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    Dell XPS17 L702x mini displayport to DVI/VGA

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Fellwalker, Sep 20, 2011.

  1. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi. I have my new Dell laptop, and bought an adapter from ebay but it does not appear to be recognised. At least, nothing comes through it.


    Once plugged in I use Fn + F1 to set the display.
    In the NVIDIA settings, I can set an additional monitor when this adapter is plugged in, and change the screen resolution. It just does not show anything on my monitor. The monitor is plugged in, and the DVI to monitor works well from my desktop.

    I have tried setting it to clone and extend teh displays. All that happens is that the monitor goes to sleep for lack of a signal.

    Displayport is a standard, so any adapater should work. BUT, I notice that the Dell one from Startech is far more expensive.

    At present my additional screens are all VGA, 1280*1024, but I plan to get a new wide screen 1920*1080p before much longer.

    Has anyone got a working setup, and what adapter did you use?
     
    Fellwalker, Sep 20, 2011
    #1
  2. seeker_moc

    seeker_moc Notebook Virtuoso

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    Could you provide a link to what exactly your bought? mDP to DVI cables are fairly simple, and should work automatically. DP to VGA on the other hand, requires signal conversion (digital DP to analog VGA), so it's a bit more complicated.
     
    seeker_moc, Sep 22, 2011
    #2
  3. SpoiledK

    SpoiledK Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've purchased a mini display to HDMI from Buy.com for about $5 and running dual 24" monitors without any problem.
     
    SpoiledK, Sep 22, 2011
    #3
  4. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Dell XPS17 L702x; i7 2720M; 1TB; 8GB; 1080p AG screen; backlit KB; TV;
    The connector was mini DP to DVI, as I expected my next screen to have that connector. eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

    Laptop is Based on this :-
    The Dell Online Store: Build Your System
     
    Fellwalker, Sep 23, 2011
    #4
  5. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    So it can be done - great news. Where did it come from and is it available in the UK without $20 shipping charges?
     
    Fellwalker, Sep 23, 2011
    #5
  6. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for looking and commenting, but please could you follow up on your tantalising responses?
     
    Fellwalker, Sep 30, 2011
    #6
  7. otacon

    otacon Notebook Evangelist

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    Somewhat OT but I ran into huge issues playing Blu Ray disks on my Dell 24" LCD due to HDCP issues. I found it ironic that my HP DV7T played them just fine via HDMI but the XPS refused to. I tried everything I could but finally found a way via the Display Port. I bought a mini Display port to DVI-D cable and it worked. If anyone runs into similiar issues this cable from Amazon will do the trick...

    Amazon.com: 6Ft Mini DisplayPort to DVI Male Adapter Cable for Apple Macbook, Macbook Pro, iMac, Macbook Air, Mac Mini Laptop: Electronics
     
    otacon, Sep 30, 2011
    #7
  8. SuspiciousLurker

    SuspiciousLurker Notebook Geek

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    Another reason to go with DisplayPort is that it allows Optimus to keep working, thereby keeping fan noise and heat to a minimum.
     
    SuspiciousLurker, Oct 1, 2011
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  9. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unfortunately this is only for DVI-D i.e. DIGITAL, so it is no good for a screen with VGA (Analagoue). YOu can tell from the photo as well becasue it does not have the 4 normal pins around the long oblong pin in the DVI end of hte cable.
    And shipping to UK for electronics from Amazon US is $29.99, so even if it fitted my stated need, I could never justify spending 3 times as much to ship as to buy the thing. :(
     
    Fellwalker, Oct 2, 2011
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  10. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    DVI-D does not mean digital. DVI itself does...Digital Video Interface...

    DVI-D means dual-link, which allows for higher resolutions than plain DVI.
     
    madmattd, Oct 3, 2011
    #10
  11. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ooops. I was quoting from another forum where they had worked that out as a solution to why a particular cable was not working.

    So I am still no further forward in my desire to get my Dell connected at reasonable price to a second screen here in the UK.

    I do wish Dell had not gone for the mini port and stuck with good old VGA. At this rate accelerating the plan to buy a replacement monitor might be cheaper.
     
    Fellwalker, Oct 3, 2011
    #11
  12. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    Which of course is what they all want you to do (PC manufacturers, screen manufacturers, etc)...planned obsolescence and all.
     
    madmattd, Oct 4, 2011
    #12
  13. SuspiciousLurker

    SuspiciousLurker Notebook Geek

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    SuspiciousLurker, Oct 4, 2011
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  14. SpoiledK

    SpoiledK Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry, been awhile since I logged on here, but here is a link to the one I purchased for my dual monitor setup. I'm not sure how's that going to help you because it's to an HDMI output.

    Buy.com - New Mini DisplayPort DP to HDMI Adapter For MacBook Pro Air
     
    SpoiledK, Oct 4, 2011
    #14
  15. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    madmattd, Oct 4, 2011
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  16. Fellwalker

    Fellwalker Notebook Enthusiast

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    Fellwalker, Oct 6, 2011
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