TB15 Dock Linux Support

Don't loose your time trying to update the TB15 firmware.

The dock doesn't work well on Linux AND Windows.

Get your money back if you can (and don't buy from Dell ever again).

I don't think it's that simple.  As I understand it, TB is basically PCI hotplug, and all the hard stuff is handled by the TB firmware.  Which is obviously broken and which the Linux folks can't fix.

I'd be perfectly happy if we could just lock the TB3 port into USB C mode and be done with it, but I don't have a dock.

And that would probably require a TB firmware update which would require windows and around and around we go.

Also, let's be frank. We are talking about releasing a driver and an installer for a well-documented industry standard (USB Type-C) here. Hardly rocket science or a job worth months of R&D as it's presented to us here.

If Dell is unwilling to invest the ample resources to help their loyal and incredibly patient linux customer base, then at least release the necessary documentations (etc.), so that the OS community can pick it up!

@cloojure if you can put together a guide, I'm happy to put it in a wiki article here.

This is fine.  For the dock.

But what about the TB port for other purposes?  I still fails after a resume, and there is still no way to update the firmware from Linux - and this for a machine sold without Windows.

I'm very annoyed by this post. At the time of purchase, linux was listed as supported on the Dell website. After asking for confirmation, Dell did affirm that it would be fully functional in the future.

The fact that Justin is unwilling to spare a couple of seconds of his time to discuss these issues with us, are indicative of the way Dell treats its customers.

Very disappointing...

I have the D3100 in use with a 2014 Dell XPS13 (9333) that is working great with Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS (previously 15.10).  I have described the setup & results in other posts on this forum if you would like to see more details.

This is fine.  For the dock. But what about the TB port for other purposes?  I still fails after a resume, and there is still no way to update the firmware from Linux - and this for a machine sold without Windows.

Same issue for me here, I purchased the XPS 9315 Developer Edition, and there after the TB15 in wich I have the same problems as many described here. However, I'm unable to update the TB15 firmware from Ubuntu Linux to try if some of this problems disappear after that.

So the solution is to purchase another XPS with Windows just to update the TB15 firmware? Nah no way I'm going to spend another extra $1000+ dollars for that. Unless Dell allows me to return the laptop after that? BTW Dell could have some for rent just to do a quick TB15 firmware update? xD Sorry but this is hilarious and makes me laungh...

Are there any upcoming chances that we Linux users can update the TB15 from our Developer Editions laptops?

My apologies Jared, if I underestimated the engineering efforts involved. But I was reacting to Justin's blunt email in particular. He seems to claim that we as linux users aren't entitled to any form of support since we chose to purchase a Windows only product. This is factually false. When we bought the dock, linux was explicitly mentioned as supported. The only reason, I have been patient so long is because you and the other engineers in this forum gave us the impression that Dell was actively working on this issue.

Justin's now claims that there are no guarantees that this is ever going to work and that he's not willing to further discuss this. I don't think this is an appropriate response given the history. Dell should take the accountability of this debacle and come with a concrete proposal for us linux users. This should either entail a clear commitment to get the tb15 to work in an easy well documented matter (without using a Windows machine) or a generous recall program.

That's what I mean, I don't know the exact details about the drivers, but (as a developer) I know for a fact that releasing an installer that allows us to update the firmware from our linux machines should be easy. A days work at most...

Unfortunately it's much more complex than that. These docks contain several different components with upgradeable firmware, not all of which Dell controls the interfaces for (the Alpine Ridge controller on the docks being a prime example). Those that we don't control need to work via custom interfaces with multiple outside driver dependencies coming from multiple hardware vendors.

OK, so how about fixing the TB3 port, dock support aside.

So I've had some good luck the last two days. The only update I did was the 1.4.4 BIOS update -- no firmware anything that I would need Windows for (don't have it!).

Currently running openSUSE Tumbleweed, Kernel 4.7.2 (latest provided in repos w/ normal updating). I have working Ethernet, USB, and running two 1080p monitors (one mini-DP, the other USB 3.1c > DP cable, but have used DP > DP cables and it worked too).

When I plug in my 4K monitor, it freezes everything until I unplug it with the following errors over and over:

[drm: intel_ddi_prepare_liink_retrain [i915]] *ERROR* Tiemout waiting for DDI BUF B idle bit

Failed to train DP, aborting

What is Dells policy on returning these docking stations?

I purchased a fully loaded 7710, 2 - TB15 docking stations (work and home) and 4 - 27 inch 4k monitors. These were purchased in mid April, so I am outside the normal 30 day return.

I have been patiently waiting for Dell through this forum to deliver a solution. At this point it is clear that a solution will not be available in the near term.

I need to know how to return $617.38 worth of paper weight.

Thanks

I am in a similar situation, the behavior between Windows and Ubuntu are the same. Really all I want is the 2 monitors to stay on but can only seem to be able to run 1 with any kind of stability.

fwiw XPS 13 2 x 27' 4K monitors, tried different ports (currently running of the most stable HDMI and least stable dv)

They both turn on and work but can only get 15 minutes of the dv on before it goes black even though the pc seems to think it's still there so i can only assume the doc is just stopping to send a signal to the second monitor