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    Advanced Minidock - z61t - DVI problems

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by AGNI, Jul 17, 2006.

  1. AGNI

    AGNI Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    I received my z61t and minidock yesterday. I seem to have a problem with getting output from the dock's DVI port. I have a viewsonic 19 inch LCD which has both VGA and DVI inputs. My resolution is set to 1444 X 900
    I have no problem connecting from dock to the monitor using VGA but when I try to use DVI, there seems to be no signal.

    Does anybody have this problem ???. Do we need more drivers ??. I did install viewsonic monitor driver on the laptop.
     
  2. Awevan

    Awevan Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have the same docking station and monitor, but a T60 Laptop. The dvi connection works fine even without Viewsonic driver.
     
  3. AGNI

    AGNI Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    My laptop is set to 1440 X 900. So the laptop's graphics card is able to suooprt that resolution.
    I know my monitor's DVI port works as I have tested with my desktop. I wanted user input before I call lenovo again. ( I called them yesterday and somebody sugegsted that they will send a replacement. I need to troubleshoot myself before sending it back)
     
  4. AGNI

    AGNI Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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  5. AGNI

    AGNI Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    Update.
    I did my research and found out that z6 series does not support DVI unless you have a dedicated card installed. Lenovo support confirmed it as well. Only other option is to get a advanced dock and put a PCI express card with DVI output :mad: :mad: :mad:
    It sucks. I'm calling lenovo sales rep tomorrow who claimed it does support DVI when I ordered it. let see what happens.
     
  6. 1pennyshort

    1pennyshort Notebook Enthusiast

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    I don't think the problem applies to the entire Z6 series. I have a Z61m with advanced minidock and the DVI interface works fine.
     
  7. AGNI

    AGNI Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    Do you have z61m without a dedicated graphics card and still get DVI ???
    I was told you can't get DVI with built in intel 950 graphics card !!!
     
  8. 1pennyshort

    1pennyshort Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah, no, sorry, I didn't make the connection that Z61t by default has an integrated graphics card.
    Mine has an ATI, so I guess the problem is then limited to the Zs with intel graphics.
     
  9. rhizop0d

    rhizop0d Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do the current Z61t's support DVI pass through from the Advanced MiniDock? Searching forums tells me "No"... but Lenovo's product page advertised DVI pass through for the Z61t:


    System graphics
    Integrated Intel 945GM DVI pass through, (14.1" LCD & Core 2 Duo)

    Can someone confirm for certain that the only way to get a Z61 with integrated 945GM graphics to work with DVI is to purchase a separate PCI graphics card and use it w/ the full sized Advanced Dock? Or will the current models work with the mini dock?
     
  10. -Zeus-

    -Zeus- Notebook Consultant

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    not sure... it sounds like it will by the description.
     
  11. rhizop0d

    rhizop0d Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why thank you, Zeus, for that incredibly useful post. Can anyone answer this question with certainty?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2015
  12. -Zeus-

    -Zeus- Notebook Consultant

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    i'm trying to be helpful. i have no more info, i don't even own a Z. i'm just stating the obvious that you seemed to overlook.
     
  13. koolier

    koolier Notebook Geek

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    its certain ur screwed
     
  14. joex

    joex Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a z61t 9440D9U (core 2 duo and the 1440x900 screen) and the advanced dock, and DVI pass through works. I had to go into the bios and turn it on to make it work.

    Just to be clear, I'm using DVI with the 945GM, I don't have an additional card in the doc.

    I'm able to get 1680x1050 out. I'm using linux, so I don't know if the windows drivers have some constraints, but that is unlikely.



     
  15. rhizop0d

    rhizop0d Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the useful information, Joex! I also have the 9440-D9U. One question though, do you have the Advanced full-size dock (about $350, 250310U) or the Advanced mini dock (about $200, 250410U)?

    Thanks...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2015
  16. joex

    joex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Advanced full size dock(the one with the PCIe slot)... Not the mini.

    Actually a little annoyed. Would have bought the AdvMini dock if I knew passthrough would work on the core 2 duo z61t.



     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2015
  17. rhizop0d

    rhizop0d Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmm.. so I guess we're still not certain... if the current model Z61t (Core 2 Duo)... will support DVI pass-through w/ the mini dock. :confused:
     
  18. joex

    joex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Did you modify your bios so that it would use DVI?


     
  19. rhizop0d

    rhizop0d Notebook Enthusiast

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    I haven't done anything yet (I don't own a dock of any kind)... I'm interested in purchasing the mini dock, but only if DVI pass-through works for the 9440-D9U... which I haven't been able to confirm yet.
     
  20. ItzCooLz

    ItzCooLz Notebook Consultant

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    hey guys... just my 2 cents.

    i just received a z61t and an advanced mini dock (the one w/o the pcie slot), and i WAS able to hook it up with the DVI pass-through port (laptop monitor as primary, LCD as secondary).

    i have two 19 inch flat panels at my house with my desktop. i even got it to output to BOTH flat panel monitors (one thru VGA and one thru DVI).

    i was actually really surprised, because i had read that there was no DVI support with the Z61t's, but for some reason, it's working fine with me.

    i'm sure i'll get a ton of questions, so bring 'em on!
     
  21. rhizop0d

    rhizop0d Notebook Enthusiast

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    Excellent news. Thank you for providing evidence instead of speculation!