Hey, everyone. I've got some hardware problems to solve since I've received my new Dell desktop PC and my new HDMI-based KVM switch. For the past couple years, I've been KVMing between these two PCs with a VGA-based KVM switch:
1. my old Dell PC with Kubuntu
2. my work Asus PC with Win10/11
My VGA-based KVM works with up to 2 PCs that have VGA and USB ports. It runs. However, I've just bought a new Dell PC with much more memory, and I'm stuck. I plan to put Kubuntu on the new Dell and to put Windows 10 back onto my old Dell. The work Asus PC will remain the same. I then wish to KVM between these three machines, and maybe add a fourth machine later (possibly a Mac).
My Goal:
Be able to KVM between these three PCs:
1. my new Dell desktop, that I put Kubuntu onto
2. my old Dell PC, which I've restored Windows 10 onto
3. my work Asus PC for which my job mandates Windows 11 (and nothing but work software is allowed)
Problem ONE
I cannot even use my new Dell yet. It won't work with my 17” Dell monitor whose only video part is VGA. The new Dell PC has an HDMI port and something I hadn't heard of before called a “display port” (see image at end of post).
Thus, I assume the solution is either to get a new monitor that has an HDMI port, a display port, or both – or get some kind of adapter that converts one of those over to VGA. Right?
Problem TWO
I can't use this new KVM switch as is for these three PCs. The video ports on the three PCs are as follows:
my new Dell PC -- has 1 HDMI port & 2 Display ports
my old Dell PC -- has 1 HDMI port & 1 VGA port
work Asus Win 11 PC -- has no HDMI port, has 1 VGA port, & has 2 display ports
My new KVM switch is this one:
4K HDMI KVM Switch 4 Ports for 4 Computers Share One HD 4K Monitor, 3 USB Devices Keyboard Mouse Printer, 2 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Including 4 HDMI Cable and 1 Remote Controller
I'm thinking some solutions might be as follows:
Plan A
1. Get a new HDMI-based monitor
2. For the work PC, get an adapter that will convert either the VGA or the Display port to HDMI
Plan B
Same as Plan A, except don't replace monitor. Instead, get an adapter that will convert HDMI to VGA so that I can keep using existing monitor.
Plan C
Return KVM switch and order a different one. Is there some kind of KVM switch that can handle multiple video types?
Am I on the right track? I need to move quickly because both the new computer and the KVM switch have a 30-day return policy with New Egg, and about two weeks have already gone by.
I know I got myself into a pickle, and I appreciate any help solving this problem. Thanks.
Addendum:
This is my new Dell desktop:
Dell Optiplex 7040 Tower, i7-6700 Quad Core upto4.2 Ghz, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM, 4K UHD 3-Monitor Support, 2x Display Port, HDMI, DVDRW, Windows 10 Pro, WiFi, Keyboard and Mouse Included
Here's the photo of what I'm told are known as “Display Ports.” The picture is from my work Asus PC.
1. my old Dell PC with Kubuntu
2. my work Asus PC with Win10/11
My VGA-based KVM works with up to 2 PCs that have VGA and USB ports. It runs. However, I've just bought a new Dell PC with much more memory, and I'm stuck. I plan to put Kubuntu on the new Dell and to put Windows 10 back onto my old Dell. The work Asus PC will remain the same. I then wish to KVM between these three machines, and maybe add a fourth machine later (possibly a Mac).
My Goal:
Be able to KVM between these three PCs:
1. my new Dell desktop, that I put Kubuntu onto
2. my old Dell PC, which I've restored Windows 10 onto
3. my work Asus PC for which my job mandates Windows 11 (and nothing but work software is allowed)
Problem ONE
I cannot even use my new Dell yet. It won't work with my 17” Dell monitor whose only video part is VGA. The new Dell PC has an HDMI port and something I hadn't heard of before called a “display port” (see image at end of post).
Thus, I assume the solution is either to get a new monitor that has an HDMI port, a display port, or both – or get some kind of adapter that converts one of those over to VGA. Right?
Problem TWO
I can't use this new KVM switch as is for these three PCs. The video ports on the three PCs are as follows:
my new Dell PC -- has 1 HDMI port & 2 Display ports
my old Dell PC -- has 1 HDMI port & 1 VGA port
work Asus Win 11 PC -- has no HDMI port, has 1 VGA port, & has 2 display ports
My new KVM switch is this one:
4K HDMI KVM Switch 4 Ports for 4 Computers Share One HD 4K Monitor, 3 USB Devices Keyboard Mouse Printer, 2 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Including 4 HDMI Cable and 1 Remote Controller
I'm thinking some solutions might be as follows:
Plan A
1. Get a new HDMI-based monitor
2. For the work PC, get an adapter that will convert either the VGA or the Display port to HDMI
Plan B
Same as Plan A, except don't replace monitor. Instead, get an adapter that will convert HDMI to VGA so that I can keep using existing monitor.
Plan C
Return KVM switch and order a different one. Is there some kind of KVM switch that can handle multiple video types?
Am I on the right track? I need to move quickly because both the new computer and the KVM switch have a 30-day return policy with New Egg, and about two weeks have already gone by.
I know I got myself into a pickle, and I appreciate any help solving this problem. Thanks.
Addendum:
This is my new Dell desktop:
Dell Optiplex 7040 Tower, i7-6700 Quad Core upto4.2 Ghz, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM, 4K UHD 3-Monitor Support, 2x Display Port, HDMI, DVDRW, Windows 10 Pro, WiFi, Keyboard and Mouse Included
Here's the photo of what I'm told are known as “Display Ports.” The picture is from my work Asus PC.
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