Pavilion 15-cs2073cl Dual External Monitors (2023)

[Greengecko]

Hello,

I'm using two external 4K monitors and cannot get the desktop to extend across the two monitors -- I just get duplicate screens.  The most I can do is when the laptop is open, I can extend to both monitors, but the monitors are duplicated.  The Detect button does not detect the two monitors; it just sees them as one.  I'm using a CKLau KVM switch with a 1-in 2-out configuration with this laptop and another HP Envy, so I can share the dual monitor setup with both laptops.

I'm using the following hardware and cables:

• CKLau MST DisplayPort KVM Switch Dual Monitor 4K60Hz 2K@144Hz
  (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJR2M1CH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)
• Two JSAUX 8K DisplayPort 1.4 DP-DP Cables (8K@60Hz, 2K@240Hz, 4K@144Hz, 32.4Gbps) from the KVM to the two monitors
  (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZQM1SMT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1)
• HDMI-to-DisplayPort Active Adapter Cable with USB-A -- to convert the HDMI laptop signal to DP input on the KVM
  (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1719988-REG/iogear_g2lhddp02_active_4k_hdmi_to.html)
  For this I am using a USB-A to USB-C adapter, since the HDMI output from the laptop is right next to a USB-C port

The CKLau KVM has its own USB 3.0 port and dedicated keyboard and mouse ports.  I use a Logitech Universal Adapter for wireless keyboard and mouse, inserted in the keyboard USB.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[banhien]

@Greengecko 

The KVM switch won't work, it ONLY supports one monitor, not both at the same time.  The specs of your machine is

              https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c06294077

It ONLY has 1 hopeless USB 3.1 Type-C™ Gen 1 (Data Transfer Only, 5 Gb/s signaling rate) port which does NOT support Alt mode nor Power Delivery. You can NOT use it to

• Charge your machine,
• Connect to an external monitor with/without hub/dock/adapter (some hubs may have builtin chip to support this)

If you wish to connect 2 external monitors (only-total 3), you can use

• Monitor 1: HDMI direct cable,
• Monitor 2: Using a Displaylink Certified USB-A to HDMI adapter such as

                                     USB to HDMI Adapter

Regards

[Greengecko]

Thanks for that info.  But just to confirm, I'm using the HDMI as the output -- the USB-C side-connection is designed to provide the time stamp required for compatibility with DisplayPort connections.  The HDMI connection can't be extended to two screens?

[Greengecko · Accepted solution]

I found the solution -- as often the case, much simpler than expected.  I pulled out my old docking station:

https://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2423/usb3.2_gen1_type_a_or_c_dual_display_4k60hz_docking_station/

(The same as Plugable UD-6950)

I'm able to set both monitors to full 4K resolution, even though the laptop is a standard FHD 1920 x 1080 (see screenshot).  It only uses a single USB-A/B cable to the dock -- so much better, doesn't require any HDMI, USB-C, Ethernet none of that (and the power cable, of course).  The dock has an Ethernet connection, so that gets shared with whatever you connect to the dock.  Now I just plan to get a switch, so I can use this arrangement with two laptops.