Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking system and method for connecting a portable computer to a docking station and method for coupling the docking station to an external monitor and an external keyboard and a technique for customizing the hardware configuration in the docking station for optimum performance. In a preferred embodiment, the technique for customizing the program hardware in the docking station is capable of customizing common hardware in various docking stations.

Abstract: A method of configuring a mobile computer (H3) among different computer network configurations (N1, N2). In this method, the mobile computer is connected (18) to a first network medium in various steps. In one step, a network interface circuit (NIC) of the mobile computer is coupled to communicate with the first network medium. In another step, the mobile computer is configured to have an IP address allocated for the first network medium. Next, there is the step (20) of performing a program operation on the mobile computer to determine whether a dynamic configuration protocol is available on the first network medium. Another step performs a program operation to store an indicator in a storage resource of the mobile computer representing whether a dynamic configuration protocol is available on the first network medium.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking system having connection means for connecting a portable computer to a docking station, and means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to underlying software in the central processing unit (CPU) of the portable computer. In a preferred embodiment, the means for allowing a microprocessor in the docking station to talk to underlying software in the central processing unit (CPU) of the portable computer sets up and doses Windows applications, closes DOS applications, and closes files.