Black-out with only FireFox and Thunderbird
 

Hi James,

Many times, within the first half-hour after starting up my laptop I experienced a black-out. Normally I would work with chrome and eclipse, firefox, thunderbird, and other programs simultaneously, so it is difficult to point to a particular program.. however today I had a meeting and left my laptop with just firefox and thunderbird opened and it still had a black-out which I discovered after I came back.. so without doing a thing, the black-out still occurred.

Best regards,
Ruud

Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit with IE9 and Chrome. I see the same freezing problems with both Chrome and IE.

Ruud, please resend system_details.txt
 

Ruud,
Please resend system_details.txt
Thanks, Kevin

resend system_details.txt
 

Hi Kevin,
Just sent you a private message. Did you receive it OK?

More info: yesterday 3 black-outs in total (including one which swapped my mouse button assigment again, grrrr)
Today: none so far.

Network traffic related black-outs
 

Hi James and Kevin,

Yesterday I did have some black-outs later that day. To me they seemed related to my laptop using the network a lot:
I had to index a couple of projects (in Eclipse) from a network server together with streaming audio from beatport.. and BOOM.. black-out.

Hello all,

I also have an Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook connected to the Dell D3000 docking. This is my second one. Dell replaced it, because the first docking wasn't recognized by Windows 8 anymore.

I'm experiencing the same issues reported here... but also a new one:

When i connect the docking for the first time to the Dell XPS 13 then Windows 8 will recognize it and it performs an firmware update...

Then i can work with the docking and of course when watching video (with VLC) for some-while the screen will go blank and it seems like it's resetting...

Then the screen will show up after some seconds.. This behavior keeps repeating, and will become more annoying when also using the Gigabit Ethernet... So i had to disable it :(

When i switch the power off the docking and the next day i power it on en start up the Dell XPS 13 the docking doesn't get recognized! So every time i had to uninstall the DisplayLink software and run the EndUserUninstaller...

Reinstalling the latest drivers, and then the docking gets recognized again...

Does anyone has a clue why this is happening?

Hi,

Can you attach the debug logs as described here:
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269

Thanks,
James

Hi,

Can you update your graphics driver to the latest recommended from the Dell site (v9.17.10.3062), your chipset driver to v9.3.0.1021 and also your BIOS to vA09.

Link to these downloads is: http://www.dell.com/support/troubles...s-13-l321x-mlk

As I think the issue is timing related I want to rule out any system level issues on the notebook.

Thanks,
James

Upgraded to latest drivers
 

Hi James,

Just sent you my latest logfiles. I upgraded my lap-top to the latest drivers as you requested. The BIOS is veriso A09 now, the video driver is also the number you requested. I just can't seem to find the chipset dirver version somewhere. Perhaps it is stated somewhere in the logfiles?
Could you verify that on you end?

I'll let you know if I have more black-outs still.

James,

This is my second D3000 docking and i've updated the video driver, chipset driver and the latest bios you've recommended... Now the system can't find the docking anymore, so i can't produce logfiles... Same behavior as with my 1st docking... Strange! I think it's an hardware problem???

First black-out after BIOS upgrade
 

Hi James,

Another black-out just occurred. Again this one maybe related to increased/heavy bandwidth usage:
- Listening to streaming audio
- Browsing local server
- Uploading large files to wetransfer

.. and boom, 'lights' out!

Also yesterday, after the driver/bios upgrade, no black-outs occurred but the also reported problem that windows doesn't shutdown happened this time.

Hi,

I think we've exhausted all system level issues.

Please return your dock for a replacement.

Thanks,
James

How could replacing the dock fix these software issues
 

Hi James,

Could you explain to me how replacing the dock hardware really fixes my problems? I mean, I using the latest bios, and all updated drivers I assume and in normal situations is just works, so hardware wise it is fine, not? Could there be external triggers involved like over-heating sensors? or other dock electronics which doesn't respond well to 'stress'? And if so: how would replacing the dock with similar hardware alleviate the problems?

Only when things gets pushed to its limit the software breaks down it seems.

My hypothesis is that the dock drivers have some serious issues with maintaining stability when juggling all the traffic going to and from the dock to the laptop.

James,

I've returned the dock for a replacement. Still the same issues... I think i have to ask Dell for a refund... :(

Hi,

Can you post the logs? I know you say that the dock isn't detected but the logs will give me some idea as to why. Also the output of the system information tool would be very useful. To get this run the program msinfo32.exe (it's a native Windows tool). Export the output to a text file, save it and post it.

Thanks,
James

Hi,

My reasoning for recommending a replacement is because I believe the issue to be hardware related. Of course I may be wrong and if you get a replacement and you're still seeing the issue then I'll take another look at it as that means it's a firmware issue.

Thanks,
James

Take a look at the firmware JamesH... Dell replaced my dock, but the second one also died... Can't connect it anymore.. :mad:

Hi,

Please post the logs and system info output.

Thanks,
James

Uninstalling complete drivers, remove dock, installing drivers, attach dock?
 

Hi James,

Dell support (or actually their supervisor) read this thread about the issues i'm having, and concluded that simply returning the dock won't help.
Instead they propose the real problem lies with the fact that I first attached the dock and later installed its drivers. According to Dell that could lead to driver instabilities.
As an work-around Dell now suggest that I remove the dock, then uninstall all drivers/software related to the dock, (probably do a reboot here), install all dockingstation drivers and finally attach the dockingstation.

I'm willing to try this out (although skeptical of this working), but how?

2 questions:

1) Do you have a complete driver removal tool or something (or some other method so I can be sure not to miss something
2) Do the dockingstation drivers install themselves correctly without an attached dockingstation?

Hi,

After uninstalling DisplayLink software run the cleaner tool from here http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=297

You'll need to connect a DisplayLink enabled device to complete the installation of the drivers.

Thanks,
James

Dell says to connect the dock AFTER installing the drivers... I removed the software and used the EndUserCleaner to remove the installation of the DisplayLink drivers...

When re-installing - with the dock connected BEFORE or AFTER installing - doesn't matter... Can't use my dock, it's not recognized anymore! Very strange! :rolleyes:

Hi

Does anything appear in device manager when you connect your dock?

Can you gather the logs when the dock is connected?

If the tool won't collect the logs then zip up anything in this directory (\Program Files\DisplayLink Core Software\Debug) and please post it.

Thanks,
James

Why aren't the logfiles readable by humans? It looks like it's encrypted???? :confused:

Problems gone?
 

Hi James and TBM,

Haven't been here a while because I don't have any more problems lately. :confused::confused:

I didn't get to the uninstalling and reinstalling thing yet. The only thing which could be related (?) was that in the mean time my system received an updated Dell System Detect tool version 5.0.2.57

Will report back when I do get black-outs again.

BOOM, still having black-outs
 

Oops I shouldn't have posted my previous message :o, just had another black-out...

Monitors Not Working
 

Hi There,
I'm new at this & hope I am in the right forum.
I have a Dell XPS 12 running Win 8 Pro and have the USB 3.0 Docking Station (D3000).
I have installed software, updated drivers and all seems good - USB & Ethernet seem fine BUT I can't get external monitors to work.
The Displaylink Adaptor appears in the device manager but no icon in the system tray and no signal to monitor (Dell E2209W connected to either DVI or HDMI port on the dock).
Everything passed on the support tool system check.

I want to be able to connect 2 external monitors.

I have attached support tool logs if that helps ...

Thanks in advance
Graeme

Partial functionality vs Black-outs
 

Hi Graeme,

Welcome to this forum. This particular thread is about the black-out issue: the dock works normally, and then suddenly the dock software resets itself, all attached screens go black, and after a few seconds they restore to normal. Except all screen positions of program windows are lost, which can be quite annoying. Also connections via ethernet etc are lost.

I hope your problem with attaching both monitors is resolved quickly. Can you report here when you also experience black-outs?

Best regards,
Ruud

D3000 dock issues
 

I'm having similar issues. Brand new XPS13 with Windows 7x64. I have updated BIOS to A09 and downloaded latest Intel video drivers. I installed the software BEFORE connecting the dock.

User has a HDMI and DVI display. When the HDMI port on the dock is used, the two external screens and all other dock ports (ethernet and USB) will freeze after a few minutes of use. Pulling power to the dock will cause it to reset and then work for another few minutes before hanging again.

If I do not use the HDMI port the problem does not occur as rapidly, but still hangs two or three times over an 8 hour period for no apparent reason.

We have 5 other XPS13s running same config, but using the older Targus branded DisplayLink docks and XPS13 hardware version with no issue (although they are not using the HDMI). This appears only to be related to the new Dell branded D3000 model. Someone needs to QC their drivers I think.

I have pulled the laptop and dock from the user so I am able to collect logs/run some tests if that will help.

Hi,

Yes please - instructions on getting logs can be found here:
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269

Thanks,
James

2 external monitors without using HDMI port?
 

Hi James and DFollis,

(just got back from holidays)

I'm curious: how do you connect 2 external monitors without using the HDMI connector?
My model has 1 HDMI port and 1 DVI port.
Do you use the mini DisplayPort on the laptop itself?

That's what I did. I have the Surface Pro. One monitor on Mini Display and the other using the DVI on the Dell Dock.

Not using HDMI port works?
 

Hi William5849,

Thanks for replying. What do you mean with 'Surface Pro' and do you thing no using the HDMI port is helping remove (or lessen) the blackouts we are experiencing?

13" XPS and D3000
 

I am also having the same issues. Frequent outages with the dock (monitor goes black, network stops, USB devices stop). Computer and dock are less then a week old. Software was installed before the dock was plugged in.

Same problem here - two Dell XPS13" + 2 D3500V
 

Hi Guys,

I have the exact same issue in my office with two ultrabooks and two dell D3500V units. Occasionally both suffer drop-outs on network and monitors and both have ery slight stutter with the mouse.

Latest drivers, firmware, intel chipset and vga drivers installed.

I am surprised about how long this thread is and how long it is taking for a solid answer to be forthcoming. As far as I can tell the logs are not yielding any valuable information - DisplayLink, please confirm on this point.

What should we all do - return the units and if so can you please confirm what unit we should purchase directly from you to gain two monitors out and no blank screen drop-outs?

This really is such a shame because, aside from this devastating issue, the product is good.

Thanks,
Splinx

Hi,

Can you post the debug logs so I can see if this is the same issue that Ruud is having?

See this link for how to gather the logs:
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269

Thanks,
James

I recently bought a Dell XPS 13 with a Targus dual display dock (through dell, but not branded).
I was experiencing the freeze issue described here, though mine never came back by itself once frozen. Screens, sound, ethernet, USB devices all frozen. Unplugging and replugging the usb cable usually reset it.
It always happened when opening a new tab in chrome and occurred a few times a day.
It was particularly likely to happen if I mouse wheel clicked a link to open in a new tab on the laptop display and then moved the tab to a displaylink display before rendering had completed.

I disabled GPU compositing and threaded compositing in chrome://flags and the problem hasn't occurred since. I've since reenabled threaded compositing and still no freeze.

Perhaps this will help others with the problem, and/or the developers.

Further info:
Running Win 7 Pro
I plugged in the dock without installing drivers, it attempted to install drivers itself which failed.
I then used the disc which came with the dock, which completed with warnings but after a restart all device manager warnings cleared.
I downloaded the latest firmware and displaylink drivers, both said I already had the latest installed.

All was working fine till yesterday when I installed the latest Intel HD 4000 drivers.
I still don't have the freeze issue, but now rendering gets badly messed up if I scroll a page (in any app), and overlays flicker badly and/or disappear (image alt text etc). Turning GPU compositing back on didn't resolve this.
The scroll issue makes the displays completely unusable.

edit:
Update - having windows install the HD 4000 drivers seems to have resolved the issue, right click - update driver software in device manager, as opposed to downloading and installing from Intel's site. Same driver version, but all scroll and overlay flickering is gone.

Trying out new mini displayport cable
 

Hi everyone following this thread,

I bought a mini displayport - DVI-D cable following the advice posted earlier.
Just started using is, no black-outs/freeze-ups so far.

All the days before I had several black-outs per day, which is getting really annoying especially if sometimes I need to restart my computer and or loose my work because of connection problems to servers i'm working on!

So I hope this works.

Nooooo, just had my second blackout after switching to mini-displayport cable. So unfortunately that didn't do the trick..
Going to try the Chrome://flags tip next

BOOM: another black-out: disable Chrome://flags GPU setting doesn't work for me :(