Dell 8100 Laptop docking station issues...

I appreciate any help someone can give me here...

I have an 8100 that comes with a second battery and DVD-CDRW that U can exchange (two batteries if U want to do without the cd/dvd)

Well I got the docking station love these for home docking from work...

I get a conflict when I boot up in the docking station....

IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
Intel(R) 8280 1DBM Ultra Storage Controller - 24CA
Primary IDE Channel
Error State >>Secondary IDE Channel

Error=This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use (Code 12)
Under resources it has a conflict at IRQ 15 says the Com Port is using it

Ports (COM & LPT)
Error State >>Communications Port (Com 4)
ECP Printer Port (LPT 1)

Error=This device cannot start (Code 10)
If I go under change configuration and modify the configuration to the
IRQ 04 03F8 - 03FF .... and adjust doesn't clear the conflict.
Re-boot - Still have the conflict...

In the end, I cannot use the cd/dvd when docked, due to the conflict...
If I boot it off the docking station, no conflict... it works...

In tracking it down the conflict is at IRQ 15
The com port tries to use it when docked, it uses IRQ 4 when stand alone

So... I tried to change the com port's IRQ setting in the docked configuration to IRQ 4 with the same location settings ...ok

reboot with this .... the secondary IDE still has the conflict at IRQ15 with the com port... but the com port is saying it is on IRQ 4 03F8 - 03FF ...

Damn... same errors no secondary ide, no com port... no CD/DVD...

Ack - I give .....
Any takers ????

Mark aka. The_Bowler

 

ERROR - it is a DELL 8600 Inspiron

Sorry for the confusion
Mark

 

:cry
I've just hit the identical problem, and spent a whole night playing with the BIOS and rebooting, and no matter what I did, even though the Device Manager said the COM1 resources were now IRQ4, (not IRQ15), and I disabled the Secondary IDE channel, the conflict remained and the COM1 port was dead.

Some more hints:
I think that the problem started on my system after I installed additional memory. There was a time when my COM1 port via the docking dtation worked just fine.
Removing the memory does not make the problem go away.

If you need the COM port, I can suggest a USB-to-serial adapter.

Herb

 

Re: Dell 8600 Laptop docking station issues...

Sounds like I need to flash the BIOS ...

The change after the fact in windows is not making it...

So the problem must be on boot from the BIOS...

It is just perplexing, out of the docking station everything is fine
Put the computer into the docking station after booting outside runs fine in the docking station
BUT - Boot from within the docking station, conflict.... ACK
Secondary IDE Conflict on IRQ 15 with the com port
Result - No Cd rw/ Dvd recognized

Always more to do.... well need more ram anyway...512 is is giving me lag

Oh Well.....

 

I tried FLASHing the BIOS.

No change.

I am thinking about trying to get this question in front of a Dell engineer.
Anyone had success doing that?

I am even willing to pay a one-problem charge. This problem is really slowing me down and will hurt my productivity.
I don't want a second computer - especially a desktop unit, and its impossible to get a laptop with a built-in serial port. But, I am working with some dated software/hardware that requires a COM port, which didn't work with a KeySpan USB-serial adapter.


Herb

 

OKies I will try ---

I will let U know if I have any success ...

Mark

 

Done more work on this bear, and I paid for DELL tech support.
We tried disabling COM1 and Secondary IDE with the device manager and rebooting, to no avail. In addition to Flashing the BIOS, you can also reset it. (ALT-F on the first screen. You need to reset the clock afterwards. ) Also, does not fix the problem.

I was able to get the Secondary IDE to work by booting the laptop first, and then inserting it in the dock.
There is a better, permanent work-around, described on the Dell user forum:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor...eral&message.id=240618&query.id=18485#M240618

This will allow you to use your CD/DVD player, but at the expense of the COM port.


:cry Unfortunately, I need the COM port to work!
If you poke around the forum, you'll find it's a common problem; and the most likely fix is a mother board replacement! (Search "Docking IRQ conflict")
I think I'll ask Dell support for a refund, and find some other way of getting access to a COM port, such as an old desktop model (like the one I just gave away to clear space for $20).

Herb