Thread: Laptop dock with PCI slot

I have a question about powering an IBM R51 laptop I intend to use as my car pc. I have purchased two docks to utilize the power switch on them

The basic dock, a ThinkPad Mini-Dock, only supplies the basic outputs and needs DC power, which can come from a Carnetix laptop PS.

The better solution, a ThinkPad Dock II, provides the basic outputs, in addtion to 2 PCMCIA slots, a modular drive bay, and a PCI Slot!!!! It is the PCI connector I am excited about, as it exponentially increases the potential for adding peripherals, such as better sound, video, etc. I know USB provides these, but the PCI slot should have much lower overhead.

The problem is that the Dock II takes its power from the portion of the cord prior to the brick on the laptop, meaning it requires AC power. I assume that within the dock, it must be converted to DC power.

Is it possible to bypass the internal power supply of the dock and power it using the Canetix? Will the PCI slot still work? Should I just try it and get back to this forum?

Thanks, Marc