Laptop Docking Stations

Transcription

1 Quick Reference Guide Laptop Docking Stations Laptop Docking Stations Laptop docking stations are replacing traditional desktop PC s in many parts of the trust. They allow users to connect their laptops to monitors, keyboards, mice and other devices and use them just like they would desktop computers. They encourage hot desking and the sharing of workstations as users can connect and use their own laptops instead of relying on generic machines, regardless of where they are choosing to work. Connecting a laptop to the docking station Docking stations should be very straightforward to connect a laptop to. They are compatible with most Southern Health devices. In order to connect a laptop to the docking station, you must first locate the port on the front of the station and the port on the back of the laptop. Port found on the front of a docking station

2 Port found on the back on a laptop Before connecting your laptop please ensure that it is switched off. Failure to do so may result in the connected mouse and keyboard not working. To connect a laptop to the docking station simply turn your laptop so that the port is facing downwards, align the ports and gently push down until your hear the laptop click into place. - Once the laptop has clicked into place, it is locked to the docking station and cannot be disconnected without following the steps listed below. Some laptops will have the port on the back of the machine, but in a slightly different location. If this is the case there may be an adjustment that needs to be made. At the top of the docking station, there is a switch. This will usually be slid over to the far left, as seen in the picture below. Adapter switch on a docking station If your laptop does not fit when you try to connect to the docking station, try sliding this switch to the far right, as shown below. This will make an adjustment to the docking station and may allow you to connect your laptop.

3 Adapter switch slid to the right. If the laptop still does not connect to the docking station then it may not be compatible. Laptop Power Switch Once the laptop is connected to the docking station, you do not need to open the lid. Instead, press the power switch located in the top right of the docking station. This will power on the machine and the desktop will be displayed on the monitor attached to the docking station. Power switch found on docking station Providing there is a keyboard and mouse connected to the docking station, you will now be able to use your laptop just as you would a desktop computer. If at any point you need to turn your laptop to standby, simply press the power switch one more time. This will not cause you to lose any of your work, but will put the screen in sleep mode. When you need to use the laptop again, press the power button again and it will wake the machine and prompt you for your windows login. Locking a laptop into the docking station It is possible (though not essential) to lock your laptop in place so that it cannot be removed from the docking station. In order to do this, look on the right hand side where you will you find a switch like the one in the picture below.

4 Locking switch on a docking station In order to lock the laptop to the docking station, slide the switch towards you so that it is closest to the icon of a closed padlock. When you wish to unlock the laptop from the docking station, slide the switch away from you, back towards to the icon of an open padlock. If this step has not been completed you will not be able to remove your laptop from the docking station. Removing a laptop from the docking station When you wish to remove the laptop from the docking station, you will need to locate the eject key. This is picture below and can be found in the top right of the docking station, just below the power switch. Press down firmly on this and your laptop will pop off the docking station and can then be removed. Eject switch on a docking station If you are unable to press the eject key, you will need to check that you have turned the locking switch (see above) to the unlock position.

5 Docking Station Ports and Sockets There are a number of ports that can be found on the left hand side and rear of the docking station. These are detailed below. In addition to these, you are also able to use any of the switches located on the sides of your laptop. Ports on the left hand side of the docking station There are 3 USB ports located on the left hand side of the docking station. These can be used to connect a keyboard and mouse and a number of other devices including digital cameras. There is also a socket for a set of headphones and another for a microphone (these can be found on the right hand side of the above image). Ports on the rear of the docking station At the rear of the docking station there are a number of other ports. These will not all be useful, but many may assist you in the way that you work. There is a Ethernet socket (pictured above in red) which will allow you to connect to the internet via a cable. In many places this will not be necessary if there is Wifi in the building. There are although 3 more USB ports which can be used as described previously.

6 More ports on the rear of the docking station You will find 2 different ports for connecting monitors to the docking station. These are both found in the red box in the picture above. The one on the left of the image is called a VGA port and is the most commonly used of the two. The one on the right of the image is called a DVI port and is usually used when two monitors need to used simultaneously. Finally there is a socket for the power cable, seen in the blue box in the picture above. The power cable comes with the docking station and ensures that the laptop runs off of mains power rather than draining the battery as you are using it.