HP laptops having display issues with VGA to DP adapters

drahlz

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Aug 25, 2014
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I have been working with HP on an issue with our HP Elitebook 840 G4's where the monitors will occasionally go black for a few seconds when connected through a docking station. This appears to only be an issue when using VGA to DP adapters (we have tried several including HP brand ones). We have roughly 300 computers and a majority of our current monitors do not have DP port connections, so replacing monitors is not an option. They have given us several driver update and suggested sending the machines in however it effects several so I don't suspect all of the machines are having issues. In the last email they send the following,

"I checked with my resources and gone through the case thoroughly. I would like to keep you informed that VGA to DP adapter will not work since VGA is analog input and DP is digital input. You can connect directly to the DP port or directly to the port on the docking station.
You cannot use the adapter and it will have issues."

This can't be the case can it? The dock does have 1 VGA connection on it but most people use 2 external monitors. Is there any way to get these to work without issue? HP has basically said they can't help any further and the adapter will not work.
 
Solution
My stock answer for this issue has always been to use an active adapter as the DP does not usually push any analog signal. Researching the adapter you used while it does not state it's an active adapter, within the description it does state:
Active Conversion
Compatible with AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Technology, this DP to VGA active adapter supports to hook up extended monitors to your computer for gaming or digital signage application.

I'm at a loss.


I have tried a variety including this one, https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VWCB587/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
however the issue seems to persist.

I had done several driver updates though and was not currently using the adapter I just linked so I will switch back to that one and see if there is any improvement. It just seems odd that none of the previous model laptops had issues considering they all use the same docking station.
 


The docking station has 1 VGA and 2 DP connections, however neither of my 2 external monitors has DP so one of them requires an adapter.
 
My stock answer for this issue has always been to use an active adapter as the DP does not usually push any analog signal. Researching the adapter you used while it does not state it's an active adapter, within the description it does state:
Active Conversion
Compatible with AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Technology, this DP to VGA active adapter supports to hook up extended monitors to your computer for gaming or digital signage application.

I'm at a loss.
 
Solution