Will a KVM or a Mix of Other Devices Help Sort out My Problem?

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  Switchblade88 on 19/05/2020 - 22:17

  Sounds like there's a compatibility problem there, which will take a lot of effort to troubleshoot…

  Simplest and cheapest solution is to manually move your displays over to the PC GPU. If you're not going to swap the work laptop in often, then you're set. Of course, it's almost guaranteed as soon as you do you'll need to swap it back again.

  Any reason you can't use your PC for work stuff? Then you don't need to swap anything ever. I've not been committed to any single device for years; as long as I can get on the net then I can access everything via the cloud - although as the designated IT admin I did set it up this way! This would mean you're not having to use the laptop except when mobile.

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    CaffeineCruiser on 19/05/2020 - 23:04

    Work provided laptop.
    Everything set up on that already and I prefer to keep my PC for my own personal use.

    At least when I shut off the work laptop - I am 100% off work.

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  wallet72 on 19/05/2020 - 22:22

  I had a similar issue. MY dock only started working after I installed DisplayFusion Pro - I am not pushing that as the only solution, but it worked for me.

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  resubaehtgnolhcs on 19/05/2020 - 22:36

  +1

  Judging by your pics, the issue is the cables

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  dragong87 on 19/05/2020 - 22:40

  +3

  this will add 2 more cables, but assuming the monitors have dual input what about one input from each monitor goes to the dock and one to the pc?
  You'll just need to change the monitor input each time you swap over and plug the dock into the PC for the mouse and keyboard.
  You'll get to use your PC GPU this way as well.

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    CaffeineCruiser on 19/05/2020 - 23:03

    Yeah, thanks. This sounds most logical or I might buy a USB switcher for the keyboard mouse.

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  Baa on 19/05/2020 - 23:04

  I always had grand dreams of doing this myself but it just became too unpractical or needed me to invest more money in a proper KVM switch rather than trying to jimmy the dell dock to do it. For a while I did have some extra cables running from my monitors and would run those through the dock but turned my very clean desk into a cluttery desk.

  I am lucky to have a house with two separate work stations so I have one set up for working and one set up for my home PC, I would like to do it all from my 'spot' but having the separation helps me focus on work a bit better (which has now become work from dining room table from laptop to keep eye on the kids while WFH).

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  brokenglish on 20/05/2020 - 02:59

  +1

  Usually there is a special driver to install on your PC to recognise the monitors attached to the dock (not plug and play). Have you looked at this?

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  dcuksuop on 20/05/2020 - 03:09

  Not all USB-C cables will work. Try the one that's working between laptop and hub, and use that between desktop and hub.

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    CaffeineCruiser on 20/05/2020 - 12:50

    Used the same cable that goes from my laptop to dock. Didn't work!

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  PTS on 20/05/2020 - 03:54

  Go to https://au.targus.com/pages/driver-support

  Install The required software for the dock. Should work.

  Had The same issue with a Dell usb dock.

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    CaffeineCruiser on 20/05/2020 - 12:50

    Just tried this. Didn't work :(

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  jimdotpud on 20/05/2020 - 10:00

  Have you installed the displaylink drivers on your desktop?
  i had a targus dock at work which would only detect the monitors after installing displaylink

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    CaffeineCruiser on 20/05/2020 - 12:50

    Just tried this. Didn't work :(

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  CaffeineCruiser on 20/05/2020 - 12:51

  So far nothing seems to work!
  Might need to look into a USB Switcher and a Displayport/HDMI Switcher.
  Seems to cost way less than an actual KVM!