[plug] Xubuntu + Dell XPS + "thunderbolt" HDMI?

[Chris McCormick]

Hey all,

Just a quick update on this in case anybody else runs into a similar 
issue. Seems like Andrew was right about the first two not being 
Thunderbolt adapters, because it was third time lucky with this adapter:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Thunderbolt-3-USB-C-to-HDMI-Converter-4K-Type-C-Video-Adapter-For-MacBook-iPad/143147795551

I plugged it in and my desktop miraculously stretched onto the HDMI 
monitor. \o/

Cheers,

Chris.


On 8/5/20 2:58 pm, Chris McCormick wrote:
> Hi Geoff, and all,
> 
> Thank you very much for your helpful replies. Just a quick update. I 
> tried a different converter so the setup now looks like:
> 
> Monitor (HDMI F) -> HDMI cable -> HDMI-to-Thunderbolt-3 -> Laptop USB-C
> 
> However, still no dice. This is the converter I tried:
> 
> https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-C-Type-C-to-HDMI-Cable-4K-UHD-Adapter-For-Thunderbolt-3-Galaxy-S10-S9-Note-9/173026177895 
> 
> 
> I also tried a USB-C to DisplayPort one from Officeworks (which I 
> mentioned previously) which didn't work either, although there is some 
> action on dmesg saying something about a "billboard" whereas the 
> Thunderbolt one reports no messages anywhere that I can see, when I plug 
> it in.
> 
> I have one more converter coming by mail which I'll try.
> 
> Whatever happened to the good old days of staying up until 3:30am 
> editing XF86Config?
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Chris.
> 
> On 18/4/20 4:15 pm, Geoffrey Richards wrote:
>> HDMI (monitor) -> HDMI-to-DisplayLink -> DisplayLink-to-USB-C
>>
>> "USB-C to DisplayLink" converter cable
>> Hmmmm, i assume you mean DisplayPort, not DisplayLink
>> so i don't think this link is applicable.. 
>> https://www.displaylink.com/USB-C
>>
>> Chris, is this a more accurate representation of your setup?
>>
>> monitor hdmi--f> <m--HDMI_v?-to-DisplayPort_v?--m>
>> <f--DisplayPort_v?-to-USB-C--m> <f--Thunderbolt 3 port Laptop
>>
>> (note the USB-C protocol is a subset of TB3 - they both use the same
>> physical port - convenient but confusing)
>>
>> what res monitor? 1080p, 2K, 4K,
>> what refresh rate? 30/60Hz?
>> what version hdmi?
>> what version DisplayPort?
>> active or passive adapters?
>> so many variables...
>> you need to be an AV expert these days just to connect a monitor, LOL.
>> Can spend all day trying to figure it out.
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode_partner_specifications
>>
>> so.. it could be one of your adapters that is confusing and blocking the
>> signals
>> or
>> check the laptop TB3 chip driver for what protocols it supports.
>>
>> to troubleshoot i'd be simplifying the setup
>>
>> a single cable:
>> monitor hdmi--f>    <m--HDMI_v2-to-USB-c--m>     <f--TB3 Laptop
>> or
>> hdmi cable with adapter:
>> monitor hdmi--f>    <m--HDMI_v2--m>  <f--HDMI_v2-to-USB-C--m>   <f--TB3
>> Laptop
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Geoffrey Richards
>> geoff at 79.com.au
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: plug <plug-bounces at plug.org.au> On Behalf Of Chris McCormick
>> Sent: Friday, 17 April 2020 4:47 PM
>> To: plug at plug.org.au
>> Subject: [plug] Xubuntu + Dell XPS + "thunderbolt" HDMI?
>>
>> Hey all,
>>
>> In 2017 I bought a new laptop because my laptop stopped working after I
>> zapped it. After I got home from the shop I turned my laptop off and on
>> again and discovered it was still working *facepalm*. I put the new 
>> laptop
>> away for later.
>>
>> Fast forward to 2020 and I'm upgrading to my "new" laptop. I successfully
>> installed Xubuntu on it and then I went to plug my DisplayLink to HDMI
>> converter into it and found a weird looking port instead of the 
>> DisplayLink
>> port. The port on the new laptop looks like a USB-C port with a little
>> lightning symbol next to it. Apparently it's called "thunderbolt".
>>
>> So I went to Officeworks and bought a "USB-C to DisplayLink" converter
>> cable, came back to my office and plugged it in so that I have the 
>> following
>> cables/converters:
>>
>> HDMI (monitor) -> HDMI-to-DisplayLink -> DisplayLink-to-USB-C
>>
>> No dice.
>>
>> With my existing Dell XPS when I plug in the DisplayLink cable I get the
>> "Display: Configure screen settings and layout" app popup and I can
>> configure the second HDMI to be above the laptop screen.
>>
>> On the new laptop with these cables plugged in the display 
>> configuration app
>> can't see the monitor at all. I've tried all kinds of
>> turning-off-and-on-again, plugging things in in a different order etc.
>> but nothing i do causes the monitor to appear.
>>
>> Ideas?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Chris.
>>
>> -- 
>> My tech development newsletter:
>> https://mccormick.cx/
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> 

-- 
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