• mysticgreg
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    5 months ago

    Is it a DisplayLink-based dock, does it need the DisplayLink driver installed (and the utility running) to drive both screens over USB?

    Common issue with docks at our hotdesks here at work.

    • just_kitten
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      5 months ago

      Hmmm, doesn’t look like it is. I installed the DisplayLink driver and have the utility running anyway, but it doesn’t seem to be making much of a difference. I think it might be the USB-C port for this laptop, it might be an older one that can’t support the thoroughput of 2x 1080p monitors at 60Hz for some reason?

      E: The dock (Belkin INC014) does support Display Port Alt Mode, and obviously it worked on other laptops, so I’m thinking it’s really this older laptop that’s got an issue.

      • mysticgreg
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        5 months ago

        Damn!

        Ah well, like you say, at least one monitor is better than none.

        • just_kitten
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          5 months ago

          Yeah. I’m spending too much time going down rabbit holes about what the cause is (maybe it’s because the processor doesn’t support DP 1.4? Is it the port? I don’t know!)

          Worst case if I need two screens, the laptop itself has a 17" screen so that’s not so bad. Just takes up a heap of space and isn’t at the right height. I don’t do that much work on this laptop atm so I’ll survive. At least the dock generally works, last time I tried using a USB-C dock with this a few years ago nothing worked.

          • Duenan
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            5 months ago

            This sounds stupid but do you have to toggle it to dual display on the laptop itself or go through the display settings?

            • just_kitten
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              5 months ago

              Just display settings. The keyboard button for toggling multiple displays does basically the same thing (choice of extending, duplicating, etc)

              I can technically run two external screens by plugging one monitor into the laptop’s HDMI port, but that kind of defeats the point of a port :( don’t think I’ll do it unless I really need to.

              • Duenan
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                5 months ago

                Hmm I’m not sure how it really works through the dock to be honest.

                What happens when you put it into extending the screen option?

                • just_kitten
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                  5 months ago

                  It extends onto the laptop’s own screen (which is pointless as the laptop is closed)… Ah well, I’ve simply accepted that I can only use one monitor with this particular laptop via the dock. It’s too complicated for me to understand!

                  • Duenan
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                    5 months ago

                    What model dock are you using if I may ask?