HP USB Media Docking Station - HP Notebook
 

My DisplayLink device (HP USB Media Docking Station) freezes several times during the day on my Windows 7 Professional 64-bit system. I thought it was something to do with my HP notebook, but when I leave the docking station disconnected, the notebook never does freeze-up. Once the system freezes the only way to make things work again seems to be holding down the power button until the system shuts down, and then I restart the notebook.

Aero is on.
I am using DisplayLink Core Software ver. 5.6.31854.0
DisplayLink Graphics ver. 5.6.31870.0

This seems to be a fairly recent manifestation since about 3 weeks to a month ago.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Sign me frustrated.

Can you post the debug logs, with advanced logging, as described here:

http://kb.displaylink.com/269

Thanks

Wim

Here is the data gathered.

Thanks for your help.

Hi

The log files don't show anything out of the ordinary from our software. You say the whole system freezes, but there is no blue screen?

This sounds like it could be more to do with hardware, maybe memory or overheating. This might only occur as more CPU and memory is used when DisplayLink is connected, causing the problem to occur.

Without a blue screen dmp file, there is not much more we can do to remotely debug what is going wrong here, as it sounds like a fundamental system problem, rather than a software crash.

Wim

Hi All,

Do you have any update on this?

We are having the same issue on hp 5320 m probooks with the USB 2.0 docking stations.

sometimes we can't reboot the laptop without first taking the battery out. it just sits there with the fan going in overdrive with a black screen.

Hi Louis,

I'm really sorry you're having trouble. Could you email techsupport@displaylink.com please? Please cite me.

thanks,

Dan Ellis

HP notebook freezes
 

Hello,

We have HP 4530s notebook and HP USB Media docking station with LG w2442PA monitor. The notebook freezes. When this happens the only way to reboot the computer is by holding the power on/off button. Yesterday the user has an issue with the monitor flickering and showing same image even after computer restart. We got rid of the flickering image by powering off the docking station. The notebook freezes today and I use the Displaylink debug tool to gather the information. Is there anyone from displaylink support able to troubleshoot the issue?

Here is the attached zip file.

Another HP notebook freeze
 

I have HP Pavilion dv7 with USB media port replicator using DisplayLink software driver USB Graphics WIndows Driver 5.6M1 which installed itself as
version 5.6.31854.0 on my computer. I am using 2 external monitors with laptop; Samsung model SyncMaster 930B monitors.
Computer continues to lock up, freeeze and completely stop at unpredictable random times and needs complete power shut down in order to have computer function again.
Does anyone have any idea what new work around I can use to fix this problem with DisplayLink issue?
Thanks

Hi

If the whole system freezes, then there is something going seriously wrong. There should normally be some information written if the machine crashes in this way. Can you check that the system is set to write debugging information when it happens as this will give a clue as to what has gone wrong.

The guide here describes how to do this, then hopefully when it occurs you will get a Blue screen and some debugging information written.

Let me know once you have this and I'll send you some details of where to upload it.

Thanks

Wim

I've merged this as it looks like a similar issue. Could you follow the instructions in the above post also?

Thanks

Wim

Where is the guide you mention about the debugging information? I checked under Starter and Recovery the settings are “write an event to the system log”, “Kernel memory dump”, override any existing file. When the freeze happens I can’t find any information in the event log and there is no blue screen.
When I run displaylink debug tool there was a memory dump file but is too big, the zip is 143mb, I can’t upload it.

Does the date of the MEMORY.DMP file align with the date and time of the freeze? This may have been caused by a different issue. If it does look to be from the freezing issue, then I'll send you details to upload the crash.

Thanks

Wim

HP Docking Station Freeze
 

I am experiencing the same problem on all 15 of my laptops and docking stations. I have since detached my docking stations and my laptops work fine. Is there a fix for this? When I have the docking station plugged in and uninstall the Display Link drivers, it works fine for a while, but then always freezes back up. I have installed, uninstalled, the drivers from Factory to the latest and have had the same results. I am using a HP DV6TSE, with i7 840, 8GB RAM and an ATI mobility 5600 Premium Video Card. I have uninstalled the ATI Catalyst software and have the same issue with or without the Displaylink installed. Is there a battle going on between ATI and Displaylink. More importantly, how do we fix it or disable Display link in the HP Port Replicator?

Hi,
Do you have any leads on this issue?
At our company some of the users are experiencing the same problems. Laptop freeze and the only way to fix it is to hard reset with the on/off button. Sometimes after it happens the computer does not start up, it stops before the boot and the fan goes overdrive. The battery needs to be removed or it will happen again at the next power off/on.
The problem only happens if it’s docked to the docking station. Sometimes many times a day.

HP 5320m with i5 core. Windows 7 pro 64bit.

Let me know if I can give any info that would be of any help since this is intolerable.

Hi All

I'm sorry you all seem to be having the same problem. This is something we want to get to the root cause of. We are trying to reproduce this on some HP laptops we have here, but have had no success so far. So we need your help to find the root cause.

I'm assuming that the whole PC has frozen up at this time (including the laptop screen). Also, I assume that pressing Num lock or Caps lock on the keyboard does not toggle the LED on the keyboard, which means that the PC has really locked up.

We really need the crash information from the system when this occurs. It is possible to force the PC to blue screen and write the dump information. If you are experiencing this problem, please could you follow the instructions below and create a full memory dump when the system is frozen. Once you have done this, let me know and I'll send you details of where to upload this.

Forcing a System Crash from the Keyboard
For further information see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff545499.aspx

It is assumed that the system has been set-up to to produce Kernel Mode dump files. It might be worth checking. For further info see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff542953.aspx. Note, you want to write a "Full memory dump" not a small memory dump.

For PS/2 keyboards ensure that the following registry key exists HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\i8042prt\Parameters\ . Create a value named CrashOnCtrlScroll , and set it equal to a REG_DWORD value of 0x01.

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\i8042prt\Parameters /v CrashOnCtrlScroll /t REG_DWORD /d 1

For USB keyboards ensure that the following registry key exists HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\kbdhid\Parameters\ . Create a value named CrashOnCtrlScroll , and set it equal to a REG_DWORD value of 0x01.

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\kbdhid\Parameters /v CrashOnCtrlScroll /t REG_DWORD /d 1

Restart the system.

Initiating a crash dump
After the above has been done, the keyboard crash can be initiated by using the following hotkey sequence:

Hold down the rightmost CTRL key, and press the SCROLL LOCK key twice, while the system is frozen.

I am having the EXACT same issue. I had to disconnect and uninstall the software to remain functional here at work. Will be following this thread in hopes of a resolution. My system is:

HP Pavilion DM4
Windows 7 Pro
4 gb ram
Intel I5 processor

Could you try following the steps above to create a Blue screen, as this will give is more information. We're still trying to reproduce this. We have a number of HP laptops under soak test to try and show the issue, but no joy so far.

It would be useful if people can also post the type of DisplayLink device they have found the issue with, so we can see if its related to particular hardware.

Also, some other things for anyone to try who has this issue:

• Could you check that you have the latest BIOS installed for the laptop. There do seem to be BIOS updates for the systems listed here, and some of the release notes do refer to problems with the video, which DisplayLink could provoke.
• On switchable graphics systems, try operating with Intel integrated graphics only and see if the problem goes away. This is not a solution but may help us get close to the cause.

Thanks

Wim

As I mentioned, I had to uninstall the software. Freezes were more than I could handle here at work.
HP usb media port replicator p/n VY87AA#ABA

In my case, I had to most current BIOS update prior to uninstalling the software.

Give me directions for dummies on how to do this. I'm not an IT guy, just trying to solve my own problems since I have no IT guy.

No crash dump
 

Hi Wim,
Unfortunately it's not possible to force a crach dump the way described. When the computer freeze it gives no reaction on the 'right Ctrl + Scroll lock two times'.

My display device is a HP
Regulatory Model Number: HSTNN-S02X
Assembly P/N : 589100-001
Spares P/N : 589144-001
S/N: JP1035C37a Rev:A

BIOS is the most recent found on HPs download site.
F.03 - 30 Sep 2010

Running on Intels display adapter.

/Mats

And this is from the sw release notes.

DisplayLink Software Release: External Release Note
Software Package: HP USB Docking Video
Product Version: 5.3.24566.0
Product Date: 22nd April 2010
DisplayLink Core Software Version: 5.3.24474.0
DisplayLink Core Software Date: 19th April 2010

/Mats

Hi Mats

That's really important information if you are using v5.3 software. This is over a year old, and was not tested on the switchable graphics laptop you have. I would expect problems with v5.3 on this laptop.

This release did not support DX10 on the system you have, and also does not have switchable graphics support, so there probably would be issues.

Can you (and everyone posting in this thread) make sure that v5.6 M1 from the DisplayLink website installed. The version of "DisplayLink Core Software" in Control Panel->Programs should be 5.6.31870.0.

At least then we will be testing the same software.

Thanks

Wim

Hi Wim,
The DisplayLink Core software shows 5.6.31854.0
but the DisplayLink Graphics is 5.6.31870.0
Is that correct?

I'm going away for a week now but will get back with an update if the problem is solved.

Thanks,
Mats

I just reinstalled the software. Mine shows the same as Mats.

OK - that looks good for both of you. The Core version of software is the important bit, as that's the "brains" of the driver. The other part is the version of the branding information for devices.

Could you also enable the BSOD trick to collect a crash dump, although it looks like the PC may be too frozen for this to happen. Could you check that the BSOD keypress is enabled by trying it when the PC is not frozen (but you have nothing important open :-) )

Thanks

Wim

I have the same issue with 2 HP dv6z notebooks. They will freeze forcing me to remove the battery or hold down the power switch to reboot. When they freeze even disconnecting the docking station or unplugging the power cord from it does nothing.

The issue seems to be limited to the display driver, disabling it and plugging the monitor directly to the notebook eliminates the issue all together.

Hi Wim,
We have tested with the latest software for a week now and the problem still exist.
Even though my collegue thinks it might be less frequent.

The BSOD has been enabled and tested when not frozen but unfortunately it does not work when the freeze happens.

Is there anything else I can assist with in the troubleshooting?

/Mats

We still have the same issue. When the notebook freezes there is no dump file.

We've still not managed to reproduce this freeze on our HP laptops in our system test lab.

I have just released our v6.0 software on the forum, which not only contains support for our new chips, but also has bug fixes and some rearchitecture. This may indirectly fix the lockups you are seeing.

I'd appreciate it if you could try this software build and see if the freezing issue "goes away"

http://www.displaylink.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1076

If it still occurs in this, then we'll look into making a special build to try and give more information on the freeze.

Thanks

Wim

Any update on v6.0? Does it fix this issue for the users on this thread?

Thanks

Wim

HP notebook freezes
 

I am encountering the same freeze issue (HP Pavilion dm4, with HP dock); I installed version 6, and although the monitor does look better, unfortunately the freezing still occurs.

FYI, exact same problem here.
Windows 7
HP Pavilion DV6
using the new 6.0 driver

Total freeze, no errors. Must be hard rebooted.

The dock is worthless if this happens every hour

Hi All

OK - we really want to get to the bottom of this, but having tried many times, cannot reproduce this freezing in our labs.

Reading all the posts, it seems limited to HP laptops, using this port replicator:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/c...Y847AA%2523ABA

Are there any users finding the freezing NOT using this setup?

Once we can reproduce this, it should be possible to diagnose where the issue is, but without reproduction, we cannot remotely diagnose this.

Is it possible any users on here have a system that they could ship to DisplayLink for us to investigate? I'm thinking of corporations mainly, who might be able to provide a setup for us.

Please let me know if this is possible so we cn find out what is causing this serious issue.

Thanks

Wim

The initial post seemed to imply this started with v5.6 M1 software. Could users try downgrading to v5.6 or v5.5 M2 available here:

http://www.displaylink.com/support/d...s_releases.php

And see if the freeze still continues? Might giev some clues as to what changed in our software to introduce it.

Thanks

Wim

HP notebook freezes
 

Ive rolled my driver back to 5.6; will let you know results.

thanks.

HP 8440p i5 M520 2.GHz w/ USB 2.0 Docking station lockups/freezes!
 

This started to occur all of sudden after our Windows 7 roll out. (Of course it didn't occur once during our pilot deployment.) As other have stated users will laptops will completely lock up and are unresponsive. So it’s impossible to provide any debug information. The only error that is recorded in the event viewer is unexpected shutdown. From what I have seen the issue seems to occur when using IE 8, Power Point 2010, in house app that uses .NET

The hardware model that we are using is HP 8440p i5 M520 2.4Ghz running Windows 7 Pro. The docking station model is HP USB 2.0 http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product.as...AA&pagemode=ca

The display core software installed is: 5.6.31870.0 driver that is installed is version: 5.6.31854.0 this driver was installed when checking the display link updates from the GUI.
When checking the site for the latest driver 5.6.31548 is currently available for download? Not sure why the driver on the site has a lower revision number then what I’m currently running? Can someone please let me know what the most current driver version is?

Tried changing power settings in Windows 7 to High Performance and disabling USB sleep. This seemed to help some users but, there are still users that are having this intermittent freezing issue.

Also another thing that is worth noting is I updated the NVIIDA graphics driver to 280.26 for 2 users that were having this issue and it seems to have stopped the freezing. However, it’s only been a few days for one user and about 7 days for the other since the upgrade but, so far so good. However, not sure why this would have fixed the issue? Conflict between the display link and NVIDIA driver? Anyway Keeping my fingers crossed.

Any additional insight into possible causes the freezing issue would very be helpful.

Any questions please let me know.
Thanks

I'd suggest the following:

If you haven't done so already post your logs:
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=269
Also post the detailed system information output from the Windows info tool:
(Select Start, select Search programs and files, type in msinfo32.exe and hit Enter to locate it then Enter again to run it and save the output as a text file)

Also (to all those affected):

When did you first notice a lockup?
Was anything else connected to your dock at the time of the lockup? (USB peripherals? Ethernet?)
If so what make & model USB peripheral are they and what kind of ethernet is connected? 100Mb/GigE?

Does it happen without DisplayLink software installed?
Does it happen with DisplayLink software installed but the dock disconnected?

Do you have the latest BIOS installed?
Do you have the latest graphics drivers installed?

What Windows updates have recently been installed on your system?

As the guy mentions the only way to really progress this is to get a failing system to DisplayLink so they can debug it when it does fail.
Any volunteers?

HP notebook freezes
 

I rolled my driver back to 5.5 (rather than 5.6); I did encounter one problem with the system simply becoming unstable, but did not encounter the freezes that I was experiencing.

I have now removed all DisplayLink software. Im using an HDMI cable to connect my monitor. My monitor connects directly to my computer, and not through the dock, although I am using the HP dock for other connections.

I encountered the freeze with the DisplayLink software removed; in viewing device manager, there is a lisitng under Other Devices for an Adriatic USB Dock, which I have now disabled (no drivers for the dock are listed).

I also rolled my driver back to 5.5. Crash happened 2 hours in

No good.