Arch Linux

0BADC0DE

Member

From: Regnum Utriusque Siciliae

Registered: 2018-02-21

Posts: 341

TB4 docking station blocks my laptop boot

I recently switched from a USB3 docking station by Lenovo to a TB4/USB4 by Wavlink, as my i7 laptop has a TB4 port.
On the same docking station I sometimes attach an M4 MacBook Air.
Both work fine, with a single issue.

When I turn my laptop on with the TB4 station powered and attached, it gets stuck at the boot, doesn't display the boot logo and sits with a backlit black screen with fans on.
The only way to boot it is to turn it off, disconnect the docking station (or turn it off), boot at the logo and then attach (or turn on) the docking station.
I am not even able to pull the BIOS/UEFI menu.
The PC runs (obviously) Archlinux, but this issue happens far before the boot loader even kicks in so I would exclude any Arch/Linux-related issue.
The MacBook just works fine 100% of the times.

Is there any hint?

My laptop is a TuxedoComputers Infinity Book 14 S.
The cable should be a TB4/USB4 certified cable  with a "40 Gbps / 240W" sticker on it.
The docking station is a Wavlink "Thunderbolt 4 triple display Docking Station - Thunderdock Elite"  p/n WL-UTD45 Rec.a1.
If more details are needed for troubleshooting, just ask.

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Maybe Computers Will Never Become As Intelligent
As Humans. Surely They Won't Ever Become So Stupid.