External Displays not being recognized properly on Z Book Dock with Thunderbolt 3

[Stuart-]

Hey Guys,

We're having problems with external displays on the ZBook Thunderbolt3 docking stations.  

More often than not, when we connect the ZBook Studio G3s(Usually powered off) to the ZBook Dock w/Thunderbolt 3 ... and  press the power button on the dock... my notebook boots up with maybe one display detected correctly at the right resolution, and the other display either not detected at all, or detected as only capable of 640x480.

I've tried the following:

-Docking while computer is already on/logged in. (Usually much worse results.)

-Using different models of monitors. (ZR2440w, E240k, E241, Z24n)

-Disabling 'auto-port select' modes on displays.

-Updaing drivers to latest for video, computer, dock, etc.

This 'hassle' results in about a 15-20 minute dance of docking/redocking, unplugging monitors, rebooting, pulling power cords every morning trying to get both of my displays to work. Sometimes I can get them to work but then I can't get my USB keyboard to work. (Joy.)

Any advise or solution for resolving these issues would be greatly appreciated.

[Stuart-]

Looks like there is a new bios (1.08A1) and Intel Video driver (20.19.15.4444 A9) since I last checked... will try this and report back I guess.

[Star_Fox]

have you update Intel Thunderbolt Secure Connect?

http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?sp4ts.oid=8934841&swItemId=ob_161921_1&swEnvOid=406...

You could try to update Intel Thunderbolt firmware

http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?sp4ts.oid=8934841&swItemId=ob_161904_1&swEnvOid=406...

[Stuart-]

Yes, my HP guy told me to install those two specific updates (along with a few others) before I even attempted to connect the dock.

[Star_Fox]

• What is the current bios setting for graphics – Hybrid / auto / discrete
• What version is the bios ( screen shot for proof)
• What OS is this?
• Is the OS in legacy or UEFI  ( not the bios setting)
• What kind of cables are connected to the dock / monitors
• What are the monitors Hz set to? What is the native resolution you are wanting upon boot?
• What Hz is Nvidia and intel set to display the monitors at? This is a hybrid graphic unit it does need both settings in both places correct unless bios setting in question 1 is discrete ( as it will only use nvidia then)

[Stuart-]

Display issues largely resolved here with latest driver updates.

Here are the drivers I'm using as of now: (Bold ones are things that changes between non-working period and now)

SP76045 - Bios 1.07 (downgraded from 1.08 that appeared/got pulled)

SP73783 - Thunderbolt Secure Connect 15.3.39.250 Rev A.

SP74938 - Thunderbolt Firmware Update 16.1.7.0.6 (Run on every dock... units seem to ship with this version now.)

SP75984 - Intel Video drivers 20.19.15.4444

SP75603 - Nvidia Video drivers 354.86 Rev W. 

SP76277 - ASMedia Host Controller 1.16.35.1 Rev C.

SP76026 - Broadcom ethernet 17.2.0.2

SP74876 - Connexant Audio 1.13.36.14

I dock at 4 different places and my displays are detecting and coming up at the correct resolution quite reliably now.

Good luck all!

[Stuart-]

Hey Starfox.. I  feel most of your questions are irrelevant (especially since it's now working) but I'll answer them anyway in case it helps anyone.

-Hybrid/auto/discrete. Whatever default is. Assume auto, i'm not rebooting to check.

-1.07. Not providing proof.

-Windows 7 Professional, 64bit.

-OS is in whatever state HP provided it in. Legacy

-hp provided display port cables, all brand new at all 4 dockingstations.

-monitors are autoranging and do not have a setting for hz. They 'detect' the signal provided by the video card, and if within acceptable range displays will sync. Typically 60hz-120hz.

-All display settings in various places indicate 60hz. (default, untouched)

I did have one dock that I had missed the firmware update on...

And things seemed to calm down greatly after updating to the latest drivers (released after my original post.)

All the best!