Issues with Dell XPS 9560 and Usb-C docking station

LukMas

Hi!

Some months ago I've started to have some minor issues with my Dell XPS 9560 and the monitor connected to the Usb-C docking station (model is https://i-tec.pro/de/produkt/c31dualdockpd-3/).

In the last weeks, however, the things have become really wild. Now, if the system goes into Lock mode (I don't use hibernate or suspend) I need also up to 15 (really!) minutes before it comes back. And most of the times the monitor connected to the docking station is in suspend mode. Sometimes I just switch off and on again the system, but this solution doesn't really solve the ground problem.

Anyway, if I disconnect the docking station, the extra monitor (I use 2, one in the docking and the other directly connected into the notebook) and the usb expander (before it was connected to the docking station, now to the notebook, but it changes nothing: the problem is still there), the system wakes up in some seconds. But, as long as I connect the extra monitor, it slows down and it "thinks" for a bit (up to some minutes) what it should do with this new device. Then, when I connect the docking station, the mess starts again: keyboard and mouse are almost dead; no picture in every monitor; system blocked up to 15 minutes. Sometimes, after disconnecting and then connecting everything, switching off and on the docking station makes the things faster (faster, not working: it still needs some minutes to realize that the devices are there, and after I always need to activate the monitor connected to the docking station). But it's not always the case. Sometimes it's just not working at all and I need to restart all.

In the last days I've noticed that the problem arises also just when the monitors go into Power-Safe mode. So, even without Lock, the wake up isn't really working.

Could someone help with this? Has someone an idea of why this mess happens?

I use the latest kernel.
The NVidia board is enabled (I suppose, I can't check it in the BIOS) but no drivers are installed.
All the packages are updated (today in the morning, normally every Monday).

brent

LukMas Now, if the system goes into Lock mode (I don't use hibernate or suspend

I bought my partner a docker for her lenovo. what is lock mode? if you have no hibernate of suspend how does it freeze?

got no easy answers but I saw a weird clue in the English version of the literature you provided (https://i-tec.pro/en-us/produkt/c31dualdockpd-9/).
it reads:
"Additional Important Information:
Apple notebooks can be only be connected to a single monitor. Mac OS does not support MST. Dual display transmission is supported by Thunderbolt 3 docking stations. The video transfer is not supported via the USB-C 3.1 (Gen. 1) port. This function is not supported by USB-C docking stations but is supported by Thunderbolt 3 docking stations. Not all devices/systems with USB-C interface support the full standard functionality. Please ensure that your USB-C device supports DP alt mode and USB Power Delivery."

If you have a dell laptop with windows (likely) running Solus on a self-called 'universal' dock...and I know you don't have a Mac....but this info is interesting, no?

LukMas

Thank you for the reply!

I bought my partner a docker for her lenovo. what is lock mode? if you have no hibernate of suspend how does it freeze?

I... have no idea. Not a clue.
I can just say this. I've got the notebook in 2017, together with the docking station. During the years I've tried several times, but then I've understood that the docking station over USB-C can manage 2 monitors only if they have both a max resolution of 1920x1080. This means that my DELL, with a resolution of 2560x1440, should be connected alone to the docking. So anyway I've to use the docking output and the extra port of the notebook to drive 2 monitors (one with 2560x1440 and the other with 1920x1080).
About the docking station, at the beginning it was working only if directly connected at the startup. With a hot connection no device was recognized.
One year later (or even more), also this feature started working and the docking station had no problems at all.
Around a year ago I've started to have some problems with the LTS kernel and the CPU, so I moved to the CURRENT one. Problems were: sometimes the system started and the CPU (all 8) had a usage about 20%, without any current activity; sometimes the fans started to run without stop because the CPU has a usage of 80%, or even more, again without any current activity; sometimes Budgie needed up to 15, 20 seconds to start, then the system was super slow and the only solution was a reboot. I've posted about this here. Anyway, with the CURRENT kernel all this was cleared.
Unfortunately in the last months I've started to have the problem with the monitors: at the beginning it wasn't so bad, but actually it turns me crazy. If I've to go away for some minutes, it's faster to shut down and restart the notebook than locking it.

I suppose is something related to the kernel. Maybe is related to the NVidia card. I've found this links online:

Anyway I'm a bit scared to disable it or manipulate its configuration because it's my office notebook. But I suppose I should give it a try. The actual situation is not sustainable anymore.

brent

LukMas Its good you have it narrowed down to kernel & nvidia. It's a shame the situation has devolved over time instead of worked out. Law of unintended consequences when its comes to patches and upgrades? I don't know either.