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DELL-Brian B

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February 29th, 2016 00:00

back to the top Dell TB15 Desktop Dock - Step-by-step driver/firmware/BIOS installation instructions for XPS, Latitude and Precision notebooks [UPDATED 07-28-16]

Use Dell Command | Update to install Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) drivers for Latitude E5570 / 7275 / 7370 / Precision 3510 / 5510 / XPS 15-9550 / XPS 13-9350 & XPS 12-9250

Dell provides the Dell Command | Update Application on a business client supported platforms to simplify the BIOS, firmware & driver update experience. This application is located under the "Systems Management" section of the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Be sure to pick your system type from the list or enter your service tag to ensure you get the right version for your system.

  • Install the Dell Command | Update v2.2.0 available for the system in the "Systems Management" section to obtain the latest firmware and drivers.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03810413M/1/Systems-Management_Application_P52W9_WN32_2.2.0_A00.EXE

NOTE: The application allows users to download and install the latest firmware and drivers on their systems, including

  1. System BIOS
  2. Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver
  3. Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update
  4. ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller Driver
  5. Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver
  6. Realtek USB Audio Driver

Other than above automatic installation, it’s recommended that users download and install the Dell Dock Firmware Update utility (expected to be available to download by August 2016) and Intel HD Graphics Driver manually.

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

Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) Installation Guide for Latitude E5570 / Precision 3510

The latest BIOS, drivers and Firmware can be downloaded at the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Dell highly recommends installing the following BIOS / Drivers step by step in the prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install BIOS, drivers and Firmware in this document may result in undesirable performance.

  1. Connect the AC adapter to the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) and then connect the Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C) connector to the computer.
  2. Search your system model name under Select a Product selection or enter the service tag of your system to locate Drivers & downloads page on the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Change the OS to view all available updates for your system.
  3. Flash the latest Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) available for the system. This is posted in the "BIOS" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03796988M/1/Latitude_E5x70_Precision_3510_1.7.3.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03795588M/1/Docks_Stands_Driver_2VCD4_WN32_16.1.47.275_A02.EXE

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03798151M/1/Intel_TBT3_FW_UPDATE_NVM16_A04_2.16.01.003.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver available for the system. This is posted in the "Video" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03788600M/1/Video_Driver_N8YN8_WN32_20.19.15.4454_A03.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller for Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock available for the system. . This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03578208M/1/Chipset_Driver_YM9TJ_WN32_1.16.33.1_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Firmware Utility available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03771609M/5/USB_Utility_ASMedia_A00_WIN_H43H3_ZPE.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03520011M/7/Docks_Stands_Driver_9YCY0_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01_02.EXE

  1. Install the Realtek USB Audio Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03613504M/1/Audio_Driver_GG4M6_WN32_6.3.9600.44_A02.EXE

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Dell Dock Firmware Update Tool (expected to be available to download by August 2016) for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect.

  1. Power off the system.
  2. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of TB15 dock from the power outlet.
  3. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the TB15 dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
  4. Power on the computer with the docking station connected.

Back to the Top

Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) Installation Guide for Latitude 7275 / XPS 12-9250

The latest BIOS, drivers and Firmware can be downloaded at the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Dell highly recommends installing the following BIOS / Drivers step by step in the prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install BIOS, drivers and Firmware in this document may result in undesirable performance.

  1. Connect the AC adapter to the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) and then connect the Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C) connector to the computer.
  2. Search your system model name under Select a Product selection or enter the service tag of your system to locate Drivers & downloads page on the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Change the OS to view all available updates for your system.
  1. Flash the latest Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) available for the system. This is posted in the "BIOS" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03814070M/1/XPS_9250_Latitude_7275_01.01.17.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03795588M/1/Docks_Stands_Driver_2VCD4_WN32_16.1.47.275_A02.EXE

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03798151M/1/Intel_TBT3_FW_UPDATE_NVM16_A04_2.16.01.003.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver available for the system. This is posted in the "Video" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03730414M/1/Video_Driver_JM0JP_WN32_20.19.15.4454_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller for Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock available for the system. . This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03578208M/1/Chipset_Driver_YM9TJ_WN32_1.16.33.1_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Firmware Utility available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03771609M/5/USB_Utility_ASMedia_A00_WIN_H43H3_ZPE.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03520011M/7/Docks_Stands_Driver_9YCY0_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01_02.EXE

  1. Install the Realtek USB Audio Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03613504M/1/Audio_Driver_GG4M6_WN32_6.3.9600.44_A02.EXE

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Dell Dock Firmware Update Tool (expected to be available to download by August 2016) for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect.

  1. Power off the system.
  1. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of TB15 dock from the power outlet.
  2. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the TB15 dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
  3. Power on the computer with the docking station connected.

Back to the Top 

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

Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) Installation Guide for Latitude 7370

The latest BIOS, drivers and Firmware can be downloaded at the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Dell highly recommends installing the following BIOS / Drivers step by step in the prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install BIOS, drivers and Firmware in this document may result in undesirable performance.

  1. Connect the AC adapter to the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) and then connect the Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C) connector to the computer.
  1. Search your system model name under Select a Product selection or enter the service tag of your system to locate Drivers & downloads page on the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Change the OS to view all available updates for your system.
  2. Flash the latest Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) available for the system. This is posted in the "BIOS" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03810970M/1/Latitude_7370_01.04.05.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03795588M/1/Docks_Stands_Driver_2VCD4_WN32_16.1.47.275_A02.EXE

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03798151M/1/Intel_TBT3_FW_UPDATE_NVM16_A04_2.16.01.003.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver available for the system. This is posted in the "Video" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03788600M/1/Video_Driver_N8YN8_WN32_20.19.15.4454_A03.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller for Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock available for the system. . This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03578208M/1/Chipset_Driver_YM9TJ_WN32_1.16.33.1_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Firmware Utility available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03771609M/5/USB_Utility_ASMedia_A00_WIN_H43H3_ZPE.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03520011M/7/Docks_Stands_Driver_9YCY0_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01_02.EXE

  1. Install the Realtek USB Audio Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03585219M/1/Audio_Driver_0PP6T_WN32_6.3.9600.44_A02.EXE

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Dell Dock Firmware Update Tool (expected to be available to download by August 2016) for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect.

  1. Power off the system.
  1. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of TB15 dock from the power outlet.
  2. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the TB15 dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
  3. Power on the computer with the docking station connected.

Back to the Top

Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) Installation Guide for Precision 5510

The latest BIOS, drivers and Firmware can be downloaded at the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Dell highly recommends installing the following BIOS / Drivers step by step in the prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install BIOS, drivers and Firmware in this document may result in undesirable performance.

  1. Connect the AC adapter to the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) and then connect the Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C) connector to the computer.
  1. Search your system model name under Select a Product selection or enter the service tag of your system to locate Drivers & downloads page on the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Change the OS to view all available updates for your system.
  2. Flash the latest Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) available for the system. This is posted in the "BIOS" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03800318M/1/Precision_5510_1.2.10.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03795588M/1/Docks_Stands_Driver_2VCD4_WN32_16.1.47.275_A02.EXE

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03798151M/1/Intel_TBT3_FW_UPDATE_NVM16_A04_2.16.01.003.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver available for the system. This is posted in the "Video" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03761002M/2/Video_Driver_CK7GP_WN32_20.19.15.4454_A06.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller for Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock available for the system. . This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03578208M/1/Chipset_Driver_YM9TJ_WN32_1.16.33.1_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Firmware Utility available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03771609M/5/USB_Utility_ASMedia_A00_WIN_H43H3_ZPE.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03520011M/7/Docks_Stands_Driver_9YCY0_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01_02.EXE

  1. Install the Realtek USB Audio Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03613504M/1/Audio_Driver_GG4M6_WN32_6.3.9600.44_A02.EXE

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Dell Dock Firmware Update Tool (expected to be available to download by August 2016) for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect.

  1. Power off the system.
  2. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of TB15 dock from the power outlet.
  3. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the TB15 dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
  4. Power on the computer with the docking station connected.

Back to the Top

Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) Installation Guide for XPS 15-9550

The latest BIOS, drivers and Firmware can be downloaded at the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Dell highly recommends installing the following BIOS / Drivers step by step in the prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install BIOS, drivers and Firmware in this document may result in undesirable performance.

  1. Connect the AC adapter to the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) and then connect the Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C) connector to the computer.
  2. Search your system model name under Select a Product selection or enter the service tag of your system to locate Drivers & downloads page on the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Change the OS to view all available updates for your system.
  3. Flash the latest Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) available for the system. This is posted in the "BIOS" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03800340M/1/XPS_9550_1.2.10.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03795588M/1/Docks_Stands_Driver_2VCD4_WN32_16.1.47.275_A02.EXE

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03798151M/1/Intel_TBT3_FW_UPDATE_NVM16_A04_2.16.01.003.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver available for the system. This is posted in the "Video" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03761002M/2/Video_Driver_CK7GP_WN32_20.19.15.4454_A06.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller for Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock available for the system. . This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03578208M/1/Chipset_Driver_YM9TJ_WN32_1.16.33.1_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Firmware Utility available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03771609M/5/USB_Utility_ASMedia_A00_WIN_H43H3_ZPE.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03520011M/7/Docks_Stands_Driver_9YCY0_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01_02.EXE

  1. Install the Realtek USB Audio Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03613504M/1/Audio_Driver_GG4M6_WN32_6.3.9600.44_A02.EXE

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Dell Dock Firmware Update Tool (expected to be available to download by August 2016) for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect.

  1. Power off the system.
  2. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of TB15 dock from the power outlet.
  3. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the TB15 dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
  4. Power on the computer with the docking station connected.

Back to the Top

Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) Installation Guide for XPS 13-9350

The latest BIOS, drivers and Firmware can be downloaded at the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Dell highly recommends installing the following BIOS / Drivers step by step in the prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install BIOS, drivers and Firmware in this document may result in undesirable performance.

  1. Connect the AC adapter to the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock (TB15) and then connect the Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C) connector to the computer.
  2. Search your system model name under Select a Product selection or enter the service tag of your system to locate Drivers & downloads page on the Dell Support website (www.dell.com/support). Change the OS to view all available updates for your system.
  3. Flash the latest Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) available for the system. This is posted in the "BIOS" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03769593M/1/XPS_9350_1.4.4.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03795588M/1/Docks_Stands_Driver_2VCD4_WN32_16.1.47.275_A02.EXE

  1. Install the Intel Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Update available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03798151M/1/Intel_TBT3_FW_UPDATE_NVM16_A04_2.16.01.003.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Intel HD Graphics Driver available for the system. This is posted in the "Video" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03743273M/1/9350_Video_Driver_4XM7X_WN32_20.19.15.4454_A05.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller for Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock available for the system. . This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03578208M/1/Chipset_Driver_YM9TJ_WN32_1.16.33.1_A02.EXE

  1. Install the ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Firmware Utility available for the system. This is posted under the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03771609M/5/USB_Utility_ASMedia_A00_WIN_H43H3_ZPE.exe

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03520011M/7/Docks_Stands_Driver_9YCY0_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01_02.EXE

  1. Install the Realtek USB Audio Driver for the Dell Thunderbolt™ Dock and Dell Dock available for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03613504M/1/Audio_Driver_GG4M6_WN32_6.3.9600.44_A02.EXE

NOTE: Restart the system before the next step.

  1. Install the Dell Dock Firmware Update Tool (expected to be available to download by August 2016) for the system in the "Docks & Stands" section.

NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect.

  1. Power off the system.
  2. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of TB15 dock from the power outlet.
  3. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the TB15 dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
  4. Power on the computer with the docking station connected.

Back to the Top

 

 

 

kylemorris

25 Posts

May 26th, 2016 06:00

My enterprise rep told me yesterday that a revised model with the issue fixed is being worked on and everyone who received a faulty unit will be getting the replacement when it is available.  

My XPS 13 is with the TB15 is still working perfect.  To make this happen I did a fresh install of Windows 10, followed the guide in the OP and then installed the Asus Asmedia driver which I have linked previously.  This combined with a small fan blowing on the dock has resulted in the behavior you would expect from the dock.  

will.box

9 Posts

May 26th, 2016 07:00

My enterprise rep told me yesterday that a revised model with the issue fixed is being worked on and everyone who received a faulty unit will be getting the replacement when it is available.  

My XPS 13 is with the TB15 is still working perfect.  To make this happen I did a fresh install of Windows 10, followed the guide in the OP and then installed the Asus Asmedia driver which I have linked previously.  This combined with a small fan blowing on the dock has resulted in the behavior you would expect from the dock.  
 
Mine worked for a couple of months with the fan, but eventually the DP port stopped working after an hour or so of use driving a 4K monitor even with the fan. Maybe its just getting hotter in the office now that it is summer. I've been told the same thing about an updated version so just waiting for that at this point. 

mjlogin

4 Posts

May 26th, 2016 09:00

Well, I found a solution that works for me. I called Dell (UK) and asked them since, like everyone else who has a TB15 running with an XPS-15 9550 I haven't been able to get it to work and they'd apparently now discontinued it, what was the plan? After a bit of discussion with superiors etc. they said I could have a refund or wait for a replacement unit to be introduced and have one of them. As they weren't able to give me any idea at all of when that might be, I went for the refund and it was collected next day.

So now I have the following setup:

Attached to the XPS-15, I have a Pluggable USB-C to DP cable running to my 4K monitor, Dell P2415Q. I don't have a second monitor, but I seem to remember another post saying that cable would support a daisy-chain to a another one.

I also have a small Anker 4-port USB hub. One of the ports from this goes to a powered 8-port hub (also Anker) out of the way under my desk. Among other things this has an Anker USB to Ethernet adapter (you've guessed it - I love Anker bits and pieces) and a Pluggable USB Audio Adapter, which is good enough quality for my needs most of the time.

So I've covered everything I need, with only two cables plus power to unplug when I want to go mobile. My desk is a delight without the TB15 brick and its short cable that forced me to have cables everywhere.

The downside of course is that I don't have the impressive (if they work) Thunderbolt functions. I also need to change the sound source from the USB adapter to built-in when I go mobile. For me, it's a satisfactory solution for now, at least better than turning computer, monitor and TB15 on and off every time something dropped out. Most of the components I added were also fairly inexpensive.

It's a pity - the TB15 would be a great piece of kit if it worked and was designed more thoughtfully. Maybe if something does come up in the future, I'll give it a try (after checking the forum!).

Finally, I'd like to say that I've bought a lot of equipment from Dell for business purposes over the years and I've always been a fan - well designed equipment at reasonable prices with good support. It was sobering to see from this experience how things have changed. I recognise the dangers of going for leading-edge technology, but that's quite different from being a guinea pig for unfinished designs. I'm appalled that Dell would release an item that was so obviously not market-ready. And for those of you in the US who complained about such an expensive item not working, count yourself lucky. In the UK, it lists for around $500. Once again, customers in overseas markets are being ripped off.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Everything is working fine at the moment. Admittedly it's early days, but all the components are tried and tested so I'm pretty confident it will stay that way. YMMV

Dan Switzer

30 Posts

May 26th, 2016 10:00

Well more fortunate then most, I'm still having issues. I can only use the HDMI and mini DV ports with anything that resembles reliability. If the external displays go to sleep at all, the mini DV port will randomly blink on/off. I'm able to live with it (at the moment), because I can have Windows disconnect the monitor and then revert the change back in order for it to go away. Of course, I then have to move all my windows back to their previous monitor.

For the $300 I paid, Dell really ought to be calling all customers with a replacement option.

phlegm123

1 Rookie

 • 

27 Posts

May 26th, 2016 10:00

Does anyone have any experience with the WD15? Definitely a trade-off with video but maybe it works?

Tollers

8 Posts

May 26th, 2016 10:00

Nope. Constant USB3 problems for me with WD15. Nothing works connected to those ports.

RvN76

11 Posts

May 27th, 2016 09:00

My enterprise rep told me yesterday that a revised model with the issue fixed is being worked on and everyone who received a faulty unit will be getting the replacement when it is available.  

My XPS 13 is with the TB15 is still working perfect.  To make this happen I did a fresh install of Windows 10, followed the guide in the OP and then installed the Asus Asmedia driver which I have linked previously.  This combined with a small fan blowing on the dock has resulted in the behavior you would expect from the dock.  

Hi, may I ask did you contact the order support or the technical support? I tried contacting the technical support online and the website asked me to enter my service tag or express service code. But it couldn't find the product with either of my codes.

mjlogin

4 Posts

May 27th, 2016 12:00

I had the same experience. This is the product that time forgot, and it looks as though Dell are trying to pretend it was all a bad dream.

terminaljunkie

19 Posts

May 27th, 2016 15:00

From my experience the Service Tag is not the number you need to provide as these units do not get logged under that code.

The number that you need to log the call under is the Express Service Code and reference the PPID

I have no idea why there is a different logging method for the TB15 but that is definitely the means  employed in my case.

tj

Thysanoptera

21 Posts

May 29th, 2016 12:00

Well, turns out just drilling holes on sides wasn't enough, started getting monitor disconnects again. So got rid of the metal shield inside, drilled  80 mm hole on top and put a USB powered fan blowing down. Power for the fan comes from USB port on monitor and it works pretty good because the monitor cuts the power to its USB ports when it is off.  So I don't have to turn the fan on/off. I got rid of the metal weights at the bottom, and that left enough room to put a heatsink on Thunderbolt chip also. The only problem is that the empty case acts as a acoustic chamber amplifying fan vibration making annoying noise, so I used rubber mounts instead of screws. 

I had USB disconnect issues after 1.2.0 bios upgrade on XPS 15, but resetting to the BIOS defaults solved it. 

What still doesn't work is the mini DP port keeps turning monitor on/off while the display is set to sleep by power settings in Windows.  I got this courtesy of 1.2.0 upgrade, it is definitely a software issue, the changelog says something about fixing system not booting with external display. But when the laptop is powered down the display stays off, so it is not a big issue for me.

RHC_automation

12 Posts

May 30th, 2016 04:00

I did quite the same modifications as you (heat sinks on chips, drilled holes into case) and additionally put a aluminium plate under the case for better heat transfer. Despite all modificiations I have disconnects of the displayPort from time to time.


It's really astonihsing for me, that sometimes the dock works for a few days without any disconnect and some days the DP quits working afer two hours. I'm always using the same hardware setup (two displays DP/miniDP, USB keyboard/mouse receiver, USB-Hub from one Display and Ethernet cable).

After receiving the dock at beginning of March the dock worked for about 3 or 4 weeks without any problems and without doing any modifications to the dock. After that the DP-disconnects started to appear and with any modification I did, I thought to had fixed the problem. A few days later the problem always happened again.

I'm also wondering, why the case of the dock gets sometimes much hotter than normal. When it's getting hotter, there are no additional loads connected to the dock. So there could only be two reasons for that behavior:

1.) the laptop consumes more energy for battery loading while doing heavy calculations ore something like that and therefore the dock gets hotter

2.) the DP-chip itself is getting hotter due to some visual operations (that's rather implausible for me)

I would be really interested, if your workaround with the USB fan will fix the problem for long-term - I don't want to do that too - I really hope for a fix from DELL soon...

Thysanoptera

21 Posts

May 30th, 2016 12:00

I've been running the dock for the last 3 weeks without cover already, and displays stayed on, just got tired of turning the computer on/off using a screwdriver. Right now with 13 CFM of fresh air flowing over the mainboard I'm sure that whatever issue I may have in the future will not be heat related. 

I actually started experiencing flickering/distorted screen connected to mini DP couple of weeks ago. With the fan I have a flickering distortion for couple of seconds while the computer starts up and then it goes away. When I was running with the case open the screen would flicker every 10 - 15 seconds initially, and eventually it would become stable after 30 minutes or so.

Dell released last month firmware update for Synaptics VMM3220 (same component used in TB15 that is  causing those troubles) that solves issues with flickering/disconnecting screens first reported on Latitude laptops using port replicator  .... some 3 years ago?  So here is hope they can reprogram this DP hub, the question is how long will it take this time.

I have also Dell U3415W monitor, and the display port output on it produces distorted image, not usable at all. I wonder what kind of MST hub is being used, but I bet it is VMM3220. 

Proddeuser_5a5a75

26 Posts

June 2nd, 2016 05:00

test

nigeldcat

2 Posts

June 2nd, 2016 12:00

Display worked better without cutting out all the time, but still had issues with USB dropping out. When PC went to sleep I often had to unplug everything from dock to get it to work again.  Blue screens due to driver issues.  Too much frustration with this thing so I sent it back for a full refund after three months. 

atin90

21 Posts

June 6th, 2016 06:00

I think I found the solution to most if not all the problems with the Docking station, the constant disconnects of WIFI, Video blanking, etc., but before I post it would like to test it by few of you with the problems. The solution is extremely simple and it only requires changing one setting.

Posting it as new Post

Palo B
Oldtimer

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