Advanced Mini Dock Plus - Design Issues

I have purchased the Thinkpad Advanced Mini Dock Plus for my T410 but have a couple of concerns that I wonder if people have experience with:
- The Vent design appears to be most illogical - the CPU Vent is on the left back/side of the T410. When in the dock, this is where the solid locating corner is with the power switch. The clearance is around 5mm on the left intake, although I see the fan does vent through a grill in the dock at the rear. My fan always runs faster when docked - is there a thermal/airflow issue here?
- When docked, the laptop leans at around 20 degrees from the horizontal. Hard drives are actually only within specification when operated at <5 degrees from one of the 3 planes. I have concerns this design will cause premature drive failure.
Has anyone used a dock extensively and have feedback with these two items?

Hi warder!
The T410 uses Series 3 docks. Per the tabook, any of these are compatible:
ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 433710U
ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 433810U
ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (Mobile WS) 433820U
The ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus for Mobile Workstations Series 3 433820U is compatible with the T410 but optimized for the W510.
The Advanced Mini Dock 250410U is the T400 dock, and not compatible with the T410.
Which do you have?
I don't work for Lenovo. I'm a crazy volunteer!

Similar Messages

Thinkpad Advanced Mini-Dock (2504) - Ethernet issues

Good evening:
I'm having issues with my Thinkpad Advanced Mini-Dock's ethernet port. I've narrowed down to an issue with the docks port by:
Updated driver to the latest on the Lenovo website and still experienced same issues.
Changed the cable connecting the dock to the hub. Still had the same symptoms--worked for some time but then it wouldn't work. I'd disable and re-enbaled the device and sometimes that would do the trick. But it would fail in a few hours.
Connected the cable directly to the DSL modem instead of the hub and no change in behavior.
Finally, kept my Thinkpad T61 undocked for 2 weeks and used the side ethernet port on the laptop itself instead. That did not experience the same symptoms.
I am not sure how to proceed. I had issues with my Thnkpad before and Lenovo support really hit me hard in the pocket. Granted, they did a great job fixing it and the turnaround time was VERY impressive but I do not have the money for another out of warranty repair.
Has anyone experienced similar issues? Or anybody have any suggestions on what else to try?
Thank you in advance!

I have the same problem, I think. Ethernet will not connect through the 2504 Mini-Dock. Works fine if Thinkpad is not connected to the Mini-Dock and ethernet is connected to Thinkpad. Kind of ruins the point of having a 2504 Mini-Dock.
I guess this is not typical Lenovo quality, because it already lasted over 2 years before it stopped working. That's pretty much a Lenovo longevity record for me.
Any advice would be welcome, there are refurbished units showing on ebay for ~$25.
Yes, the "N" in my user name represents "NOT"

Mini Dock Plus Series 3 with USB 3.0 - 170W causing uab/wireless keyboard issues

W530 here, win 7 64 bit, 32g ram. When plugged into the Mini Dock Plus Series 3 with USB 3.0 - 170W, all external keyboards (wired/wireless) don't work. Keyboards appear to be properly recognized devices and drivers are installed, but I can't type using these keyboards and am limited to the laptop's keyboard. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jan C.

Hi, Jan C.,
I did some research and found this thread by a user named Sssith, who was experiencing a similar issue with using a keyboard with a docking station. His issue stemmed from the USB hub drivers not being correctly installed. I would recommend updating these drivers and your BIOS just to make sure. The USB drivers can be found here, and the BIOS here. If neither of these work, then you could try Sssith's method of removing the drivers and letting Windows install the generic ones.
Hope it helps,
Adam
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Maximum Multiple Monitors with ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 170W (4338-30U)

Bit of a multi display novice, with a question:
What is the maximum number of external displays that can be utilized with the ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 170W. As I understand it, you can baseline connect three external displays without adapters, so with the laptop that is three monitors (1+3).
Then say you start getting creative and start using adapters, can you go up to five or six external displays? Are there performance issues? Does the computer have trouble recognizing displays, etc.? Would it benefit from a screen management program like UltraMon?
This is for simple excel jockeying, and business productivity, (for instance I would want to have a display for each instance of Excel 1, Excel 2, Excel 3, Word, Outlook, PDF), and would use the NVidia Optimus Card for the displays.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Depending on which ThinkPad you got, you can get 3 screens up and working (the W530 i tested could drive 4 external + 1 internal without using things like DP splitter or USB display adapter).
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

Problem with T61 and DVI External Monitor (via Advanced Mini-Dock)

Ever since I upgraded to Vista SP1 on my ThinkPad T61 (with an Intel integrated 965 series graphics card), I've been having problems when I try to use an external monitor via the DVI port in my Advanced Mini-dock. I'm curious if other people have experienced this problem.
The problems surfaces when I first boot up, or sometimes after my ThinkPad has been running for awhile (particularly when I do something graphics related, such as right-clicking to open display properties). The picture starts to flicker (or disappear and reappear, like the screen does when changing graphics resolutions). I also hear the "ba-bum" sound that you hear when disconnecting a piece of hardware, followed by the "bum-ba" reconnection sound - these two sounds happen repeatedly (sometimes as fast as once per second). If I don't do anything, sometimes I'll get a bluescreen.
Not long ago, I found a fix of sorts: to stop the flickering/reconnecting, I just open Task Manager and stop the process called "igfxpers" (an Intel driver problem). The problem always disappears after I do this, although I have to remember to do it every time I reboot or else the problem comes back. So it's not an ideal fix.
This problem doesn't happen when I connect an external monitor using the analog VGA port, or when I'm just using the notebook LCD. It's limited to just the DVI connection. I've tried two different digital monitors (one LG, the other BenQ) as well as two DVI cables - the problem is still the same. So it seems like a driver problem of some sort - unfortunately, the Intel drivers haven't been updated since last February.
I should also note that I've tried reinstalling my OS two or three times, and the problem always comes back. Has anyone else had this problem, and is a fix on the way?

Error Message:
Input signal out of range. Translation:
You will see this on an otherwise blank screen. Assuming that the data cable is plugged in correctly, the video card is feeding the monitor a signal stream in excess of what the monitor can accommodate. The two main causes for this are that the user has set either the resolution or the vertical frequency rate too high. For example, you might set a new graphics card to display at 1,280 x 1,024, but if the monitor is only capable of 1,024 x 768 resolution, you’ll get a Sync Out of Range error. This is especially common in 14-inch monitors.
Solution:
Because you obviously can’t make settings changes from within regular Windows, you’ll need to reboot into Windows Safe Mode. When you restart the system, there is a point during boot up when the system switches from reporting diagnostics and detected components to loading Windows. This point is usually accompanied by a beep and the screen going black. Just before this point, you want to start repeatedly pressing the F8 key. This should bring up a menu of Windows boot options. The one you want to pick is Safe Mode.
From Safe Mode right-click the Desktop and select Properties. Go to the Settings tab and use the slider to drop your resolution a notch or two. Reboot and let Windows try to go into Normal mode. If this still doesn’t work, go back into Safe Mode and get to the Settings tab of Display Properties. Click the Advanced button, go to the Monitor tab, and check your refresh rate. The lowest advisable rate is usually 60Hz, although this works better for LCDs (liquid-crystal displays) than CRTs (cathode ray tubes). Apply the change and reboot.

New X220 support dual external monitors with mini dock plus?

Hi,
I need to purchase a new Lenovo laptop in urgent.
But we need to make sure it support dual display to two external monitors. (VGA)
My question is:
(1) we plan to purchase with mini dock plus, it have two HDMI port.
can it support two external monitors for Intel HD Graphics 3000?
( we will close the Lids when use in dual external monitors)
(2) Can i use DVI to VGA convertor convert to VGA for supporting two external monitors
(3) what is the weight difference for X220 SATA HDD and SSD HDD?
Please kindly help in urgent!
Rgds,
Sun
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi
Yes, it work.
It must need a Display port to VGA (F) convertor.
Thank you.
Cheers
Sun

W520 with Mini Dock Plus Series 3 won't detect Dell U2412M Monitor

I have a W520 Thinkpad with a Mini Dock Plus Series 3 with USB 3.0.
Until this morning, I was able to use it with my two external monitors connected via DVI to the Mini Dock.
The two monitors I have are:
Acer V243H
Dell U2412M
The Acer works fine regardless of which DVI port I plug it into.
The Dell refuses to work on either port.
Again, both monitors were working fine as of yesterday.
Any ideas on what might have caused this or what I can do to fix it?

I have the same problem with the minidock and display port monitors. It will not recognize them at all on power up. If I then put the w520 to sleep and wake it up a few times, it will then recognize them and allow me to use them as "projectors".
Before I upgraded the BIOS and nVidia drivers, it would always recognize one of the two, and I used to have to pull the cable out and in again on the second. Now this technique doesnt work - sleep wake is the only work around.

T60, Advanced Mini-Dock: Wireless connection fails after undock

I have a Thinkpad T60 that I use at work, normally docked in a Thinkpad Advanced Mini-Dock, but occasionally undock (to bring to a meeting, etc.). Normally, the wireless works fine -- I can connect to the wireless network at work, to my home wireless network, and to public access points (e.g. at a coffee shop) with no trouble. In the past, at work, when I undocked the machine, the ThinkVantage Access Connections application would automatically switch me from my wired LAN connection to the office's wireless LAN, and everything would work great.
However, about a month ago, I started experiencing a problem where after I undock, ThinkVantage Access Connections doesn't automatically connect me to the office wireless network. If I manually try to get ThinkVantage Access Connections to connect to the wireless network (by left-clicking on the ThinkVantage Access Connections in the system tray and selecting [my work network name] | Connect from the context menu that appears), it fails; the connection attempt fails on the "Applying Wireless Settings" step (the very first step).
From this failed state, if I leave the computer undocked and reboot it, the wireless will work ok following the reboot. (The "Applying Wiress Settings" step seems to take an abnormally long time in this case, but it does eventually succeed.)
I'm running Windows XP SP2, and ThinkVantage Access Connections 4.52 (the current latest version). The wireless card is the "Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG"; it is running driver version 11.05.0.APIc (the current latest version).
This problem *may* have started happening immediately after I installed a round of updates through the ThinkVantage System Update application (I'm not 100% sure). I can see via System Update's Install History window that both Access Connections 4.52 and the 11.05.0.APIc wireless card driver were installed on 5/16/2008.
One other data point: Yesterday, after undocking my machine, the "Access Connections Main Service" crashed (I got the typical Windows XP "[application] has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" dialog.) I manually restarted Access Connections via its Start menu entry (Start | Programs | ThinkVantage | Access Connections), and after that, I *was* able to successfully connect to the wireless network without rebooting.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a better solution than rebooting after each undock, or possibly, manually killing and restarting the ThinkVantage Access Connections process after each undock?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Reverting to ThinkVantage Access Connections 4.42 solved this problem for me. (As noted above, I was previously running 4.52.) My laptop now once again automatically and successfully connects to the local wireless network following an undock.
I do get an error dialog now on an undock or redock. Dialog caption: "netsh.exe - Unable to Locate Component". Dialog text: "This application has failed to start because framedyn.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."
However, the error dialog seems to be "harmless" in that at least my network connections are now working like they should, and it's easy enough to click the OK button to dismiss the dialog.

T420s + Mini Dock Plus Series 3 with USB 3.0 90W - USB 3.0 works as USB 2.0

Greetings!
I am most probably not the first one who is interested, but I failed to find the same topic in the forum.
I have Lenovo T420s plugged into ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 with USB 3.0 90W. The problem I have USB 3.0 port on the dock (blue one) works as USB 2.0. The laptop port works fine. I am checking it by plugging Seagate mobile HDD - when the HDD is plugged into the blue port on the dock station Windows (7, 64-bit) complains 'Device can perform faster', using laptop's port doesnt trigger the message.
USB 3.0 driver is installed.
BIOS version is 1.37.
Intel Chipset drivers are updated.
Device manager shows the connection as a chain of two 'Generic USB Hub's, if HDD is connected to the laptop's port its chain of 'Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 blah-blah'.
Please help! If this combination is just not supported, please point to the relevant link.
Thank you!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Excellent, thank you!

T400 + Advanced Mini Dock + Windows 7 -- Problems

Hi,
I have some problems with the named combination. When I put my t400 in the docking station sometimes or better most of the time the dock is not recognized or it seems to be not recognized. The external DVI TFT does not turn on. The same problem with the attached USB hub. Sometimes it is recognized and my mouse + keyboard works, sometimes not. Switcheable graphics is always in high performance mode.
I have no clue what the problem is. Would be please if somebody could help.
thanks alot!

I am having a similar problem with my T400 and Advanced Mini Dock. My T400 has integrated graphic, by the way. I've found that if I plug my computer into the dock while it is running, it does not detect the external DVI monitor. But if I boot while docked, it does detect and use the external monitor. It is very strange.

2504 Advanced Mini-dock and Thinkpad T61

I have a 2504 Advanced mini-dock in the office and it works fine.
I've bought another 2504 FRU 41W6563 for home. It only seems to part work though. When you put the machine in the dock the power supply is detected from the mini-dock, but nothing else seems to work, especially the USB ports, even if I shutdown Windows, and reboot.
With the switch in the unlocked position, there is no green light, when you switch it to locked, the red light comes on.
I'm confused if this is the right mini-dock - Can anyone help or suggest anything?
My Thinkpad is a T61, 7659-A71

Hi
I don't have a solution, but a similar problem. I wish there was some real documentation for this piece of hardware.
I am using the advanced mini-dock with my new T61 (14.1" with the integrated graphics card) and it's all hit-and-miss.
Undocking the laptop seems to provide no problems, but getting it to dock really is hit and miss. More often than not it doesn't seem to work.
The display setting won't switch, and I can't get to the display manager or if I can it shows only the default setting as the choice. Most of the time the display on my T61 is blank too.
I have it set up so that it's supposed to switch to the external DVI monitor at 1280x1024. When it works it work beautifully, but the fact that it doesn't makes me use the docking station less often
that I would
Are there some do's and don'ts or a FAQ regaring the use of the docking station? The only instructions that came with it was one sheet of drawings. I looked on the lenovo site for more instructions but didn't find any.
What is the purpose of the power switch on the dock? I can't tell when it's on or off (or if it even does something). Ie when the T61 isn't docked, I don't see anything if I push the power button on the dock.
I really like the idea of the docking station, I just wish it would work better for me.
Does the system have to be up and running if it's docked? Do I have to be logged in? Can I have a wireless USB mouse attached to the T61 when I dock it?
Is there a problem with the display manager software that make the automatic mode switching problematic?
EB
PS: New one, the cabled USB mouse isn't working when attached to the docking station, but works when directly attached to the T61. This has worked in the past. The external keyboard is working fine though ... odd

ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 UK / Italy difference?

Hi,
I'm interested in the new T520.
I'm in Germany and the german shop offers 2 versions of the ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (UK or Italy)
Whats the difference between the UK and the Italy Version ? Both countrys have other power-plugs than we have in Germany. So which one is right for me?
The description fir the Moni Dock Plus says: "Multiple video ports: 1 VGA monitor, 2 DVI, 2 DisplayPort (Note that the video controller allows for any two video ports to be used simultaneously)"
Is that 2 ports in adition to the ThinkPad's display? Can I use 3 Screens (Thinkpad + 2 at the dock) or only 2 (any configuration).
Thanks
Tino

I think the difference would be in the power adapter plug type, but each should be compatible with your machine.
The series 3 plus dock came in 3 flavours in general:
1. 90 w adapter type
2. 135 w adapter type (for the W510 machine and also compatible with machines used on the 90 w type).
3. 170 w adapter type (for the W520 and compatible with the 135 watt and 90 watt adapter type machines).
You can support 4 screens if your T520 came with Nvidia Optimus technology, in that case you can use the 1 vga, any 2 of the DVI/Displayport, and one internal LCD (or displayport on the laptop).
If you get the intel version, then you only support 2 external LCD, or one external LCD with one internal LCD.
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

ThinkPad Advanced Mini-Dock -- Both outputs as VGA

All,
I'm now trying a ThinkPad Advanced Mini-Dock. This dock has one VGA out and one DVI out.
(www.lenovo.com/support/advancedminidock)
Don't know what the DVI flavor is.
What adapter can I buy to convert this DVI out to VGA? Tried some & they don't fit (extra pins on DVI adapters I've tried.)
I wan't to connect two VGA monitors.
Thank you,
Marc

bsu4phd wrote:
What show's on the back of the Lenovo dock is a DVI-D connector.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
Are you sure I can connect a DVI-A cable?
the connector on the dock is actually a dual-link DVI-I connector. it can carry both a digital-only (DVI-D) signal and analog-only (DVI-A) signal. the DVI-I socket is the most universal DVI socket. the only place you'll see a DVI-D socket is on the backs of 30" displays pushing 2560x1600 pixels since dual-link DVI-D is the only way to drive this high of resolution.
to answer your question... yes, i'm absolutely positive you can connect a DVI-A to VGA cable or DVI-A to VGA connector. technically, those adapters shouldn't be labeled as DVI-I to VGA since they carry no digital connection. they're only labeled as such because their pin configurations are meant to plug into DVI-I sockets.
DVI is an unnecessarily confusing specification. if the above still seems unclear then simply look for a DVI to VGA cable or adapter and forget the -A or -I suffixes. the cable/adapter will work as long as you get the correct plug gender at each end.
if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.
(edited for clarity)
Message Edited by erik on 01-29-2009 10:05 AM
ThinkStation C20
ThinkPad X1C · X220 · X60T · s30 · 600

T400 Win 7 Advanced Mini DOck Question

HI,
I am using a T400 with Win 7 and advanced mini dock. All was well with Vista but now I can't make my DVI output work. I have called C/S at least 5 times and now they tell me that the driver is not out yet and I have to wait. Does anyone lese have any experience with this?
Also is it recomended to use Presentation DIrector or Win 7 itself.

seattleian wrote:
HI,
I am using a T400 with Win 7 and advanced mini dock. All was well with Vista but now I can't make my DVI output work. I have called C/S at least 5 times and now they tell me that the driver is not out yet and I have to wait. Does anyone lese have any experience with this?
Also is it recomended to use Presentation DIrector or Win 7 itself.
i thought presentation director is discontinued in win7 (only available for up to windows vista)
http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=270
T400s - 2815RW1 + Win7 Ultimate
Don't pm me for help! That's what the forum is for. Also, Google's nicer than me. Ask him.

Advanced Mini-Dock 250410U power supply and compatibility questions.

I just purchased a new T400 2764-CTO which has the discrete video. I replaced a three year old T43 with a screen that failed. Lenovoi told me my two port replicators for the T43 would work on the T400. That proved to be an error. So now I am in the market for a T400 port replicator. I am looking at the Lenovo Thinkpad Advanced Mini-Dock 250410U. I have purchased two power supplies and so do not need another power supply. I don't trust Lenovo for an accurate answer.
My questions: Can I purchase an Advanced Mini Dock without the power supply? And secondly, will this Mini-dock work with the T400 2764-CTO. (I am running Vista Business as my sole OS.)
Thanks for any help.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

yes, 250410U is the correct part number for the advanced mini dock compatible with the T400.
it is sold with an a/c adapter and unfortunately cannot be purchased separately. you could, however, resell the adapter if you don't want it. forum.thinkpads.com has a free marketplace if you're interested.
ThinkStation C20
ThinkPad X1C · X220 · X60T · s30 · 600

Advanced Mini Dock Plus - Design Issues

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