Replaced 70+ PCs over summer, these PCs are having issues with multiple monitors.

[Llirrom]

Hey all,

 

My first job starting at this new school was to replace over 70 PCs to bring them in line with the Windows 11 specs, these were purchased through a local computer manufacturer before I started. They came with monitors and DP to HDMI cables which connect the monitors and HDMI to HDMI which connects to the SMARTBoards or 2nd monitors in office situations.

 

The issue is that these monitors are disconnecting sporadically. I've noticed that these PCs are not DP++ and we have been sent these passive DP to HDMI cables and I believe this be the cause:

 

 

The monitors have DP ports so I could buy a supply of DP cables, or I could purchase active DP to HDMI cables. I do feel like this is something the computer manufacturer should have picked up on when the order was placed, I'm just seeking a bit of advice as to whether you guys would bring it up with the manufacturer or buy the cables?

Edited January 28, 2025 by Llirrom

[PotNoodleTech]

I can't tell from your post - is it the old PCs that were bought before you started that you are having trouble with - or have you yourself bought 70 new PCs that that you are having trouble with?

[Llirrom]

Sorry, it's the 70 new PC's we purchased through a PC Manufacturer that we are having trouble with. They have DP ports but do not support DP++; so the passive DP to HDMI cables that came from the PC Manufacturer cause the monitors to time out.

[Oaktech]

Try some of the hdmi-dp benfei cables from Amazon or a job lot of DP-DP off ebay - I bought a box of 50 brand new ones for £25 and claimed them back.

[mavhc]

If they're not DP++ then a passive DP to HDMI cable shouldn't work at all.

 

Check if there's driver updates too

[Olliedawg]

Can confirm the benfei ones are ok - we use them & not had many issues at all

[MrEprise]

You have to be careful when converting DP to HDMI and back again as I've run into issues where the signal doesn't convert properly and some passive cables don't always work correctly.

 

Certainly converting from HDMI on the PC to DP on the monitor is the more troublesome conversion but the reverse can be a bit problematic as well.

[PotNoodleTech]

What make are the new PCs? I have been having intermittant issues with Lenovo PCs powering three displays (2 x displayport 1 x HDMI) which I have not got to the bottom of yet.

 

Your always better off using a native cable (rather than converters) so can't you use a HDMI > HDMI cable to power those screens, the PCs are bound to have 1 x HDMI out on them?

[Llirrom]

They're VeryPC's FLE-520AMA-W11PNSD. From the replies on this thread, I have ordered a "Thsucords DisplayPort Cable 0.5M, Certified Ultra Slim 8K 4K DP to DP 1.4 Cable,Flexible @ Thin Display Port Cable Support 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz 32.4Gbps for Laptop/TV/PC/Monitor" from Amazon to test just using a native cable, I had also gone through and checked the drivers were up-to-date when I thought this issue was just localised to a few PCs but it has been across all of the new PCs.

 

There's only one HDMI port which is taken by the SMARTBoards. I didn't realise converting between cables was so complex!

 

Thanks for the advice, all!

[DavR]

If it's VeryPC you bought from, they are usually pretty happy to do a bit of aftersales care with you, if you are having problems. They've been friends of this forum for years, and I think are probably lurking around somewhere.

 

If you find that a native DP-DP cable solves your issue, might be worth an ask and see if VeryPC have "a spare couple of boxes" lying around to help you out. Worst that can happen is they'll say no.

[Dos_Box]

Moving to the AV and Multimedia forum as the OP's issue is more in that problem space. Edited January 28, 2025 by Dos_Box

[Llirrom]

Ah thanks! That's really good to know, from the few interactions I had with them they have been really helpful. I will try the native cable solution and see if there's anything they can do to help.

 

Edit: Thanks for moving this. Sorry, I was unaware of the other forum!

Edited January 28, 2025 by Llirrom

[jmak]

It was an unusual decision to supply convertor cables especially as it's a more expensive option - but TBH we don't usually receive monitor cables with PCs. Cables usually come with the monitors.

 

Unless the cable type was specified in the order, I'd say you're pretty stuck with what you've got. For the price of the cables it's not worth the argument.

[Dos_Box]

Ah thanks! That's really good to know, from the few interactions I had with them they have been really helpful. I will try the native cable solution and see if there's anything they can do to help.

 

Edit: Thanks for moving this. Sorry, I was unaware of the other forum!

 

Don't worry, that's what we're here for

[chazzy2501]

I don't suppose the monitors have DP connectors? then a DP to DP would be best.. I'm surprised that the DP ports on the PCs are not ++ (any chance they are not labelled correctly), I assume the PC has one native HDMI also.

[Danp]

If it's VeryPC you bought from, they are usually pretty happy to do a bit of aftersales care with you, if you are having problems. They've been friends of this forum for years, and I think are probably lurking around somewhere.

 

If you find that a native DP-DP cable solves your issue, might be worth an ask and see if VeryPC have "a spare couple of boxes" lying around to help you out. Worst that can happen is they'll say no.

 

Agree with this, they are very helpful and I'm sure they can sort you out

[Llirrom]

The PC has one DP port and one HDMI port, the Monitors have one DP port and one HDMI port. I'm going to order a batch of DP cables once I have tested this with a single cable.

 

the PCs are definitely not DP++ as its only the DP logo stamped into the IO plate and not DP++.