me...

1. Update driver for Intel(R) HD Graphics 520 via device manager (now at version 20.19.15.4390 18/02/2016)
2. Flash Bios to version 1.2.2 (requires restart)

Now going for over 30 mins with no issues. Nope, still having same issue, so NOT a fix.

I experience the same problem but I use two Samsung S24C450 connected with DVI. I have tried everyyhing. I hope Dell fix this issue soon. Universal USB port replicator isn't a good solution.

Hello,

We have had this same issue and I have finally had a breakthrough with regards to 7470 models.

They are soon to release a Synaptics VMM firmware update for the 7470s.   This should fix the flashing external monitor issue.

Its a pain as it only happens when systems resume/wakeup/power on & it is inconsistent.

Temporary fix we have to create GPO to keep machines awake or use a app like "Caffeine".

(Removed by moderator)

Kind regards,

William

Hi William,

Are you sure you are talking about the same issue? The flashing monitor with 2 external+onboard monitor, or 1 4k monitor is completely consistent and reproducible without any sleep or wakeup.

The E7470 has a laundry list of other issues connected to docking and sleep/resume, such as loss of the playback device associated with the docking headphone output, daily crashes, loss of monitor configurations, fixed 1024x768 resolution for on-board monitor etc., but the original issue in this thread is not one of them.

Best regards!