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    TM8204 + EzDock + DVI = Buggy

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by phatteus, Feb 11, 2006.

  1. phatteus

    phatteus Newbie

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    Just an FYI to others, there must be some bugs with the ATI driver trying to push out a DVI video connection via the EzDock. It's buggy, makes your computer slow, and at times can cause your computer to freeze up.

    CLI.EXE (an ATI utility) goes crazy and eventually fails. Plus, on bootup, the sign-in screen can't be output via DVI, so you have to sign in on your laptop, then close your lid and go back to work on your keyboard/monitor. Just settle for a VGA connection.

    I hope this post saves someone some time.
     
    phatteus, Feb 11, 2006
    #1
  2. frosty

    frosty Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just tried my ezDock yesterday and noticed the same thing about having to login via laptop when connected via DVI. I also noticed some wierd behavior with it not recognizing my USB mouse. I unplugged it, rebooted, then plugged it back in then it recognized it (I've read another post on that issue but for the 8104 + ezDock).

    Over all I'm not happy with this very expensive ezDock. I like the Dell and IBM docking stations much better ... just snap the laptop in and never have to open the cover since there's a power on button on the docking stations (I use a 24" external LCD, keyboard and mouse). So at home I really use my laptop like a desktop. With the ezDock, you have to open the notebook to push the power button to turn it on. That's ok if you don't use an external monitor.

    The ezDock takes way too much space and not even centered behind the notebook. Since I just got the laptop, I'm concentrating on testing stuff on the laptop itself (like that wierd GPU buzzing sound). But after I'm happy that the laptop is working ok, I'll plug that ezDock back in and try to make sure it's all working ok.
     
    frosty, Feb 19, 2006
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  3. CoolHotCold

    CoolHotCold Notebook Evangelist

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    Download the latest BIOS for the 8204. It fixes the problem I think.
    And any ideas whats causing/how to fix the weird buzzing sound
     
    CoolHotCold, Feb 20, 2006
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  4. digitalfx

    digitalfx Notebook Enthusiast

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    where did you find the update?
     
    digitalfx, Feb 20, 2006
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  5. CoolHotCold

    CoolHotCold Notebook Evangelist

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    The ftp website for the Taiwan one.
     
    CoolHotCold, Feb 21, 2006
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  6. fauzzo

    fauzzo Newbie

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    about dvi and having to login into laptop display: just play with ccc and you will be able to login into the external DVI monitor.
    Set display manager so that external monitor is the first in the two top left box and the notebook lcd the second. They should be set for cloning and external dvi monitor like primary. then disable notebook display. You should be ok then. don't touch 1 and 2 in the right or it will make more mess.
     
    fauzzo, Mar 13, 2006
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  7. digitalfx

    digitalfx Notebook Enthusiast

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    BIOS 3311

    I still have a slowdown every morning when I dock....task manager shows a ati process hogging cpu.

    When I kill the process it works fine again.
     
    digitalfx, Mar 23, 2006
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