Different startup config for a Thinkpad when it's docked?

[Geeyoff]

Hi. I've got a Lenovo T60 and a docking bay -- er, an "essential port replicator." Is there some way to make the computer recognize upon boot-time or windows startup that it's connected to the dock? I'd like my login procedure and network connection to be dependent upon whether or not it's docked.

Specifically, when the computer's docked, I'd like it to automatically log me into windows, and to use the ethernet connection for the internet. When it's *not* docked, I'd like it to require a login and to use the wireless card.

Thanks for whatever tips you can share.

 

[fbrdphreak]

IIRC, the "Essential Port Replicator" is just a port replicator with lots of features, not an actual dock. At least that's how it is on my T42. Windows doesn't actually recognize you as being docked, it just recognizes all the new ports.

Do you have an "undock" option in Windows when it is docked?

 

[Geeyoff]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Do you have an "undock" option in Windows when it is docked?

No, I don't an "undock" option. Is there some kind of hack where I could make the port replicator be recognized like a real dock? (I guess I don't really know enough to understand WHY windows wouldn't see it as a dock - after all, it redirects video to the external monitor, instead of sending it to the laptop's screen...)

 

[fbrdphreak]

Windows doesn't recognize it because of how the dock is designed, it just isn't designed to function as a full dock. It quite literally is an Advanced Port Replicator. I haven't seen a hack for that, but your best resource is going to be http://forum.thinkpads.com.

 

[Geeyoff]

Ok, well, c'est la vie... For me, it's not worth the additional 200-or-so-bucks to get the actual dock in order to add this kind of convenience.
Thanks for your help, though.