After docking laptop I have to add port prior to printing

Try a power adapter with more amperage. When you connect a dock, the 3 amp adapter that comes with IBM laptops will not have enough power for lots of add-ons. You'll need the 4 amp adapter.

A docking station is an extension or addition of ports for a laptop computer. Once the portable computer is docked, you can access the docking station's ports, such as PS/2 or USB 2.0 ports, through your computer. Some docking stations have monitors that you can connect your computer to, placing your video on an external screen so you can turn off your computer's monitor and conserve some of your computer's energy. All Dell docking stations will have the same general troubleshooting steps.

Plug your laptop's power adapter into the docking station and dock your laptop onto/into the docking station. If there is no power going to your laptop from the docking station but it works when the power adapter is plugged into the wall, the docking station is bad and needs to be replaced. Plug your power adapter into the docking station and dock your laptop onto/into the docking station. If power goes on but your computer doesn't recognizes accessories such as a USB mouse--plugged into the docking station, try a different port on the station. If it works in a different port, the previous USB port is burned out. Plug your power adapter into the docking station and dock your laptop onto/into the docking station. If power is going through the docking station but no accessories are being recognized, you might have a corrupted docking profile. Undock the computer and dock it again once it has fully started up to reset the docking profile. Plug your power adapter into the docking station and dock your laptop onto/into the docking station. If you have an external monitor and it is not working, completely close the lid on the laptop so the image will move to the external monitor. Plug your power adapter into the docking station and dock your laptop onto/into the docking station. If power is going through the docking station but no accessories are being recognized and resetting the docking profile fails, update all drivers through Dell's support website and then re-dock the computer. Some of the software that runs the hardware may have become corrupted. Hope this helps

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Hi there,
you should try plugging from the output port of the laptop to the input port of the docking station, remember the source is coming from your laptop going to the docking station.
Now for the microphone once you have the settings right the line in jack should work properly.
Hope this helps!

Can you be more specific as to what port that you are trying to print from? Parallel ? If using serial port - Use serial null modem cable.

I would recommend that you undock the laptop, go into the Printers and Faxes console, and delete the printer. Then, dock the laptop, connect the USB cable to the dock and then re-install the printer through the dock. The USB ports on the laptop are assigned different hardware values than the PCI interface of the dock, and if the laptop is trying to print to a local USB port, it may not find the printer if it's connected through a PCI interface like the dock. That'd be my next move.

may be its problem *********** board. install another computer if you saw detect a new hardware so your printer is OK or no detect hardware devise then fault your printer mother board,replace it and buy a new mother board.
Best luck
xptareq2000
other help
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Need to buy a new USB to Parallel converter kit (is just a cable and a cd with the installation drivers) cost around $20

You need to check the plug that plugs into the laptop to determine that you don't have a faulty lead or plug. Test it with a multimeter and wriggle the plug to see if the voltage reading remains steady. If it doesn't then it could be the lead and this is easily repaired.
You may be able to borrow an adapter to test your laptop's connector.
If you determine the fault is with the laptop then problem is most likely the connector socket on the laptop, it most likely need re-soldering onto the motherboard, or needs to be replaced. This requires the laptop to be dismantled completely.

A docking station would solve your problem because the docking station has its own power connector and you plug the existing power adapter into the docking station.
My HP is connected to a docking station, the other advantage is that the docking station has several more ports than the laptop which is useful.

You can buy a cable that goes on your old printer cable to convert to USB most computer shop will hav these or can get one

I was having the same problem - the USB ports seemed to have stopped working so I could not use the mouse, keyboard, or printer, even though the monitors and power could still operate through the docking station. Finally, I just unplugged the docking station for 30 seconds, plugged it back in, and everything resumed working. I was surprised it was that simple, but it's working for the moment.