Laptop Docking station without USB-C?

Not sure this is making it easier to understand :)

I'm stuck with Dell docking station. Corporate computer is locked down and will not accept drivers that aren't in the initial laptop load.

Getting that docking station to work on the desktop PC is the challenging part. Project will probably be put on hold for awhile, I have some other higher priority projects.

Boy, you are not kidding the "C" enhancement is a pain to understand.

"C" ports are backwards compatible so will work with older USB devices like 2.0 and even 1.1 speeds but it is the enhancements implemented on a "C" device that most likely will not function if plugged into a non "C" port.

A lot of new PC hardware now days have totally removed native USB1/2 speed port hardware and only have native USB3 port hubs, these ports simulate USB1/2 once the drivers have loaded. In this case, USB1/2 devices plugged into those ports are only available after the OS drivers have been loaded for the ports..

Makes using USB keyboard (USB keyboards and mice are USB1.1 compliant devices)and mouse a challenge while installing a OS from scratch! Not sure what these hardware designers are thinking when they do dumb things like that, since they removed the old PS2 keyboard/mouse ports support on top of that.

Fortunately W10 does include a generic USB3 device driver in the installer, older OS you have to do what is called "slip streaming" the proper USB3 port driver into the installer..

Ok, I think we are on the same page.Gd
You did teach me a bit about USB-C however
I have one computer with a C port and am getting a phone with C
I have NO devices that need or use C so I simply use the c-port, with the proper cable. to feed a printer and/or some radios
To me "C" is a PITA (Pain in the.....)
But I now see the advantage to it. Thanks to you

wa8yxm wrote:
This I understand IF I were ordering I'd take the time to find a C to USB-3 as that's the best his laptop has. if I'm reading his post correctly. the Dock wants to plug into a "C" port. but the laptop only has 2 and 3 ports like the one this laptop replaced This onew has 3 and C

Your miss understanding how the "C" version of a USB port works.

His new laptop has a USB3-C port and the OP also has a matching USB3-C port replicator for that new laptop.

OPs old laptop has a USB3-A version port. The USB3-C port replicator does not work on the old laptop that has a USB3-A port (they tried an adapter or cable that adapted to be able to plug into a USB3-A port.

USB3-C specs unlike USB3-A specs now includes actual HDMI video through the USB port. The Dell USB3-C laptop replicator is designed to use that HDMI data feed to make the video on the replicator to work. Think of as an HDMI extension cord built into the USB3-C port.

USB3-A port does not have HDMI data on it so therefore the USB3-C port replicator does not work.

The work around for this is to buy a generic USB3-A based port replicator. The generic USB3-A replicator will have a built in USB "video card" (same idea as the one that was posted above but replicator also has built in USB hubs) and will show up on the laptop device manager as a separate video card and addition USB port hubs.

Op can then use the generic USB3-A port replicator on both PCs.

I have run into this with some industrial PCs that had an extra add in PCI-E video card. It only worked in a PCI-E slot on that model only that was marked for that add in video card. You could use that slot for other PCI-E cards, but you could not put that card into any other PCI-E slots or in any other PCs.. In a nutshell, the MB of the PCI had two on board video ports, but only one port was connected to the outside world and if you wanted the second port you had to use that special add in card for that model..

Confusing? Yep.

But, OP can just buy a generic port replicator and put the USB3-C replicator in a drawer and forget about it.. They are not all that expensive and it will do the job that they need done.

If OP isn't wanting to buy a generic replicator, then buy the USB to video card that was posted and a separate USB3 expansion HUB, plug the printers and USB video card into the USB3 expansion Hub.. The just switch the USB hub input cable between PCs.. That is an uglier way than just buying a generic USB3-A port replicator but in fact is what the generic port replicator does do..

This I understand IF I were ordering I'd take the time to find a C to USB-3 as that's the best his laptop has. if I'm reading his post correctly. the Dock wants to plug into a "C" port. but the laptop only has 2 and 3 ports like the one this laptop replaced This onew has 3 and C

wa8yxm wrote:
There is no company that I know of called Adapters-r-Us but... there are many that could use that name

I think these are USB 2 adapters

Amazon of course

Those are simple "C" to "A" adapters for cables with USB-C connector and while they can be used, they are not capable of the enhancements of USB-C.

USB items tend to be "backwards compatible" up to a point. Devices built to take advantage of USB-C may not function as well or function at all as the OP has noticed with their USB-C docking station.

The OP has two possibilities if they wish to use their current USB-C port replicator on both PCs (and one PC doesn't have USB-C).

They either have to buy a USB3-A port replicator which will work on bot PCs or buy a add in USB-C port card (assuming a "desktop" PC that has an open slot).

Like THESE, however, those come with a new wrinkle, some special purpose features may still not be available through an add in card.

The OP is wanting to use a purpose built Port replicator for a Dell Laptop, that replicator may be depending on the PC BIOS and specific USB-C port hardware for that specific replicator to work 100% correctly.

USB3-C added in extra support for HD video which is not available on USB3-A or available on all USB3-C ports.

Read more HERE

This is highly confusing even for folks who are 100% up to speed on the latest hardware..

A generic USB3-A port replicator is the safest way to go and should take care of what the OP is wanting to do.

There is no company that I know of called Adapters-r-Us but... there are many that could use that name

I think these are USB 2 adapters

Amazon of course

philh wrote:
point is to use the exact same docking station, just move the plug from the laptop to the desktop

USB3-A docking station/port replicator with video..

HERE



I have used other Star Tech products, they seem to work well.

point is to use the exact same docking station, just move the plug from the laptop to the desktop

If you just want to connect extra monitors to your laptop, get an external USB3 video adapter similar to this one on Amazon.com.