Gonna need all the Latitude pros on this before I proceed:

Let me first thank all of you who have helped me in the past and, who have the patience to remain helping me moving forward:

Ive been posting here for months complaining about all the issues I have been having with my E6400. My initial problem (which is still yet to be resolved) was the fact that while docked, my fan would simply not stop spinning at high speeds.
Having given up on trying to figure out that problem, I now have a new and more pressing issue: my computer seems to periodically jump to 100% cpu and then just freezes.

I have done the following to figure out what the culprit is:
1. Reinstalled Vista
2. Removed Symantec (which was bogging down the system)
3. Tried using every spyware/adware/virus protection imaginable

When checking the task mgr during one of these "episodes" a weird thing seems to happen: random programs/processes will jump around from using 1% of my CPU to 40/50%. For example, it will show iTunes as using 40%, so ill "end the process" to free up CPU space. After that, another random process will just take its place and start using 40% of the CPU! Its the weirdest thing ive ever seen...

So, now ive decided to just use the laptop OUTSIDE of the dock, thinking that might be a problem. Im thinking one of these things might have happened:

1. The fan issue was a result of overheating from my nVidia card. The hot environment ultimately hurt the internals and now the machine is acting up. Maybe I need to just downgrade the GPU to the intel?
2. The dock is the culprit? I know its the cause of the fan issues (as the fan doesnt run full time undocked) but could it affect the CPU? The machine runs with no fan issues and seems to be running smoothly undocked(with regard to CPU usage). (I alos have numerous issues with docking/undocking-lappy periodically freezes up.
3. I simply have a lemon (even thought this is my second 6400 as DELL replaced the first).

I am going to send this back to DELL and be done with it already but before I call them I would like everyone's input. I have never been this stumped with a computer issue before.

My setup:
Intel Duo at 9400
4mb RAM
Seagate 7200RPM/250GB HD
Am using the port replicator with TWO external monitors
I use ZERO CPU intensive programs; mainly Outlook (exchange), iTunes and internet surfing.

Maybe its time i just give up with this machine and try another DELL line or, another brand altogether.

 

Can you boot your current E6400 off a Linux live CD and see if you still get the same issues, first without and then with, the dock.

This should reveal whether the underlying cause is the hardware. For example, the freezing should occur even if you are just browsing this forum. You will probably still see increased fan activity in the dock if, as we previously concluded, the BIOS is set to boost the fan activity when the computer is docked.

If you get no freezing in Linux then suspicion starts to fall on your OS / software configuration.

Two monitors must increase the GPU workload. I recall that Greg (the mod) runs two monitors with a dock and the Intel GPU.

John

 

John-im afraid I wouldnt know how to do the above; not familiar with Linux at all.
I might just try and get DELL to swap this unit out for another; one with the Intel GPU.
What differences (if any) will I notice between the Intel and nVidia Gpu's?

Ive been using the unit undocked and everything seems to be working fine-for now.

 

I'm not familiar with Linux but the joy of the live CD is that you boot from the CD and end up with a desktop and azpplications you can use (eg Firefox). It installs nothing on the HDD.

The nVidia GPU has much better performance for 3D graphics (games, 3D CAD).

John

 

Considering I dont play any games, should I just get rid of it?

Also, ive been using the laptop undocked and ive had ZERO issues.
In what way (if possible) could the dock cause any performance issues?

 

In the undocked mode are you using just the internal display, one monitor or two monitors?

The dock adds more hardware, particularly extra ports. I wonder if the system is periodically looking for hardware, possibly hardware that is not there. It might be possible to disable some unused items in the BIOS.

The extra fan activity when docked does appear to be related to the nVidia GPU and may be a combination of (i) inferior natural cooling when docked and (ii) Dell consciously trying to keep the nVidia GPU cool in order to delay the time when it has to be replaced. However, it would be good to have more input from other people who use the docking options (I don't).

If you don't need the 3D graphics capability then Intel graphics is the better option. A dedicated GPU is like have a car with a 4 litre engine for driving around town.

John

 

I am currently using the laptop opened and completely undocked, with one external monitor connected.
Interesting your point about the dock being additional hardware.
Im going to start a new dock-related-thread now.

Thanks John.

 

It may not be related, but yesterday I had an incidence of something hogging my CPU and effectively locking me out. I managed to get into Task Manager and found the culprit was HelpSvc.exe, which most users don't need.

John