T530 connected to Docking Station Audio Clicks before and last sounds

[WWhite]

So today I finally called Lenovo support.

Without further ado they involved lenovo onsite service (they'll call me for an appointment soon) so at least someone will personally check out the problem onsite and there should be a good chance that the problem is actually acknowledged and will eventually be fixed.

[Colonel O'Neill]

This happens to me occasionally with sounds from a VM. No docking station either.

[WWhite]

So today the technician called me to Set up an appointment for this Friday. He Said he'll swap the mainboard, i Hope it fixes the issue.

[WWhite]

Got a new Mainboard but the issue is still there.

Next up, Lenovo will swap my Docking Station but I have little hope this will fix the problem.

[tommysss]

Got a new Mainboard but the issue is still there.

Next up, Lenovo will swap my Docking Station but I have little hope this will fix the problem.

That just tells me they don't have a clue what is wrong.

[WWhite]

That just tells me they don't have a clue what is wrong.

Exactly.

Got a new Docking Station and.... drumroll..... it didn't help.

*sigh*

Contacted them again by email. Let's see if they have any more ideas left.

[tommysss]

Exactly.

Got a new Docking Station and.... drumroll..... it didn't help.

*sigh*

Contacted them again by email. Let's see if they have any more ideas left.

They need to esculate this to someone in engineering.

[Pintu]

I mentioned this in another thread today, but here are my two cents: I use three of the last generation Mini Docks (with USB2). One is the Mini Dock Plus, the other two are the normal Mini Dock. All docking stations exhibit absolutely terrible sound, while sound straight from the Laptop is fine. I can't exactly relate to "clicking" noises, it's more like a constant distortion and white noise. This appears both with a X220 and a T410.

I did not pursue this issue at all with Lenovo, because I prefer a simple USB Soundblaster Play on one desk, which has better signal than both docking station (that's not difficult) and the Laptop, and on the other desk I use a USB2Digital Soundcard. On the third desk I use only headphones connected directly to the Laptop.

So, all in all, assuming that you experience the identical problem that I have, there is no quick fix for it. The problem appears to be somewhere in the docking station (maybe it uses a crappy DAC?). I suggest grabbing a cheap USB soundcard off ebay. I paid $10 for mine and the signal is very good.

[WWhite]

That's a pragmatic workaround, thanks for the idea. Let's see what Lenovo suggests to do next.

But as backup plan, I guess that would be a viable solution.

[tommysss]

I have a Behringer UCA-202 an external usb sound card I use for equalizing my sub. It hooks up to an usb port and then to my 2.1 sound system.