7–10
Hardware Guide
External Device Connections
Planning a Docking System
The computer is compatible with all 3 Compaq docking
solutions: the Expansion Base, the Convenience Base, and the
Port Replicator.
Docking Considerations
To ensure convenient access to the computer and its features,
Compaq recommends that you consider the following before
setting up your docking system.
■
When the computer is used with any docking base:
❏
The computer cannot be docked while a PC Card or
PC Card cable is protruding from the lower PC Card slot.
❏
The lower PC Card slot is not accessible while the
computer is docked. (Type III PC Cards, which fill both
PC Card slots, are inserted into the lower PC Card slot.)
❏
The computer should not be docked or undocked while
NIC (Network Interface Card) or USB (Universal Serial
Bus) cables are connected to the computer. NIC and USB
cables can be connected or disconnected while the
computer is docked.
■
When the computer is used with an Expansion Base in a
vertical stand, all features on the left side of the computer,
such as PC Card slots and eject buttons, USB ports, and the
RJ-45 jack (NIC connector) are inaccessible.
Docking Alternatives
You can set up your docking system to provide access to the
features you use by doing any of the following:
■
Create an alternative NIC connection by installing a PCI card
NIC in an Expansion Base or Convenience Base.
229045-002.book Page 10 Friday, September 21, 2001 11:16 AM
