Question What would prevent a VGA-to-HDMI adaptor from working?

[PaulKraemer]

Hi,

I have an older PC (PC1) running Windows 7 that has a VGA output.
I have a newer PC (PC2) running Windows 11 that has an HDMI output.

I have a monitor that has both an HDMI input and a VGA input.

This monitor works fine with PC1 when I use a standard VGA cable from the VGA output on PC1 to the VGA input on the monitor.

This monitor works fine with PC2 when I use a standard HDMI cable to go from the HDMI output on PC2 to the HDMI input on the monitor.

After verifying what I have stated above, I connected a standard VGA cable to the VGA output on PC1. Rather than connecting the other end of this cable to the VGA input on the monitor, I connected it to a VGA-to-HDMI adaptor and connected the HDMI end of this adaptor to the HDMI input on the monitor. The monitor briefly displayed a message that an HDMI connection was detected, but it quickly indicated that there was no signal. I verified that the source on the monitor was set to HDMI, but the monitor is still indicating there is no signal.

I tried this with two separate VGA-to-HDMI adaptors and got the same result.

Can anyone here tell me if there is a reason why this shouldn't work? The reason I am hoping to make this work is I would like to buy a KVM switch so that I can share this monitor between two PC's. I think it will be easier to find a KVM switch that supports HDMI as opposed to VGA.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[USAFRet]

I connected it to a VGA-to-HDMI adaptor and connected the HDMI end of this adaptor to the HDMI input on the monitor.

Link to the exact adapter you have?

 

[kanewolf]

Link to the exact adapter you have?

And adapters are uni-directional. Make sure you have a VGA -> HDMI rather than an HDMI -> VGA ...

 

[TerryLaze]

The reason I am hoping to make this work is I would like to buy a KVM switch so that I can share this monitor between two PC's.

Two different PCs?
Because if you mean the two you are talking about then you can just get a km switch leave them connected as is and just switch the monitor input manually.
So you have to press two buttons instead of just one, so what, many monitors will even automatically switch to the active input.

 

[PaulKraemer]

Hi USAFret, Kanewolf, and TerryLaze - thank you for your replies.

Kanewolf is correct. I have an HDMI to VGA adaptor, not an VGA to HDMI. I did not realize these are unidirectional.

I think TerryLaze's idea of just using a KM switch and switching the monitor input manually would work for me. I'd be happy just not to have two keyboards and two mice on my desk.

Feel free to tell me if I should start this as a new topic, but is there a KM switch you would recommend that works well with a wireless keyboard and mouse?

I appreciate your help!

Best regards,
Paul