Solved! Cant connect a second monitor to my Dell XPS 15

[maninatux]

Hello,

I recently needed a second monitor to help with writing music on my Dell XPS 15 laptop. I found my family's old Veiwsonic VA2226w in the garage and thought i might use it. I then had to buy a D-Sub - hdmi cable so i could connect it to my laptop. Now unfortunately it doesn't detect the monitor at all. I've been in the display settings and pressed detect but it does not find the monitor. And when I turn on the monitor it says no signal, the screen goes black and the power button turns amber.

Please help. Thank you.

 

[Alabalcho]

You have to rule out the converter. Find a monitor having same interface as the laptop.

 

[maninatux]

You have to rule out the converter. Find a monitor having same interface as the laptop.

So what type of monitor would be best for my laptop?

 

[Alabalcho]

What kind of video out does your laptop have?

There are many Dell XPS laptops - some have VGA 15-pin DSUB, others have HDMI, some have DP (DisplayPort).

 

[maninatux]

What kind of video out does your laptop have?

There are many Dell XPS laptops - some have VGA 15-pin DSUB, others have HDMI, some have DP (DisplayPort).

My laptop only has a hdmi out. Here is a link to the specs http://www.dell.com/au/p/xps-15-9550-laptop/pd

 

[Alabalcho]

I suppose you are using this USB-C to HDMI adapter, right?
Get an ordinary HDMI cable, and try connecting the laptop to your TV first. Once this works, we can look at your HDMI->DVI cable for the monitor.

 

[maninatux]

I suppose you are using this USB-C to HDMI adapter, right?
Get an ordinary HDMI cable, and try connecting the laptop to your TV first. Once this works, we can look at your HDMI->DVI cable for the monitor.

I have done that previously. It does work when i connect to a tv with a hdmi cable.

 

[Blackink]

I use an HDMI cable, just a regular cable, nothing fancy. The laptop finds the second display instantly.
This is with Windows 10 Home for an OS.

 

[maninatux]

I use an HDMI cable, just a regular cable, nothing fancy. The laptop finds the second display instantly.
This is with Windows 10 Home for an OS.

Unfortunately my monitor is very old and doesnt have a hdmi input.

 

[WendyWeber]

I have a Dell XPS 15, until a while ago I had two external monitors connected and they worked fine. I use a StartechCom adapter for the second monitor. Now they replaced one of the monitors, now it doesn't work. My computer detects the monitor, shows in in the display configuration screen, but the monitor doesn't show video. It's a Dell monitor, I think it's brand new. I know my setup should work because it did with the previous monitor. Apparently, it does matter what monitor you use.

My laptop has Ubuntu.

 

[Alabalcho]

"They" - ask them to help you, or get back your previous monitor.
What kind of Startech adapter you have? What was the old monitor? What interface was used?

 

[mk_shukla_62]

Any external monitor having 24 pin DVI female can be connected with Dell xps 15 laptop. All you need is HDMI cable having DVI 24 pin male output on its other end connect this with external monitor and HDMI input with laptop and enjoy 2 monitors